Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former emir of Qatar who transformed the small Gulf nation into a major force in global diplomacy, media, aviation and investment, has died at the age of 74, The Associated Press reported.
Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 until his voluntary abdication in 2013, when he handed power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, marking a significant milestone in Qatar’s modern history.
During his 18 years in power, Sheikh Hamad oversaw Qatar’s rapid rise on the world stage. He helped develop the country’s vast oil and natural gas wealth, expanded Qatar’s global investments, and founded Al Jazeera, a satellite news network that became one of the Arab world’s most influential media organizations.
His leadership also positioned Qatar as a key diplomatic mediator in regional conflicts, with the country playing a role in negotiations involving Sudan, Lebanon, the Palestinians and Afghanistan. Under his vision, Qatar secured the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, further raising its international profile, while Qatar Airways grew into one of the world’s leading airlines.
Sheikh Hamad sought to give Qatar an independent foreign policy, maintaining relations with a wide range of regional and international actors. However, those policies also drew criticism, particularly over Qatar’s ties with Iran, Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, as well as accusations that Al Jazeera’s coverage reflected the views of Qatar’s leadership.
Despite those controversies, Sheikh Hamad is widely credited with transforming Qatar into an influential global player through economic development, diplomacy, and international engagement.
