Funeral prayers held for former Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad in Doha

Doha – Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar’s former emir who governed the Gulf state from 1995 until his abdication in 2013, died on Tuesday at the age of 74. The government announced that his body will be interred on Thursday at Lusail Cemetery, a site traditionally reserved for members of the ruling family. The funeral service is expected to be attended by senior officials, members of the royal household and representatives of foreign governments.

During his 18‑year reign, Sheikh Hamad oversaw a period of rapid economic expansion, the launch of the 2022 FIFA World Cup bid and the establishment of Qatar as a regional diplomatic hub. He also initiated a series of social and infrastructural reforms that reshaped the nation’s education, health and media sectors. His successor, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, issued a statement praising his father’s vision and reaffirming the continuity of Qatar’s development agenda.

The burial at Lusail marks the conclusion of national mourning and underscores the former emir’s lasting influence on Qatar’s modern identity. As the country reflects on his contributions, officials indicated that plans to honor his legacy through charitable foundations and public projects are already underway.