Nation Mourns: Funeral of Former Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Underway in Doha

BREAKING: The funeral of former emir HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani begins in the Qatari capital, Doha, with senior officials, dignitaries and citizens in attendance to pay their respects. https://t.co/zWMp38nYZf News Analysis & Summary The state funeral for HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar, has commenced in Doha, drawing senior officials, regional dignitaries, and thousands of citizens to pay their final respects. Sheikh Hamad, who abdicated in 2013 after an 18-year reign, was widely credited with transforming Qatar from a modest Gulf state into a global powerhouse of diplomacy, energy exports, and media influence through ventures like Al Jazeera and Education City. The ceremony reflects the deep respect he commanded both domestically and internationally. In my opinion, his passing marks the end of a transformative era; his bold vision and strategic acumen not only reshaped Qatar's economy and global standing but also set the stage for the country's modern identity. His legacy of modernization and independent foreign policy will be studied and remembered for decades. Source: @AJENews on X/TwitterPublic Engagement Views: 40,572 Likes: 255 Comments: 19 Shares: 45 Published: July 12, 2026, 4:12 pm