On Sunday evening, Qatar laid to rest the Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, in Lusail Cemetery.
The funeral prayer for Sheikh Hamad was performed at the Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque in Doha, in the presence of the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, members of the ruling family, senior officials, and large crowds of citizens and residents.
Following the prayer, the body of the late Prince was taken to his final resting place, amidst feelings of sadness and prayers that God would have mercy on him and forgive him, and that He would grant him a place in Paradise.
The funeral ceremony was attended by a number of dignitaries who came to offer their condolences, while an atmosphere of sadness prevailed in the country as the official mourning for the great loss of the nation continued
The Qatari Royal Court announced the death of the Father Emir on Sunday morning, at the age of 74.
The Amiri Diwan said in a statement that it mourns with hearts believing in God’s decree and destiny the “great loss of the nation,” asking God Almighty to have mercy on him and forgive him, and to place him in His spacious Paradise with the prophets, the righteous, the martyrs and the good people.
The statement praised the great and lasting works that the late Emir had done for his country and the Arab and Islamic nation, praying to God to reward him with the best reward, and to inspire everyone with patience and solace.
The Amiri Diwan announced a four-day period of national mourning for the passing of the late Emir, starting from Sunday.
The Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported that work will be suspended in ministries, other government agencies, public bodies and institutions starting tomorrow, Monday, with employees resuming their work next Sunday.
In 1995, Sheikh Hamad assumed power. On June 25, 2013, he handed over the reins of power to his then Crown Prince, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the current Emir of Qatar.
The late Emir: A historic journey that led to Qatar's renaissance
According to information from the Amiri Diwan, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is considered one of the historical leaders of the State of Qatar, and the builder of its modern renaissance, as the country attained a high position in the Arab and international arenas during his reign, and a broad economic, social and cultural renaissance was launched.
During that period, the gross domestic product increased more than 24 times, and per capita GDP increased by about six times, while the added value of the hydrocarbon sector jumped from 11 billion Qatari riyals to 403 billion riyals.
During his reign, the country’s permanent constitution was issued, and the “Qatar National Vision 2030” was developed, aiming to transform towards a knowledge-based economy and build an advanced state that achieves sustainable development and ensures a decent life for its people generation after generation, according to official information.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was born in January 1952 in Doha, where he grew up and was educated. He then joined the Sandhurst Military College in Britain, from which he graduated in 1971.
After returning to the country, he joined the armed forces and rose through the military ranks until he became a brigadier general. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani had “a fundamental role in developing the Qatari armed forces in terms of equipment and supplies,” according to the same information.
On May 31, 1977, he was sworn in as Crown Prince and appointed Minister of Defense, and then on May 10, 1989, he became Chairman of the Supreme Council for Planning, which is responsible for formulating the state’s economic and social policies.
His assumption of power
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani assumed power on June 27, 1995, and embarked on implementing comprehensive reform and development plans that brought about a qualitative shift in various sectors.
During his reign, the country witnessed a broad renaissance encompassing education, health, sports, culture, media, and infrastructure, along with a major boom in the economy and energy.
With the start of liquefied natural gas exports from the North Field in 1996, the country’s revenues rose rapidly, and by 2006 Qatar had become the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, before its production capacity reached 77 million tons per year in 2010.
In October 2001, the Supreme Council for Economic Affairs and Investment was established, with Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani assuming its chairmanship, to generally oversee economic, energy and investment affairs, in order to diversify local and foreign investments, with the aim of developing Qatar’s financial reserves and diversifying sources of income.
One of the first decisions he made after assuming power was to establish the “Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development” in August 1995, to support the scientific and cultural renaissance in the country.
During the reign of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, “censorship was lifted on the local press in October 1995, and the Ministry of Information was abolished in 1998, which opened up broad horizons for freedom of opinion and expression and the flourishing of the media. Al Jazeera channel was also founded and launched in 1996,” according to the same information.
“Historic” leadership
In 1996, Qatar, under the guidance of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, began “implementing democratic steps that included holding the first elections for the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the same year, followed by the first municipal council elections in March 1999, in which women were granted the right to run for office and vote for the first time in Qatar’s history.”
Sheikh Hamad at the opening of the Arab Summit in Doha in 2013. (AFP)
On June 8, 2004, the first permanent constitution of the State of Qatar was issued following a historic popular referendum on April 29, 2003, in fulfillment of the lofty goals of completing the reasons for democratic governance of the state, by adopting a permanent constitution for the country that establishes the basic foundations of society, embodies popular participation in decision-making, and guarantees the rights and freedoms of the citizens, according to information from the Amiri Diwan.
Under the new constitution, the people became the source of authority, and the system of government became based on the separation of powers, although they remained cooperative and complemented each other.
During the reign of Sheikh Hamad, the country witnessed “a broad economic, civilizational and cultural opening up, and became a destination for political, economic, cultural and scientific conferences, and attained a high position regionally and internationally, and Qatari diplomacy played a leading role in resolving disputes and containing conflicts in different parts of the world.”
One of the results of the ambitious and unconventional investments pursued by the country under the rule of Sheikh Hamad was that “Qatar became the first Arab and Islamic country to win the bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which was announced in December 2010,” according to the Amiri Diwan.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani received numerous medals from Arab and foreign countries in recognition of his efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and develop areas of cooperation between countries and peoples.
On June 25, 2013, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani announced the transfer of power to his Crown Prince, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the current Emir of Qatar.
With the passing of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar loses one of its historical leaders, whose name is associated with the major transformation phase in the country’s history, the effects of which are still evident in the development journey that the state continues under the leadership of Sheikh Tamim.
