Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al Thani, former Emir of Qatar who took power in 1995 and handed it over to his son 18 years later, passed away at the age of 74.
The Amiri Diwan, Qatar’s top government body, announced Sheikh Hamad’s death on Sunday morning. It did not specify the cause of his death.
The current Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, inherited a Qatar that was already changing under his father.
Sheikh Hamad presided over one of the most consequential periods in the country’s history, driving a rapid transformation of the tiny desert state that reshaped its economy, global profile and political ambition.
A forceful, independent-minded personality, he explained in a speech to mark his abdication in 2013 that he wanted a new generation “with their innovative ideas and active energies” to take over.
Sheikh Hamad was the architect of Qatar’s effort to develop its liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure that allowed it to get its vast gas reserves to global markets, turning the state into one of the world’s largest exporters and laying the foundations for its vast wealth.
He founded Al Jazeera, a media network that expanded Qatar’s role in Arab politics outside the Gulf region. He supervised Qatar’s successful bid to host the 2022 soccer World Cup, which boosted the country’s global profile and spurred infrastructural development in Doha.
Laying the Groundwork for Qatar’s role as a peace broker.
Qatar’s foreign policy prioritizes mediation in crises such as Lebanon, Yemen, and Darfur, while retaining ties with the US (including hosting U.S. Central Command) and Iran and its allies.
Qatar’s balancing approach has led to its current participation in US-Iran discussions and efforts to end the Gaza conflict.
During the 2011 Arab Spring, Qatar, led by Sheikh Hamad, supported revolutionary movements and Islamist parties with significant resources and influence.
While Doha framed its approach as support for popular demands for political reform, detractors accused it — especially Sheikh Hamad — of selectively supporting factions that served its interests, notably those related to the Muslim Brotherhood.
This put Sheikh Hamad at odds with other Gulf monarchs in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who saw many of these movements as a danger to regional stability and monarchical control.
Qatar’s advocacy raised its regional reputation, but also increased tensions with its neighbors, leaving a legacy that still influences Gulf affairs.
Coup and attempted counter-coup
Sheikh Hamad’s abdication was designed to secure a peaceful succession and reduce tensions within a royal family with a long history of palace intrigue.
In 1995, he led a bloodless coup against his father. A year later, he survived a counter-coup led by his father, who gained power by overthrowing his cousin in 1972.
One of Sheikh Hamad’s most important collaborators in Qatar’s modernizing push was his wife, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who maintained a public profile unusual for a Gulf ruler’s wife.
Sheikha Moza’s influence grew as he worked to reposition the state both domestically and internationally.
Sheikh Hamad implemented significant political and economic reforms, but also prioritized education, research, and social development.
When the emir gained office, he was 44 years old and the region’s youngest leader. He was considered less aloof than other Gulf Arab leaders, and could often be found at his favorite café in Doha’s souq, conversing with guests.
