Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dies: Reactions 

Former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who ruled Qatar from 1995 until his abdication in 2013, has died at the age of 74, the government announced.

“With hearts steadfast in faith in God’s decree and destiny, the Amiri Diwan mourns the great loss to the nation of the late – may God have mercy on him – His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani,” the emir’s office said in a statement published on social media on Sunday.

Sheikh Hamad is widely regarded as one of the key architects of modern Qatar. During his leadership, the country experienced rapid economic growth, significant global expansion and major developments that shaped its political and economic standing.

Here is how some of the world’s leaders reacted to his passing:

Arab League

Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy expressed his condolences to Qatar’s leadership.

Translation: I extend my sincerest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, on the passing of His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, may God have mercy on him. I pray that God envelop him in His boundless mercy and forgiveness, and grant his family and the people of Qatar patience and solace.

Egypt

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi expressed his deepest condolences and sympathy to Qatar’s leaders and people. In a statement, he said: “Deepest condolences and sympathies to the sisterly State of Qatar, to its Emir, government and people, on the passing of the late His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. We ask God to envelop him in His vast mercy and to perpetuate security and stability upon Qatar and its people. Verily, to God we belong, and to Him we shall return.”

Hamas

The Palestinian group Hamas expressed condolences to Qatar’s leadership, the ruling family and the people of Qatar, describing Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani as a major national and Arab leader and praising his support for the Palestinian cause.

“The Father Emir was a visionary leader, a man of initiative, and a man of values and genuine humanitarian and Arab principles. He made the well-being of his country, his people, and his nation, and the support of just causes, foremost among them the Palestinian cause, a steadfast approach and an unwavering moral responsibility.

“He stood with the Palestinian people, defending their legitimate rights, and affirming in various forums that true peace can only be achieved by ending the occupation and enabling our people to attain their rights and establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital,” Hamas said in an statement.

Hamas described his 2012 visit to the Gaza Strip as a historic gesture of solidarity, saying it helped break the territory’s isolation and demonstrated Qatar’s support for Palestinians during difficult circumstances.

“Under his leadership and guidance, and continuing under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim, may God protect him, Qatar has been a voice of support for Palestine and a pillar of support for the people of Gaza. This support has manifested in political stances, humanitarian initiatives, and relief and reconstruction efforts, stemming from a firm conviction that supporting the oppressed and standing with people in their times of hardship is a responsibility that does not expire with time,” Hamas added.

“We ask God Almighty to bestow His abundant mercy upon the late Emir, to grant him eternal peace in Paradise, and to place his contributions to his nation, his people, the Palestinian cause, and humanitarian issues on the scales of his good deeds.”

India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the father emir of Qatar, describing him as a “visionary leader who guided Qatar to great levels of development and prosperity”.

Modi remembered Sheikh Hamad as a valued friend and noted his honour in meeting the former emir during his visit to Qatar in February 2024. He extended his condolences to his son, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Al Thani family and the people of Qatar.

Iraq

President Nizar Amedi conveyed the condolences of Iraq to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

“With profound sorrow that I learned of the passing of Your Highness’s esteemed father, the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. On behalf of the Republic of Iraq, its government and people, and on my own behalf, I extend to Your Highness, the Al Thani family, and the brotherly people of the State of Qatar my deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy,” he said in a statement released by the Iraqi News Agency.

“At this difficult time, we stand in solidarity with the State of Qatar and share in the grief of a nation mourning the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders. Sheikh Hamad’s enduring legacy and his contributions to the progress and development of Qatar will be remembered with profound respect,” the statement said.

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi also extended his condolences, saying: “With profound sadness and sorrow, we received the news of the passing of the father of the Emir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, may God have mercy on him.

“On behalf of myself and the Republic of Iraq, its government and people, I extend my sincerest condolences to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and to the brotherly people of Qatar.”

Italy

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she learned with “deep sadness” the news of the passing of the Father Emir of Qatar.

“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 bears the unmistakable imprint of his leadership,” she said in a statement.

“I wish to extend my deepest condolences personally and on behalf of the Italian Government to His Highness Emir Tamim, to all his family, and to the people of Qatar, to whom I address my thoughts and prayers at this moment of profound grief,” Meloni added.

Jordan

King Abdullah II extended condolences on behalf of the kingdom and expressed solidarity with Qatar in a statement.

Translation: We extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to my brother, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and to the brotherly people of the State of Qatar on the passing of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

We pray that Almighty God envelop him in His boundless mercy and grace, and preserve the State of Qatar and its people. Indeed, to God we belong and to Him we shall return.

Lebanon

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam expressed sorrow over the passing of Sheikh Hamad, offering his condolences to Qatar’s leadership and people.

In his message, he highlighted the late father emir’s longstanding support for Lebanon, particularly during periods of crisis, and praised his political and humanitarian contributions towards strengthening Lebanon’s stability.

He extended his condolences to Sheikh Tamim, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and the Qatari people.

Translation: With profound sadness and sorrow, I extend my deepest condolences to the sisterly State of Qatar, to its leadership and people, on the passing of His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The late emir will remain present in the memory of all Lebanese for the political and humanitarian support he provided to Lebanon in the most difficult circumstances, and for the efforts he exerted in serving the stability of the country.

And I direct, in particular, my sincerest condolences to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and to Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, asking Almighty God to envelop this great departed soul of the Arab and Islamic worlds in His vast mercy, to admit him into the spacious gardens of Paradise, and to grant our brothers and sisters in the State of Qatar patience and solace. Indeed, to God we belong, and to Him we shall return.

Libya

The prime minister of Libya’s internationally recognised Government of National Unity in Tripoli, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, expressed his condolences to Qatar’s leaders and people.

Translation: With profound sadness and sorrow, we extend our sincerest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to my brother, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and to the State of Qatar and its brotherly people, on the passing of the Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

May God have mercy on the late Emir and inspire his family and the Qatari people with patience and solace.

Indeed, to God we belong, and to Him we shall return.

Malaysia

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his condolences to Sheikh Tamim, the Qatari royal family and the people of the country.

In his message, he described the late father emir as a leader who transformed Qatar into a country of global significance, highlighting the economic progress achieved during his 18-year rule and Qatar’s growing role in regional and international affairs.

Pakistan

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed “deep grief” over the passing of Sheikh Hamad and conveyed his “heartfelt condolences” to Qatar’s leaders, government and people.

Syria

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa expressed his condolences to Qatar’s leadership and people.

Translation: I extend my sincerest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to my brother, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and to the brotherly State of Qatar, its government and people, on the passing of His Highness the Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
We pray that God envelop him in His boundless mercy and forgiveness, grant him a place in His spacious Paradise, and inspire his esteemed family and the brotherly people of Qatar with patience and solace.

Turkiye

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed profound sorrow over the passing of Sheikh Hamad, paying tribute to the late father emir’s role in strengthening the strategic partnership between Turkiye and Qatar.

“He played a major role in elevating the political, commercial, military, humanitarian, and cultural relations between Turkiye and the State of Qatar to their current level; I witnessed his sincere efforts for the peace of the Islamic world, the stability of our region, and the welfare of the Qatari people,” he said.

Translation: My most esteemed friend, I learned with great sorrow of the passing of the Father Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

During my tenure as prime minister, he was someone with whom I worked closely on the international stage; he played a major role in elevating the political, commercial, military, humanitarian, and cultural relations between Turkiye and the State of Qatar to their current level; I witnessed his sincere efforts for the peace of the Islamic world, the stability of our region and the welfare of the Qatari people. I pray that Almighty God grants mercy to Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

On behalf of myself, my family and my nation, I extend my condolences to the family of the late Father Emir, especially my dear brother, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as well as to the friendly and brotherly people of Qatar and the Islamic world.

United Arab Emirates

President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed his condolences to Sheikh Tamim and his family over the death of Sheikh Hamad.

“May God grant him mercy, rest his soul in eternal peace, and bring comfort to his family during this difficult time,” he wrote in a statement.