Qatar Mourns the Passing of Former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani at 74; Nation Holds Solemn Funeral Prayer

Qatar holds funeral prayer for former Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who died at the age of 74, at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd Al Wahhab Mosque in Doha.#Qatar https://t.co/QiBwVsBJyg News Analysis & Summary The State of Qatar has entered a period of mourning following the death of its former Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who passed away at the age of 74. A solemn funeral prayer was held in his honor at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd Al Wahhab Mosque in Doha, drawing dignitaries, members of the royal family, and thousands of citizens who came to pay their respects. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, a transformative era during which he oversaw the nation's rapid modernization, economic diversification through natural gas exports, and the establishment of Al Jazeera as a global media powerhouse. He voluntarily abdicated in favor of his son, the current Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, a rare act of peaceful succession in the region. In my opinion, Sheikh Hamad's legacy is one of visionary leadership that catapulted a small Gulf state onto the world stage, balancing tradition with ambitious reforms. His death marks the end of an era, but his contributions to Qatar's identity and prosperity remain indelible. The nation now reflects on his achievements while looking ahead under the guidance of his successor. Source: @AlArabiya_Eng on X/TwitterPublic Engagement Views: 4,556 Likes: 14 Comments: 2 Shares: 4 Published: July 12, 2026, 6:23 pm