Former Qatar ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dies aged 74
Former Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has passed away at the age of 74. The nation has declared a four-day mourning period, with government offices suspended as the country honors the leader who modernized Qatar's economy and global influence.
Why it matters
The death of a former head of state in a major energy-exporting nation is a significant geopolitical event with implications for regional stability.
Former Qatari ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at the age of 74.The Amiri Diwan, Qatar's official administrative office, announced his death on Sunday morning, writing in a statement: "With hearts full of faith in God’s decree and destiny, the Amiri Diwan mourns the passing of the nation’s great leader.""May God have mercy on him, His Highness the Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away this morning," it added.Sheikh Hamad is the father of Qatar's current ruler, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and was the emir from 1995 to 2013.He was known for having helped bring about huge economic, social, and cultural change in Qatar during his reign and establishing the nation as a global player in diplomacy and investment.Born in 1952 in Doha, Sheikh Hamad went on to study at the UK's Royal Military College, Sandhurst.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in