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Amiri Diwan announces 4 days of mourning.. Gulf leaders send condolences to Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad

Arabian Gulf

Riyadh - Al Arabiya.net

Published: July 12, 2026: 11:40 AM GST Last updated: July 12, 2026: 9:34 PM GST

The Qatari Amiri Diwan announced the death of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away on the morning of Sunday, July 12, 2026, at the age of 74.

In an official statement, the Amiri Diwan mourned the "great national figure," praying to God to grant him vast mercy and forgiveness, to admit him into paradise, and to reward him for his great contributions and deeds to his nation and the Arab and Islamic world, and to grant patience and solace to the ruling family, the Qatari people, and the Arab and Islamic nations.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is considered one of the most prominent leaders who contributed to the development and modern renaissance of Qatar, before handing over power in 2013 to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The late emir was born in 1952 in the Qatari capital Doha, where he was raised and educated. He later joined the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Britain, graduating in 1971. Upon his return, he joined the armed forces and rose through the ranks to become a major general, strengthening the Qatari armed forces at the time, according to the Qatar News Agency.

At the same time, the Qatari Amiri Diwan declared public mourning across the country for the "great national figure," Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, for four days starting from today, with work suspended in ministries, other government bodies, and public institutions from Monday. Flags will be flown at half-mast throughout the mourning period.

Today, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani led the funeral prayers for his father at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque, after which the late emir was buried in Lusail Cemetery.

Highlighting aspects of the late emir's biography, he was named crown prince and defense minister in 1977, and on May 10, 1989, he became head of the Supreme Planning Council, responsible for formulating the country's social and economic policies.

He assumed power on June 27, 1995, and began implementing development and reform programs, leading to a qualitative developmental leap in the country, with a comprehensive renaissance encompassing education, health, sports, culture, media, and infrastructure.

According to the Qatar News Agency, during the era of the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa, the country witnessed a tremendous leap in the energy and economy sectors. The North Field achieved a production boom, and liquefied natural gas exports began in 1996, rapidly increasing national income. By 2006, Qatar became the world's largest exporter of LNG, and by 2010, its production capacity reached 77 million tons annually, according to the same agency.

Meanwhile, Gulf leaders and Arab and international figures mourned the passing of former Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, expressing their heartfelt condolences to Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the ruling family, and the Qatari people.

Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Prime Minister, sent cables of condolence to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, on the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, former Emir of Qatar.

King Salman's condolence cable read: "We learned with deep sorrow of the death of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, former Emir of Qatar - may God have mercy on him - who gave much to his nation and people. We extend to Your Highness, your family, and the brotherly Qatari people our deepest condolences and sincere sympathy. We ask God Almighty to envelop him in His vast mercy and forgiveness, admit him into His spacious paradise, and grant you patience and solace. May God protect you from all harm. Indeed, we belong to God and to Him we shall return."

The Crown Prince said: "I received with profound sadness and grief the news of the death of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, former Emir of Qatar - may God have mercy on him - who played a prominent role in the development and prosperity of sisterly Qatar. I extend to Your Highness and the family of the deceased my warmest condolences and sincerest sympathy, asking the Almighty God to envelop him in His vast mercy and forgiveness, admit him into His spacious paradise, and reward him for his service to his people and nation. May God protect you from all harm. He is All-Hearing, All-Answering."

The British monarch, King Charles, also noted that Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa dedicated many years of his life to serving his country and led Qatar through a significant period of transformation in its history.

Meanwhile, the Emirati Presidency Office declared mourning for the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the father of the Emir of Qatar, and ordered flags flown at half-mast at all official departments within the country, its embassies, and diplomatic missions abroad for four days starting Sunday and ending Wednesday.

Similarly, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Sultan of Oman, sent a cable of condolence to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, expressing his sincere condolences and sympathy to the Emir and the Qatari people.

The Kuwaiti leadership also sent a cable of condolence. Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad sent a condolence cable to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, expressing deep sorrow and grief, and extending heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to Sheikh Tamim, the ruling family, and the Qatari people over the passing of the late emir.

Similarly, the Bahraini Royal Court announced that, by order of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, a decision was issued declaring official mourning and flags at half-mast in the Kingdom of Bahrain for four days starting Sunday, mourning the death of the late former Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

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