DOHA: Qatar's government on Sunday announced the death of former leader Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, who led the country from 1995 to 2013. He was 74, according to a government website. "With hearts steadfast in faith in Allah's decree and destiny, the Bureau of the Emir mourns the great loss to the nation of the late — may Allah have mercy on him — His Highness Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani," read a statement published by the emir's office on social media.
Qatari officials said funeral prayers would be held on evening along with several days of public mourning across the country, which would see government offices and public institutions closed and flags flown at half mast.
The former leader was seen as one of the key architects of modern Qatar and led the country during a period of rapid economic growth. Shaikh Hamad took power in June 1995.
Within a few years, he laid the foundations for Qatar's rapid development. The country possesses one of the world's largest natural gas reserves. Thanks to investments and international partnerships, the state became a leading producer and exporter of liquefied natural gas. It also rose to become one of the wealthiest countries on the planet in terms of GDP per capita. Qatar's population under Shaikh Hamad's rule numbered barely two million, the majority of them foreign nationals.
During his time in office, Al Jazeera was launched in 1996, following a decree issued by the emir, with the international broadcaster becoming one of the most influential media outlets in the region. The Qatar Investment Authority was established with the aim of investing billions of dollars, particularly abroad, in companies including German automaker Volkswagen, London's luxury department store Harrods, and French football club Paris Saint-Germain.
Shaikh Hamad was still emir when Qatar was awarded the right to host the 2022 Fifa World Cup in 2010. Also under his reign, Qatar began paying hundreds of millions of dollars to the Gaza Strip, notably funding road projects along the coast. A hospital in Gaza City bears his name.
In June 2013, Shaikh Hamad surprised many by voluntarily abdicating in favour of his son, Shaikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, a first in the recent history of the Arab world. Qatar is one of the smallest Arab states with a population of around 3 million, most of whom are foreign workers. — AFP
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