Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dies aged 74

The former Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has died at the age of 74.

Qatar’s Amiri ⁠Diwan, the administrative office and official workplace of the Emir of the State of Qatar, made the following announcement: “With hearts steadfast in faith in God’s decree and destiny, the Amiri Diwan 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, who passed away this morning.”

Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar between 1995 and 2013, and this reign has been recognised as having influenced a great development in Qatar. In 2013, the Sheikh abdicated in favour of his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who was then 33. Abdication is quite rare in Qatar. At the time, he said, “The future lies ahead of you, the children of this homeland, as you usher into a new era where young leadership hoists the banner.”

Sheikh Hamad had three wives and 23 children, of whom eleven were sons and thirteen were daughters.