Former Qatar Ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Passes Away at 74

Former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who ruled Qatar from 1995 until abdicating in favor of his son in 2013, has passed away at the age of 74, according to a statement released by the Emir’s office on Sunday.

Source: cdnph.upi.com

The Amiri Diwan, the office of the Emir of Qatar, announced the news of Hamad’s death in a statement, but did not disclose the cause of death. The statement also declared a four-day mourning period in Qatar, starting from Sunday, during which flags will be flown at half-staff throughout the country.

During his rule, Hamad oversaw a period of rapid development in Qatar, driven in part by a liquefied natural gas export boom that began in 1996. By 2006, Qatar had become the world’s largest LNG exporter, with a capacity of 77 million tons per annum by 2010.

Hamad’s leadership was marked by significant investment in the country’s infrastructure, education, and healthcare systems. He also played a key role in Qatar’s emergence as a major player on the global stage, hosting several high-profile international events, including the 2006 Asian Games and the 2011 UN Climate Change Conference.

Hamad’s decision to abdicate in 2013 in favor of his son, Tamim bin Hamad, was seen as a significant moment in Qatar’s transition to a new generation of leaders. The move was widely seen as a sign of the country’s growing stability and the confidence of its leadership in the country’s future.

Reactions to Hamad’s passing have been pouring in from world leaders, with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney offering their condolences to the Al Thani family and the people of Qatar.

Sharif described Hamad as a ‘great leader and a distinguished statesman whose wisdom, foresight and dedication to serving his people contributed to transforming the State of Qatar into a modern, prosperous nation respected on the global stage.’

Carney extended his ‘deepest condolences’ to the Al Thani family and the people of Qatar, praising Hamad’s leadership and his role in shaping Qatar’s role on the global stage.

Reactions from World Leaders

Foreign leaders have been quick to offer their condolences to the Al Thani family and the people of Qatar, praising Hamad’s leadership and his role in transforming the country into a modern, prosperous nation.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described Hamad as a ‘great leader and a distinguished statesman whose wisdom, foresight and dedication to serving his people contributed to transforming the State of Qatar into a modern, prosperous nation respected on the global stage.’

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney extended his ‘deepest condolences’ to the Al Thani family and the people of Qatar, praising Hamad’s leadership and his role in shaping Qatar’s role on the global stage.

As the world mourns the passing of Sheikh Hamad, it is clear that his legacy will continue to shape the future of Qatar and its people for generations to come.