World Leaders Mourn Former Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa

The Amiri Diwan announced the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Amir and former ruler of Qatar, on Sunday, July 12, 2026. He died at the age of 74. Sheikh Hamad ruled from 1995 until June 2013, when he voluntarily abdicated the throne to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. He is credited with transforming Qatar from a small Gulf state into a global powerhouse in energy, media, and diplomacy, overseeing the expansion of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector and the founding of the Al Jazeera network.

Qatar declared a four-day period of national mourning with flags flown at half-mast and government operations suspended. International responses were widespread; India, Pakistan, and Lebanon also declared official mourning periods. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as a visionary leader and true friend. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan praised his contributions to regional stability, while Hamas called him a great national and Arab leader, citing his 2012 visit to Gaza.

Diplomatic delegations visited Doha to offer condolences to the current Emir. These included Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who conducted a day-long visit on July 13, and representatives from Singapore. India dispatched Union Minister Kiren Rijiju to Qatar on July 14 to deliver official condolences. Tributes from leaders in the UAE, Morocco, Azerbaijan, and Seychelles highlighted his role as a mediator in regional conflicts and an architect of modern Qatar.