Istanbul / Anadolu

Qatar bid farewell on Sunday to former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani at his final resting place, after a grand funeral in the capital Doha.

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani performed the funeral prayer for his father on Sunday at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque, the main mosque in the capital.

According to a live broadcast of the funeral ceremony, aired by Qatar's state television and followed by Anadolu correspondent, large crowds gathered at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque.

The Emir carried the body of his father, the former Emir, inside the mosque and led the front rows of mourners.

Later on Sunday evening, the Amiri Diwan (the Emir's office) stated in a statement that the former Emir was laid to rest.

According to the statement, the Emir of Qatar participated in 'the funeral procession of the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, may God have mercy on him, at Lusail Cemetery today.'

Also participating in the funeral were officials including Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani, the Deputy Emir; Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir's Personal Representative; Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman; and Shura Council Speaker Hassan Al Ghanim.

Also taking part in the ceremony were the children of the late Emir, ministers, senior officials, and crowds of citizens, praying to Almighty God to grant the former Emir His vast mercy and to dwell him in His spacious paradise, according to the same statement.

On Sunday morning, Qatar announced the death of its former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani at the age of 74, according to a previous statement from the Amiri Diwan.

The statement indicated that Emir Tamim bin Hamad will receive condolences from heads of state, the ruling family, dignitaries, and citizens at Lusail Palace on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, during the morning period from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m. local time (05:00 to 08:30 GMT), and in the evening from after Asr prayer until Isha prayer.

Later, the Amiri Diwan announced a four-day general mourning in the country starting Sunday, and suspension of work in government bodies and institutions from Monday, with flags to be flown at half-mast throughout the mourning period.

Qatar received condolences from Turkey and Islamic and Arab countries, and several countries declared mourning and flags at half-mast.

In 1995, Sheikh Hamad assumed power, and handed over the reins of government on June 25, 2013, to his then-Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the current Emir of Qatar.