Qatar's Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani laid to rest in Doha

Qatar has entered a four-day period of official national mourning following the death of the Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at the age of 74. The Amiri Diwan announced the passing of the former leader on Sunday morning, though no cause of death was disclosed.

The funeral ceremony for the former ruler was held at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque in Doha following the Maghrib prayer at sunset on July 12. The service was characterized by its simplicity, with mourners in traditional dress standing in rows to pray over the shrouded body. Following the prayers, the current Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, participated by helping to carry his father’s coffin. The late leader was then laid to rest at the Lusail Cemetery.

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In accordance with state protocol, flags across the country will fly at half-mast throughout the mourning period. The Amiri Diwan announced that Sheikh Tamim will receive condolences from heads of state, members of the ruling family, and dignitaries.

A Transformative Era

Sheikh Hamad’s reign, which lasted from 1995 until his rare, voluntary abdication in 2013, is widely credited with defining Qatar’s modern statehood. After assuming power in a bloodless palace coup in 1995, he shifted the country's trajectory by prioritizing the development of massive natural gas reserves. By 2006, Qatar had established itself as the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), a foundation that allowed the nation's GDP to grow more than 24-fold during his tenure. This economic expansion funded the establishment of the Qatar Investment Authority, which acquired international assets including Paris Saint-Germain and Harrods.

His tenure was marked by a commitment to international visibility and a desire to move the nation away from its historical anonymity. He established the Al Jazeera media network in 1996. According to Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani, the director general of Al Jazeera Media Network, the late leader envisioned the organization as a beacon of truth and a voice for the marginalised across the world. Reflecting on the impact of these changes, Abdulla Banndar Al-Etaibi, an assistant professor in International Affairs at Qatar University, stated that Sheikh Hamad worked really hard to turn Qatar from a normal country into a prominent and extraordinary country.

Legacy and Regional Impact

Sheikh Hamad’s foreign policy often balanced complex relationships, including the maintenance of ties with the United States while simultaneously engaging with Iran and various regional factions. His administration brokered talks in conflicts ranging from Lebanon to Sudan’s Darfur region and maintained a prominent, often controversial, role during the 2011 Arab Spring. His efforts to secure and host the 2022 FIFA World Cup further cemented the country’s global footprint.

Domestically, he oversaw the 2004 promulgation of a permanent constitution and introduced municipal elections that allowed women to participate as both voters and candidates. In 2013, he abdicated the throne to his son, Sheikh Tamim, who was then 33. Following the announcement of his death, condolences were offered by numerous global leaders, including the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who described the passing as a collective loss.