Sheikh Hamad dies at 74
Sheikh Hamad dies at 74
Sheikh Hamad dies at 74
Qatar's former emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has died at the age of 74, according to the country's top government body, the Amiri Diwan. The announcement was made on Sunday morning.
Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 until 2013, when he voluntarily abdicated, handing power to his son, the current emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. During his reign, Qatar underwent a significant transformation, emerging as a major global player.
Sheikh Hamad was born in 1952 into the Al Thani family, which has ruled Qatar since the mid-19th century. He attended the United Kingdom's military academy, Sandhurst, and became commander of Qatar's armed forces and defense minister. In the late 1970s, he was named crown prince and came to power in a bloodless coup in 1995, deposing his father while he was abroad.
Under Sheikh Hamad's leadership, Qatar leveraged its large natural gas reserves to become one of the top producers and exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The country's economy flourished, and Qatar became one of the wealthiest countries in the world. The emirate also launched the Al Jazeera news network, which gave Qatar an outsized voice in Arab politics and projected its influence far beyond the Gulf.
Sheikh Hamad's foreign policy carved out a role for Qatar as a mediator, brokering talks in conflicts from Lebanon to Yemen and Darfur, while maintaining ties with the United States, Iran, and groups aligned with it.
One of Sheikh Hamad's most consequential partners in Qatar's modernization drive was one of his wives, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who fostered a public profile that was rare for a Gulf ruler's wife. Sheikha Moza's influence rose alongside his efforts to reposition the state at home and abroad, advancing a parallel agenda in education, research, and social development.
Sheikh Hamad's abdication in 2013 was intended to ensure a smooth succession and minimize discord within a ruling family with a long history of palace intrigue. He himself seized power from his father in a bloodless coup in 1995.
During his reign, Qatar Airways grew into a top international carrier, and the Qatari capital city, Doha, became a major transport hub. Sheikh Hamad also presided over Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Sheikh Hamad's name is also borne by a hospital in Gaza City, and under his reign, Qatar began paying hundreds of millions of dollars to fund projects in the Gaza Strip.
