Qatar, former emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani dies: he was 74 years old

Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, in power in Qatar from 1995 to 2013, dies at the age of 74. The official announcement arrived from Doha, reported by the Qna agency, gives news of the death of the ‘father emir’ which occurred on Sunday morning. In 2013 he abdicated. Since then his son, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, has been in power.

During his reign Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Than led the country towards rapid modernization and economic, social and cultural development. Among her most notable achievements are the promulgation of Qatar’s first permanent constitution in 2004 and the introduction of municipal elections, in which women were allowed to vote and run for office.

Messages of condolence have arrived and continue to arrive from all over the world.

“I learned with profound sadness the news of the passing of your father the Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. A loss that affects the country at a time of particular complexity due to the new, unacceptable Iranian attacks, to which Qatar responds with balance and a desire for mediation. The late Emir will be remembered for his historic leadership of the Emirate and, in Italy, also for his friendship towards our country. In a spirit of sincere closeness to the pain of Your Highness, I beg you to welcome the expressions of the most sincere condolences of the Italian Republic and my personal condolences”. He writes it head of state, Sergio Mattarellain the condolence message.

“It was with deep sadness that I learned of the news of the passing of the Father Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was one of those rare leaders who changed the course of his nation’s history. With extraordinary vision, courage and determination, he laid the foundations of modern Qatar, strengthened its institutions and gave it a voice and prestige far beyond its borders. The Qatar we know and admire today brings the unmistakable imprint of his leadership. I wish to extend my deepest condolences on a personal basis and on behalf of the Italian Government, to His Highness the Emir Tamim, to all his family and to the people of Qatar to whom I address my thoughts and prayers in this moment of profound sorrow”. So the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a statement released by Palazzo Chigi.