Former Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Dies at 74

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar, died on 12th of July 2026, at the age of 74, the news was announced by the Qatari authorities. Sheikh Hamad is popularly known as the man who built the modern state of Qatar, he transformed the country into one of the wealthiest economies in the world because of his productive development of its enormous gas reserves, global investments, and numerous reforms.

Qatar Confirms Its Former Emir is Dead

An official announcement was made by the Emir’s Office with the confirmation that Sheikh Hamad is dead, expressing condolences on the passing of a key figure in Qatar’s history.

According to the source, prayers will take place on Sunday evening, followed by several days of mourning in Qatar.

In this regard, Qatar has decided on the following measures,

Lowering flags
Closing all government facilities
Interrupting the work in the public facilities
Holding mourning events in the country.

Moreover, the announcement created a wave of reactions from leaders all around the globe.

Who Was Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani?

From 1995 until 2013, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was the Emir of Qatar.

He came into power in June 1995 with the help of a coup against his father Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani when the latter was away from the country.

During that time, Qatar was still a tiny oil-drilling country with tapped-out oil reserves. However, during Sheikh Hamad’s jurisdiction, it became an economically advanced state and one of the biggest liquefied natural gas producers worldwide.

Transforming Qatar into a Global Energy Powerhouse

One of the greatest achievements of Sheikh Hamad was the development of Qatar’s natural gas sector.

His regime has,

Developed North Field gas reserves
Promoted international energy partnerships
Increased LNG production and supply
Diversified national economy
Built up sovereign wealth investments

These projects helped Qatar become one of the biggest exporters of liquefied natural gas and raise national income significantly.

The resulting prosperity allowed for the financing of large-scale infrastructure developments, education programs, and worldwide investments.

Qatar’s Influence on the Global Stage

Sheikh Hamad’s vision was not just limited to the oil and gas industries; it extended to other domains.

Under the Shahid Sheikh Hamad’s leadership, Qatar’s role as an important player in politics, media, and finance was formulated and solidified.

Al Jazeera’s Inauguration

In 1996, the satellite TV channel Al Jazeera was established in Qatar, which turned it into one of the most influential news networks in the world, giving the country more importance on the global stage.

Qatar Investment Authority Establishment

Sheikh Hamad’s role in establishing the Qatar Investment Authority helped in formation of this country’s sovereign wealth fund.

2022 FIFA World Cup and Controversy

The hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup is regarded as one of the pinnacle moments of the Sheikh Hamad leadership. The announcement of the event was made in 2010.

This event propelled Qatar to the forefront of global attention and set in motion investments in the,

Airports Stadiums
Roads
Underground trains
Tourism infrastructure

But there were multiple controversies surrounding this tournament.

Allegations Connected with the Bidding

The bidding process was accompanied by the allegations of corruption while subsequently the investigation vindicated the chosen country.

Labour Rights Issue

Several human rights organizations have been raising concerns about the situation of the migrant workers who are engaged in the process.
The reports indicate thousands of deaths of the migrant workers in years that followed after the World Cup awarding although Qatari authorities say that not all of the dead workers were connected with the construction projects connected with the World Cup, while many of them worked in other industries.

Human Rights Criticism

Furthermore, Qatar was criticized internationally for the labor reforms, the rights of workers, and laws on same-sex relationships.
These points remained as in the center of attention throughout the preparation for the tournament.

Tributes from Global Leaders

People from all around the world sent their condolences after the death of Sheikh Hamad.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla

Britain’s monarch and Queen has applauded Sheikh Hamad for his decades of distinguished service to the public.
They called the Sheikh Hamad’s leadership, vision and commitment to the wellbeing of the Qatari people highly respected around the world.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered the Sheikh Hamad as an extraordinary leader who brought Qatar unprecedented prosperity and development.
He also recalled his meeting with the former Emir during his trip to Qatar in February 2024, calling him an old friend of India.
India has also announced a day of national mourning in honor of Sheikh Hamad.