Qatar has laid to rest its former leader, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir who transformed the small Gulf nation into a global economic and political power. Sheikh Hamad, who ruled Qatar from 1995 until 2013, was buried on Sunday, July 12, 2026, following a simple Islamic funeral ceremony held at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque in Doha. The 74-year-old former emir’s funeral was attended by family members, officials and mourners who gathered to pay their final respects. His son and successor, the current Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, joined close

Qatar has laid to rest its former leader, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir who transformed the small Gulf nation into a global economic and political power. Sheikh Hamad, who ruled Qatar from 1995 until 2013, was buried on Sunday, July 12, 2026, following a simple Islamic funeral ceremony held at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque in Doha. The 74-year-old former emir’s funeral was attended by family members, officials and mourners who gathered to pay their final respects. His son and successor, the current Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, joined close relatives in carrying his father’s body after the prayers before he was laid to rest at Lusail Cemetery. Despite leading one of the world’s wealthiest nations, Sheikh Hamad’s final farewell reflected the simplicity of Islamic tradition, with his burial taking place in a modest grave. The man behind Qatar’s transformation Sheikh Hamad is widely remembered as the leader who reshaped Qatar’s future through strategic investment in the country’s vast natural gas resources. During his 18-year rule, Qatar experienced rapid economic growth, with its GDP increasing more than 24 times as the country became the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by 2006. His leadership helped turn Qatar from a relatively small Gulf state into an influential global player with strong economic, diplomatic and cultural influence. Building Qatar’s global influence Beyond economic development, Sheikh Hamad expanded Qatar’s role on the international stage. His era saw the country become a key mediator in regional and global conflicts while building strong diplomatic relationships worldwide. Qatar hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a historic event that placed the country at the centre of global attention and showcased its ambition and development. Legacy of Al Jazeera One of Sheikh Hamad’s most significant contributions was supporting the creation of Al Jazeera Media Network in 1996. The network later grew into one of the world’s most influential media organisations, changing the landscape of news broadcasting in the Arab world and internationally. Al Jazeera Director General Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani described Sheikh Hamad as the visionary behind the institution’s foundation, saying he believed journalism was a mission and that free media was an important right. A historic handover of power In 2013, Sheikh Hamad made a rare decision among hereditary Gulf leaders by voluntarily transferring power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who became emir at the age of 33. The peaceful transition was seen as a significant moment in Qatar’s modern political history. As Qatar mourns the passing of the Father Emir, many remember Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani as the leader who laid the foundation for the country’s transformation into a modern, wealthy and globally influential nation.

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