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The former emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, died today at the age of 74. This was announced by the Emir’s Diwan, recalling the passing of the man who led the country from 1995 to 2013 and who surprised the Arab world by voluntarily abdicating in favor of his fourth son, the current Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Having come to power in 1995 in a bloodless palace coup that deposed his father, Sheikh Khalifa, Hamad inherited a small, peripheral emirate with limited resources, transforming it into a major player on the regional and international scene. Within a few years he laid the foundations for the rapid development of Qatar, making it one of the world’s largest producers of liquefied natural gas. A central role in this strategy was played by the creation of the Qatar Investment Authority, the sovereign fund responsible for investing billions of dollars, especially abroad.
A historic ally of the United States, Sheikh Hamad also managed to consolidate Qatar’s role in Arab politics, taking on the functions of mediator, financier and diplomatic actor from time to time. Among the most significant initiatives of his reign was the launch, in 1996, of the international broadcaster Al Jazeera, which became one of Qatar’s main instruments of influence and a protagonist during the Arab Spring uprisings.
Internally he introduced some political reforms, including the approval by referendum, in 2003, of a Constitution which provided for the separation between executive, legislative and judicial power, while maintaining executive power in the hands of the emir and his government.
In 2013 he decided to voluntarily abdicate in favor of his son Tamim, a rare choice in the Middle East, where leaders often remain in power until their deaths. After his abdication he maintained a very discreet public profile, appearing only sporadically. It was still during his reign that Qatar obtained, in 2010, the assignment of organizing the 2022 football World Cup. Also under his government, Qatar began to allocate hundreds of millions of dollars to the Gaza Strip, among other things financing infrastructure projects along the coast. A hospital in Gaza City is named after him.
A small peninsula overlooking the Gulf, Qatar has a surface area of 11,437 square kilometers and a population of around 2.5 million inhabitants, mostly foreigners. Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-19th century, the country refused to join the federation of the United Arab Emirates upon independence, achieved in 1971 after 55 years of British protectorate.
Mattarella, sad for former Emir Hamad. Iran’s raids are unacceptable
«I learned with deep sadness the news of the passing away of His Father the Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. A loss that affects the country at a time of particular complexity due to the new, unacceptable Iranian attacks, to which Qatar responds with balance and a desire for mediation. The late Emir will be remembered for his historic leadership of the Emirate and, in Italy, also for his friendship towards our country. In a spirit of sincere closeness to the pain of Your Highness, I ask you to accept the expressions of the most sincere condolences of the Italian Republic and my personal condolences.” This was stated by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, in the message sent to His Highness Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar.
Meloni, deep sadness for the passing of the emir father of Qatar
«I learned with deep sadness the news of the passing away of the Father Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was one of those rare leaders who changed the course of his nation’s history. With extraordinary vision, courage and determination, he laid the foundations of modern Qatar, strengthened its institutions and gave it a voice and prestige far beyond its borders. The Qatar we know and admire today bears the unmistakable imprint of his leadership.” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni declared it. «I wish to extend my deepest condolences personally and on behalf of the Italian government, to His Highness the Emir Tamim, to all his family and to the people of Qatar to whom I address my thoughts and prayers in this moment of profound pain, he concludes.