Various international leaders expressed their condolences to Qatar following the death of former emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away this Sunday at the age of 74, according to the Amiri Diwan, the highest governmental authority in Qatar.
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Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani ruled Qatar between 1995 and 2013, the year he abdicated in favor of his son, the current emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. During his tenure, the country increased its regional and international influence, promoted the development of the Al Jazeera network, and secured the organization of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
After his death was announced, the state agency QNA reported that leaders from various countries sent messages of condolence to the Al Thani family and the Qatari people, highlighting the former leader’s role in the modernization of the country and his influence in the Arab and Islamic world.
The president of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, conveyed his condolences to emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the ruling family of Qatar, while other Emirati leaders also sent messages of sympathy.
The Emirati government also decreed four days of official mourning, with flags at half-mast in public institutions, embassies, and diplomatic missions abroad, from this Sunday until Wednesday, July 15.
In Kuwait, emir Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah also declared four days of official mourning for the death of the former Qatari ruler, a measure that includes flags at half-mast in the country and its embassies.
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Condolences were also sent by the president of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El Sisi; King Abdullah II of Jordan; the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan; the president of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa; the head of the Sovereign Council of Sudan, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan; and the president of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun.
From Asia, the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, expressed his sorrow over the death of the former emir and described him as a visionary leader. QNA also reported condolences from the prime minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, who highlighted that during his 18 years of governance Qatar transformed into a country of global relevance.
In Europe, King Charles III and Queen Camilla expressed their sorrow over the passing of Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and highlighted his years of leadership and dedication to the State of Qatar.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, also sent his condolences to emir Tamim and the Qatari people, describing the former leader as a transformative figure for his country.
Likewise, the Arab League, the Arab Parliament, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Asian Football Confederation expressed sorrow over his death, highlighting his political, diplomatic, and sporting legacy, especially for the push that allowed Qatar to become the host of the 2022 World Cup.
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