DOHA — Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani died at the age of 74. The Amiri Diwan announced his death on Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Doha, prompting an outpouring of tributes from global leaders and national mourning in several countries.

Funeral prayers for Sheikh Hamad were held Sunday evening in Doha. Flags across Qatar were flown at half-mast, and government offices and public institutions were closed as a mark of respect. The Bureau of the Emir issued a statement saying, “The Bureau of the Emir mourns the great loss to the nation of the late, may God have mercy on him.”

Sheikh Hamad was born in Doha in January 1952 and graduated from the British Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. In 1977, he became commander of Qatar’s armed forces and defense minister. He assumed power in June 1995 following a bloodless coup that removed his father, Sheikh Khalifa, from the throne. He ruled Qatar from 1995 until 2013, overseeing a period of significant transformation for the Gulf state.

During his tenure, Qatar launched Al Jazeera in 1996, establishing a major media presence across the Arab world. The nation promulgated its first permanent constitution in 2004 and introduced municipal elections that granted women the right to vote and run as candidates. By 2006, Qatar had become the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas. Sheikh Hamad also founded the Qatar Investment Authority, which later acquired stakes in global enterprises including Harrods department store and the Paris Saint-Germain football club.

In 2010, Qatar was awarded the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The preparations involved hiring 30,000 foreign laborers to build stadiums. A 2021 report indicated that approximately 6,500 migrant workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka had died since the World Cup bid was awarded. Sheikh Hamad also pursued an active foreign policy, meeting Israel’s then-foreign minister Tzipi Livni at the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 and visiting the Gaza Strip in October 2012.

On June 25, 2013, Sheikh Hamad abdicated in favor of his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who was 33 years old at the time. During his abdication speech, Sheikh Hamad said, “The future lies ahead of you, the children of this homeland, as you usher into a new era where young leadership hoists the banner.”

International leaders responded swiftly to news of his death. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Sheikh Hamad as “a visionary leader who led Qatar to great levels of development and prosperity.” Modi added, “We remember him also as a true friend whom I had the honor of meeting during my last visit to Qatar in February 2024.” India declared a national day of mourning and canceled all entertainment events during the period.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim all extended condolences to Qatar’s leadership and people. British monarchs King Charles and Queen Camilla paid tribute, stating that Sheikh Hamad had “dedicated many years of distinguished service to Qatar” and that his leadership was “widely admired, both within Qatar and around the world.”

Why It Matters

Sheikh Hamad’s nearly two-decade rule marked a defining era in Qatar’s modern history, during which the nation emerged as a major global player in energy, media, sports, and diplomacy. His policies laid the foundation for Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and reshaped its international profile amid regional upheaval, including the Arab Spring. His death closes a chapter for a generation of Gulf leadership that prioritized rapid modernization and strategic autonomy.