Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani Dies at 74

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, the former ruler of Qatar who transformed the country into a significant global player in diplomacy and energy production, has died at age 74. The Amiri Diwan announced his death but did not provide a cause.

The funeral ceremony took place after the daily evening prayer in Doha's Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque, with close family members including his son and successor Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani carrying the former emir's body out of the mosque. According to Al Jazeera, Sheikh Hamad was buried in a simple grave at Lusail Cemetery north of Doha.

The Amiri Diwan declared a four-day period of public mourning starting Sunday, with government work suspended and flags lowered to half-mast. During his 18-year rule from 1995 to 2013, Sheikh Hamad oversaw Qatar's rapid economic growth as its GDP increased more than 24-fold.

Under Sheikh Hamad's leadership, Qatar became the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by 2006. He established Al Jazeera media network in 1996 and acquired Harrods department store in London. His tenure also saw the adoption of Qatar's permanent constitution in 2004, which introduced municipal elections granting women the right to vote.

Sheikh Hamad visited Gaza Strip in October 2012, becoming first Arab leader to do so since Israel imposed blockade six years earlier. According to Al Jazeera, Khaled Meshaal described Sheikh Hamad as 'the first Arab and Muslim leader to visit Gaza'. The former emir also implemented projects in education, health, scientific research, and sports during his tenure.

The founding of Al Jazeera News Channel by Sheikh Hamad stands as a defining geopolitical and cultural milestone. Launched in 1996, the channel ended the states’ monopoly on broadcasting in the Middle East and challenged the hegemony of Western media in shaping the region’s narrative. Within a few years, Al Jazeera had grown into one of the world’s most influential media organisations and in July 2005, it officially became known as Al Jazeera Media Network.

The network's director general mourned its founder, praising his unprecedented boldness in reshaping the region’s media landscape. Sheikh Hamad recognised the power of the word and the vital role of free and independent media in shaping societies and enlightening minds. The foundation for this media revolution was laid well before Al Jazeera’s first broadcast.

Al Jazeera quickly broke the Arab world’s reliance on Western agencies for news, deploying correspondents to the field to tell stories as witnesses to events. Despite all the challenges and threats, the late emir’s vision became a reality and the Al Jazeera Media Network became a global brand.

Leaders from around the region and across the globe have been visiting Qatar to pay their condolences on Sheikh Hamad's death. According to Al Jazeera, dignitaries such as Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, and Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah of Kuwait have offered their condolences.

The current Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has been receiving dignitaries at the Lusail Palace. The list of visitors includes high-ranking officials from countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Kurdish region of Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Morocco and Libya among others.

International leaders have also come to pay their respects. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia were among the first to offer condolences on Monday morning at the palace. Other notable visitors include FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who offered his condolences at Lusail Palace.