Sheikh Hamad, who ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, was a key architect of the energy-rich country’s development.
Published July 12, 2026
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Updated: 6 minutes ago
The father of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, died at the age of 74, the country’s Emir Divan said.
“With a heart that firmly believes in God’s decree and destiny, Amiri Diwan mourns the great loss to the nation of the late – may God have mercy on him – His Highness Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away this morning,” Amiri Diwan said in a statement on Sunday.
Sheikh Hamad, who ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, was a key architect of the energy-rich country’s stunning development.
During his reign, the country experienced economic, social and cultural development that strengthened its status in the international community.
Qatar’s political influence today extends to North Africa, the Middle East and Asia. In 2022, Qatar hosted the men’s World Cup, the most watched football tournament in the world. Sheikh Hamad received rapturous applause from the fans attending the opening match.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani waves to crowds arriving for the groundbreaking ceremony for a Qatari-funded rehabilitation center in Gaza City, October 23, 2012. (Hatem Moussa/Pool via Getty)
During his tenure, the international broadcaster Al Jazeera was founded in 1996.
His tenure also saw the promulgation of Qatar’s first permanent constitution in 2004 and the introduction of municipal elections in which women were allowed to vote and stand as candidates.
In 2013, he handed over power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, then 33, in a rare abdication by a hereditary ruler of the Gulf Arab states.
More to come…