Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un
“Indeed, to God we belong, and to Him we shall return”
His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Father Emir of Qatar, passed away on 12 July 2026, corresponding to 27 Muharram 1447 AH, at the age of 74. Funeral prayers were held at the Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab Mosque in Doha, followed by burial at Lusail Cemetery.
The Architect of Modern Qatar
Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 until his historic abdication in 2013, when he handed the throne to his fourth son, the current Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. Educated at Britain’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he rose through senior military and government posts before assuming power in a swift, bloodless transition. Over the following 18 years, he transformed a modest, largely overlooked Bedouin emirate into one of the wealthiest nations on earth per capita, harnessing Qatar’s vast natural gas reserves to build a global investment powerhouse. Through the Qatar Investment Authority, the country acquired landmark assets including London’s Harrods and the French football club Paris Saint-Germain, while Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport grew into major crossroads linking East and West.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani (1952–2026)
His most enduring legacy, arguably, was the 1996 launch of Al Jazeera, which redefined Arabic-language broadcasting and gave the Muslim world an influential voice on the global stage. His ambition also secured Qatar the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup—the first Muslim and Arab nation to do so—a vision he had first floated, almost improbably, over dinner with FIFA’s then-president Sepp Blatter, at a time when few believed it realistic.
A Steadfast Friend to Palestine
Among Sheikh Hamad’s most cherished legacies within the Ummah was his unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause. In October 2012, he became the first head of state to visit Gaza, pledging $400 million toward housing, infrastructure, and reconstruction—a visit so significant that Gaza’s radio stations played songs of gratitude to Qatar. He went on to host mediation efforts between rival Palestinian factions, and more broadly positioned Qatar as an indispensable diplomatic bridge across the Muslim world, from Sudan’s Darfur crisis to the Afghan peace talks.
Those who knew him in his youth remember a man of natural charisma and quiet discipline, first evident on the football pitch, where he captained his boyhood team with a firm hand. Colleagues recalled his warmth, humility, and openness—qualities that shaped both his domestic leadership and Qatar’s expanding role on the world stage.
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received huge crowds of mourners at the Lusail Palace in Doha to offer condolences on the death of the Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani © IMAGO / Amiri Diwan
A Legacy Remembered
Tributes from across the Muslim world converged on a shared portrait: a visionary who built modern Qatar from limited beginnings, and a statesman remembered with particular gratitude for his humanitarian legacy—above all, his support for Palestinians and his role as a regional peacemaker. Western leaders, for their part, tended to emphasise his statesmanship and decades of diplomatic service.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz said Sheikh Hamad had “devoted himself to serving Qatar and its people”, while Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman praised his “prominent role in the progress and prosperity” of the country. In the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, called his passing a “collective loss”. King Abdullah II extended condolences on behalf of the Kingdom of Jordan and expressed solidarity with Qatar, and Jordan’s Royal Court announced a four-day mourning period in honour of the late Emir. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to his “visionary leadership” and contributions to “regional peace and cooperation”, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan honoured his role in forging one of Ankara’s closest regional partnerships.
Tributes from across the Muslim world converged on a shared portrait: a visionary who built modern Qatar from limited beginnings, and a statesman remembered with particular gratitude for his humanitarian legacy—above all, his support for Palestinians and his role as a regional peacemaker.
Beyond the Muslim world, Britain’s King Charles III recalled his “distinguished service” and widely admired leadership, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described him as a leader of “extraordinary vision, courage, and deter-mination” who “gave [Qatar] a voice and prestige far beyond its borders”.
Our Condolences
Sheikh Hamad leaves behind a Qatar transformed—economically, diplomatically, and in its standing within the Ummah and the wider world. May Allah envelop him in His vast mercy, forgive his shortcomings, and grant him a place among the righteous in Jannah. May He grant his family, and the people of Qatar, patience and solace in their loss. Ameen.
