Funeral prayers for former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani were held Sunday at the Mohammed bin Abdul Wahab Mosque in Doha [1].
The death of the former ruler marks the end of an era for a leader who transitioned Qatar from a regional state into a global diplomatic and economic power. His influence shaped the nation's current infrastructure and international standing.
The Amiri Diwan said the funeral prayer for the late Father Amir would take place after Maghrib prayer [2]. Following the services at the mosque, the former leader was buried at Lusail Cemetery in Doha [1].
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani died at the age of 74 [3]. He served as the ruler of Qatar from 1995 to 2013 [4] — a period defined by rapid expansion and modernization. During his tenure, he is credited with diversifying the economy and raising the country's visibility on the world stage.
An unnamed imam said, "May God have mercy on him and forgive him" [5].
Observers said the scale of the services reflected the former emir's impact on the state. Editorial staff at The New York Times said he was a transformational leader who modernised Qatar and placed it on the global stage [6].
The events of Sunday concluded the formal mourning period for the leader whose policies established the foundation for Qatar's contemporary wealth and influence [1], [3].
“He was a transformational leader who modernised Qatar and placed it on the global stage.”
The passing of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani represents the loss of the primary architect of modern Qatar. By overseeing the transition to a global hub for energy and diplomacy between 1995 and 2013, he established the framework that his successor continues to utilize. His legacy is tied to the strategic use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) wealth to build the nation's soft power and international infrastructure.
