Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Qatar declared four days of national mourning for the death of former Emir and Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who died at the age of 74.The Amiri Diwan announced that the mourning period began on Sunday, July 12.
During this time, national flags across the country will be flown at half-mast in honor of the former governor.As part of the official mourning arrangements, work in ministries, government departments, public bodies and state institutions will be suspended as of Monday, July 13, and employees are scheduled to resume their work on Sunday, July 19.Sheikh Hamad led Qatar from 1995 to 2013, and is widely credited with overseeing the country’s transformation into a leading regional and global economic power.
His reign was marked by significant investments in infrastructure, economic development, and reforms that strengthened Qatar’s international standing.During his 18 years in office, Qatar adopted its first permanent constitution in 2004 and held municipal elections that gave women the right to vote and compete for seats. His tenure also coincided with major international events and diplomatic milestones, including the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, the 2012 UN Climate Change Conference, the Doha Agreement, and the Doha Agreement between Fatah and Hamas.In 2013, Sheikh Hamad voluntarily handed over power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, becoming one of the few Gulf rulers to step down in favor of his successor during his lifetime.
