Doha (WDN) – Qatar is mourning the passing of its former ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir and architect of modern Qatar, who died on Sunday at the age of 74. His death was officially announced by the Amiri Diwan, the Emir’s office, marking the end of a transformative era in the Gulf state’s history.
Sheikh Hamad served as Emir of Qatar from 1995 to 2013, overseeing one of the most remarkable national transformations in the modern Middle East. Under his leadership, the once modest Gulf nation emerged as a global economic powerhouse, diplomatic player, and influential media hub.
His tenure was defined by the rapid expansion of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas industry, which propelled the country to become one of the world’s wealthiest nations on a per-capita basis. He also championed ambitious infrastructure projects, expanded Qatar Airways into a leading international airline, and launched Al Jazeera in 1996, a news network that reshaped the Arab media landscape and significantly increased Qatar’s global influence
Among his most enduring legacies was Qatar’s successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a landmark achievement that placed the small Gulf nation at the center of global attention and showcased decades of investment in infrastructure and international engagement.
In a rare and widely praised move for the Gulf region, Sheikh Hamad voluntarily abdicated the throne in 2013, peacefully transferring power to his son, the current Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The orderly succession was viewed as an unprecedented example of planned leadership transition in the Arab world.
His death comes at a time of heightened regional security tensions, prompting an outpouring of condolences from leaders and citizens across Qatar and beyond. Tributes have highlighted his pivotal role in transforming Qatar from a relatively small Gulf state into a country with outsized influence in global diplomacy, energy markets, international investment, and media.
For many Qataris, Sheikh Hamad’s legacy will be remembered not only for the nation’s extraordinary economic growth but also for laying the foundations of the modern Qatari state—one that became a prominent voice in regional affairs and an increasingly influential actor on the world stage.
WardheerNews and multiple sources