Who was Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, for whom there will be a day of national mourning in India?

Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani) Died on July 12 at the age of 74. On his death, the Government of India has announced one day national mourning in the entire country on 13 July. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement issued on Sunday that the national flag will be flown at half mast across the country on Monday as a mark of respect to the late leader and no official government entertainment program will be organized on this day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Expressing deep grief over the demise of Sheikh Hamad, he described him as a true friend of India and a visionary leader. PM Modi said that Sheikh Hamad took Qatar to new heights of development and prosperity. He also recalled that he had the opportunity to meet Sheikh Hamad during his visit to Qatar in February 2024.

The Prime Minister expressed his condolences to the current Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the royal family and the people of Qatar. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will soon visit Qatar to express condolences on behalf of the Government of India. The Qatar government has also announced four days of state mourning on the death of Sheikh Hamad.

Who was Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani?

• Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is known as the Father Emir and the creator of modern Qatar. He ruled as Emir of Qatar from 1995 to 2013. It was during his tenure that Qatar achieved global leadership in natural gas (LNG) production and export and became the world’s largest LNG exporter.
• Al Thani played an important role in increasing foreign investment, strengthening international partnerships and establishing Qatar as an influential country on the global stage. Not only this, bringing a big change in the field of media, he started the famous Al Jazeera News Network in 1996.
• He took power from his father Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani in 1995. Subsequently, in 2013, he voluntarily handed over power peacefully to his son and the current Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
• It is because of the visionary investments and strategies of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani that Qatar got the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
• He also had a major contribution in strengthening India-Qatar relations. During his reign the number of Indian community in Qatar increased rapidly. He also made official visits to India in 1999, 2005 and 2012, which gave new strength to trade, energy and strategic cooperation between the two countries.
• Sheikh Hamad’s reign is remembered as a period of Qatar’s modern development, economic transformation and global identity.