Former Qatar Emir and Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at the age of 74.The Amiri Diwan announced that Sheikh Hamad passed away on the morning of July 12. In a statement, it prayed for Allah’s mercy upon him and praised his lasting contributions to Qatar and the wider Arab and Islamic world.Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 until 2013, a period marked by rapid economic growth, infrastructure expansion and a growing international profile for the energy-rich nation. His leadership oversaw sweeping social, cultural and political changes that helped reshape the country’s global standing.Among the major milestones during his tenure were the adoption of Qatar’s first permanent constitution in 2004 and the introduction of municipal elections, which allowed women to vote and contest seats for the first time. His years in office also coincided with the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, the 2012 UN Climate Change Conference, the Doha Agreement, the Fatah-Hamas Doha Agreement.In 2013, Sheikh Hamad stepped down from power and transferred leadership to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who was 33 at the time. The voluntary transfer of power was considered an uncommon move among hereditary rulers in the Gulf region.The Amiri Diwan described Sheikh Hamad as a leader whose service left a lasting impact on the nation, honouring his role in Qatar’s development and expressing condolences following his death.
