Doha, Jul 13 (V7N) — Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was laid to rest with full state honors in the Qatari capital Doha on Sunday following his death at the age of 74.

Qatar's Amiri Diwan confirmed Sheikh Hamad's death on Sunday morning. No official cause of death was disclosed.

Funeral prayers were held after Maghrib at the Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque in Doha, where thousands of mourners gathered to pay their final respects. Following the prayers, his son and the current Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, joined other members of the royal family in carrying the former ruler's coffin before he was buried at Lusail Cemetery, north of the capital.

According to Al Jazeera, the funeral ceremony was conducted with remarkable simplicity, reflecting Sheikh Hamad's personal values and adherence to Islamic traditions.

Architect of Modern Qatar

Sheikh Hamad assumed power in 1995 through a bloodless transfer of power and ruled Qatar for 18 years before voluntarily handing over leadership to his son in 2013, a rare move among Gulf monarchies.

During his tenure, Qatar underwent an extraordinary economic transformation. By leveraging the country's vast natural gas reserves, he turned the small Gulf nation into one of the world's wealthiest economies.

Under his leadership, Qatar became the world's leading exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by 2006, while the country's gross domestic product expanded dramatically.

Expanding Qatar's Global Influence

Sheikh Hamad also elevated Qatar's international profile by positioning the country as a key diplomatic mediator in regional and global conflicts.

The diplomatic role Qatar continues to play today—including efforts to mediate major regional disputes—was largely established during his leadership.

His vision also helped pave the way for Qatar to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, making it the first Middle Eastern nation to stage football's biggest tournament.

Founder of Al Jazeera's Vision

One of Sheikh Hamad's most enduring legacies was his support for the launch of Al Jazeera in 1996, which grew into one of the world's most influential international news organizations.

In a condolence message, Al Jazeera Media Network Director General Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani described Sheikh Hamad as the visionary behind the network.

"He planted the seeds of an institution that became a beacon of truth and a voice for marginalized people around the world. He believed that freedom of the press is a fundamental human right and viewed journalism as a public trust," he said.

Legacy of Reform

Sheikh Hamad also introduced significant political reforms during his rule. Qatar's first permanent constitution came into force in 2004, alongside municipal elections that granted women both the right to vote and to stand as candidates.

Commenting on his legacy, Abdullah Bandar Al-Etaibi, Assistant Professor of International Relations at Qatar University, said Sheikh Hamad transformed Qatar into an influential global player.

"He did not simply govern a country—he reshaped its future. His vision, particularly in developing the LNG sector, laid the foundation for Qatar's remarkable economic and international success," he said.

Source: Al Jazeera

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