Former Emir of Qatar passes away, 4-day mourning declared in the country

The former Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, father of the current head of state Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has passed away at the age of 74. A four-day official mourning period has been declared in the country following his death, as reported by local official sources.

It is reported that mourning events will be held across Qatar starting July 13. In this regard, the activities of state institutions and several public organizations have been temporarily suspended, and national flags have been flown at half-mast.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013 and is recognized as one of the statesmen who made a significant contribution to the country's modern development.

During his leadership, Qatar's economy developed rapidly, international investments increased, and the country became one of the world's largest exporters of liquefied natural gas. At the same time, Qatar's international political and economic influence increased significantly.

During the former Emir's rule, in 1996, Al Jazeera media network was established. Later, this television channel became one of the most influential media outlets in the world. Also, in 2004, the country's first permanent Constitution was adopted, creating a legal basis for women's participation in local elections.

In 2013, Sheikh Hamad voluntarily handed over power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. This was considered one of the rare political decisions in the history of the Persian Gulf states.

Today, Qatar is widely known for its active participation on the international stage, its leadership in the energy sector, and as the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.