Asia12 July, 20262 min read
Qatar’s Father Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani Laid To Rest In Doha
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Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani died at age 74. Amiri Diwan issued official mourning for the late leader.
Father Emir Laid to Rest
Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, described as the architect of Qatar’s transformation into an ultra-wealthy modern nation, was laid to rest in Doha after his death at the age of 74. The announcement came on Sunday morning, and his simple funeral ceremony was held after the daily evening prayer at sunset at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque in the capital.
Afterwards, close family members including his son and successor as emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, carried his body out of the mosque, and Sheikh Hamad was laid to rest at the Lusail Cemetery north of Doha. Al Jazeera’s Zein Basravi said the ceremony was “a humble event” and that Sheikh Hamad was “buried in a simple grave,” adding that the simplicity reflected how the father emir carried himself in his life.
Tributes and Mediation Legacy
The African Union paid tribute to Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani as a visionary leader, with African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf saying the former Qatari ruler’s commitment to diplomacy, peace and Africa-Qatar cooperation left a lasting legacy. In a condolence message issued on behalf of the African Union Commission, Youssouf said the African Union stands with Qatar during its period of mourning and prayed that Allah grants the late Father Emir eternal peace while giving strength to his family and the people of Qatar.
Youssouf said Sheikh Hamad would be remembered for transforming Qatar into “a prominent global actor” through dialogue, mediation and diplomacy, and for strengthening Qatar’s engagement with African countries through cooperation in development, peacebuilding and diplomacy. In Doha, Qatar’s Amiri Diwan announced a four-day period of public mourning from July 12 to 15, with flags flying at half-mast and ministries, government agencies and public institutions closed from July 13.
Qatar’s Modern Renaissance
Qatar’s Father Emir legacy was also framed through his role in building modern institutions and expanding Qatar’s international presence, with Gulf Times quoting Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani describing the passing as the loss of the leader of Qatar’s modern renaissance. Sheikh Khalifa said he prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the Father Amir “the highest place in Paradise,” and he described the Father Amir’s “far-sighted vision” as launching an ambitious national development journey across economic, social, educational, healthcare, cultural, and infrastructure sectors.
The Qatar News Agency reported that editors-in-chief and media leaders reviewed the journey of HH the late Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and the national renaissance he achieved across politics, the economy, security, media, social affairs and sports. In that QNA account, Abdullah Talib Al Marri of Al Raya said the legacy left by HH the late Father Amir represents a major turning point in the history of modern Qatar, and he said HH the late Father Amir established a comprehensive national project that elevated the country through a far-reaching strategic vision.