Qatar’s former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who drove the Gulf state’s transformation into a global energy and media power, died Sunday at 74. The country’s Amiri Diwan announced his passing early in the morning without immediately disclosing a cause of death.
He took control of Qatar in June 1995 after overthrowing his father in a bloodless coup. From that moment, he utilized the country’s vast natural gas reserves in the North Field to rebuild the economy. By 2006, Qatar had become the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas. The nation’s gross domestic product multiplied more than twenty-fourfold under his leadership.
But it was his international ambition that reshaped regional diplomacy. The newfound economic foundation bankrolled a rapid expansion of Qatari soft power. He issued the decree to launch the Al Jazeera news network in 1996. Years later, he initiated the bid that eventually brought the 2022 FIFA World Cup to Doha.
Domestically, his reign brought sweeping political updates. He oversaw the introduction of Qatar’s first permanent constitution in 2004. He also implemented municipal elections that granted women the right to vote and run as candidates.
Regional leaders reacted swiftly to the Sunday announcement. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar extended formal condolences, highlighting the former ruler’s role in strengthening diplomatic bonds.
In June 2013, he made a groundbreaking departure from Arab world traditions by voluntarily abdicating. He handed power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, leaving behind the Qatar National Vision 2030 framework that still guides the state today.