Qatar's former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dies at 74

Death announced by royal court

Qatar's former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani died on Sunday morning at the age of 74, the country's Amiri Diwan announced in a statement posted on X. The royal court confirmed the passing of the transformational leader who ruled the Gulf state from 1995 until his abdication in 2013.

"May God grant him His mercy and forgiveness," the Amiri Diwan said. The statement did not specify the cause of death or provide details regarding funeral proceedings.

Reign transformed Gulf state

Sheikh Hamad came to power in a bloodless palace coup in 1995, deposing his father Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani while the latter was abroad. During his 18-year reign, he oversaw Qatar's emergence as a global energy power and launched the Al Jazeera Media Network, transforming the small Gulf peninsula into a major diplomatic player.

He abdicated in favor of his son Sheikh Tamim in June 2013, marking a rare voluntary transfer of power in the Arab world. The move positioned Sheikh Hamad as the "Father Emir," a role in which he continued to advise on strategic matters while remaining largely outside daily governance.

Legacy of mediation

Under Sheikh Hamad's leadership, Qatar leveraged its vast natural gas reserves to become one of the wealthiest nations per capita globally. The former ruler also established the gas-rich kingdom as a key mediator in regional conflicts, hosting talks between warring factions and maintaining relations with diverse political actors across the Middle East.

Current Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani now leads the nation his father helped propel onto the world stage. Official mourning has commenced across Qatar, with flags expected to fly at half-mast during the bereavement period.