Former Qatari Leader Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani Dies at 74

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former leader of Qatar, has passed away at 74. With hearts steadfast in faith in God's decree and destiny, the Bureau of the Emir mourns the great loss to the nation of the late — may God have mercy on him — His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, read a statement published by the emir's office on social media.

The Qatari government announced Sheikh Hamad's death on Sunday, July 12, 2026, after years of ruling the country. He was known as one of the key architects of modern Qatar and oversaw rapid economic growth and development.

Sheikh Hamad took power in June 1995 after overthrowing his father in a bloodless coup while the latter was abroad. He inherited a small, largely marginal emirate with nearly empty coffers and transformed it into a major player on the regional and international stage. Within a few years, he laid the foundations for Qatar's rapid development, thanks to its vast natural gas reserves.

Under Sheikh Hamad's leadership, Qatar rose to become one of the wealthiest countries on the planet in terms of GDP per capita. The country's population was less than two million during his rule, with the majority being foreign nationals.

Sheikh Hamad was also instrumental in launching Al Jazeera in 1996, which quickly became one of the most influential media outlets in the region. He also established the Qatar Investment Authority to invest billions of dollars in companies worldwide, including German automaker Volkswagen and French football club Paris Saint-Germain.

One of the most notable decisions made under Sheikh Hamad's rule was Qatar's awarding of the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which came with controversy over corruption and the treatment of foreign workers.

Qatar is one of the smallest Arab states with a population of around 3 million, most of whom are foreign workers. The country was a British protectorate for 55 years until 1971 and has been ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-19th century.

Sheikh Hamad voluntarily abdicated in favour of his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, a first in Arab history. Following his death, Qatari officials announced a period of public mourning, with flags flown at half-mast and government offices closed.