--- title: Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani slug: hamad-bin-khalifa-al-thani-55ab4 url: /detay/hamad-bin-khalifa-al-thani-55ab4 type: biography language: English entity: primary: Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani type: biography categories: - name: Politics And International Relations slug: siyaset-ve-uluslararasi-iliskiler url: /kategori/siyaset-ve-uluslararasi-iliskiler tags: - StateGovernance - PoliticalTransformation - Statesman - MiddleEastHistory - MilitaryModernization - EnergyEconomy - GlobalPolitics - PublicAdministration - MilitaryAcademy - EnergyDiplomacy - QatarHistory - MiddleEastDiplomacy - DefensePolicy - PoliticalReform - Sandbox - GlobalDiplomacy - Mediation - LNG - politicalhistory - vision2030 - MiddleEastPolitics - Foreign Policy - Middle East - Modernization - Qatar - Leadership - International relations - Diplomacy - Political science - Doha author: Edanur Karakoç created_at: 2026-07-12T12:21:45.752693+03:00 updated_at: 2026-07-12T12:21:45.752703+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/07/12/zL4TqEj1Ft5pX9t0GkDraeN1NSP4pOe1.jpg --- # Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani > Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is a statesman who served as Emir of Qatar from 27 June 1995 to 25 June 2013. ## KURE Information Cards ![](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/07/12/exaA5pY1m9p6c3943kygKNY5ReuZKDGU.webp) *Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Date of Birth | January 1952 | | Date of Death | 2026-07-12 | | Position | Emir of Qatar | | Term of Office | 27 June 1995 – 25 June 2013 | | Father | Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani | | Education | Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (1971) | ## Article Content **Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani** (d. January 1952, Doha – d. 12 July 2026) was a Qatari statesman who served as **Emir of Qatar** from 27 June 1995 to 25 June 2013. He assumed the emirate after deposing his father, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, and during his approximately **18-year rule**, [Qatar](/en/detay/katar-07bf0/llms.txt) underwent significant transformations in economic, social, diplomatic and cultural spheres.[^1] He abdicated on 25 June 2013 in favor of his son **Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani** and died on **12 July 2026** at the age of 74.[^2] ### **Birth and Education** Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was born in January 1952 in Doha, the capital of [Qatar](/en/detay/qatar-955f7/llms.txt). He completed his primary education in Qatar and later attended the **Royal Military Academy Sandhurst** in the United Kingdom, graduating in 1971.[^3] ### **Military Career** After graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Sheikh Hamad joined the Qatar Armed Forces with the rank of lieutenant colonel and later held various high-ranking military positions, rising to the rank of **major general**. During this period, he was involved in efforts to enhance the equipment and capacity of the armed forces and played a key role in the modernization of the military.[^4] ### **Crown Prince Period and Rise to Power** On 31 May 1977, he was appointed **Crown Prince and Minister of Defense**.. On 10 May 1989, he was appointed chairman of the **Supreme Council for Planning**, responsible for determining the country’s social and economic policies.[^5] On **27 June 1995**, Sheikh Hamad removed his father, **Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani**, from power in a bloodless coup and assumed control of Qatar. ### **Domestic Policy and Reforms** Shortly after coming to power, **censorship of the local press was lifted in October 1995**. In 1998, the **Ministry of Information** was abolished. In 1996, the first elections for the **Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry** were held. In the first municipal council elections in March 1999, **women in Qatar voted and stood for election for the first time in the country’s history**. Following a referendum on 29 April 2003, Qatar’s **first permanent constitution** came into effect on 8 June 2004. The constitution affirmed that sovereignty resides with the people and mandated that state governance be conducted according to the principles of separation of powers and cooperation. The document **“Qatar National Vision 2030”**, aimed at long-term economic diversification, was also developed during this period.[^6] ### **Economy and Energy Policy** During Sheikh Hamad’s emirate, Qatar’s **gross domestic product (GDP) increased more than 24-fold and per capita GDP rose approximately sixfold**; the value added in the hydrocarbon sector rose from 11 billion Qatari riyals to 403 billion Qatari riyals. Natural gas production from the North Field surged during this period, and **liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports began in 1996**. In 2006, Qatar became the **world’s largest LNG exporter**, reaching an annual production capacity of 77 million tons by 2010. In October 2001, the **Supreme Council for Economic Affairs and Investment** was established to oversee the country’s economic, energy and investment policies. In August 1995, the **Qatar Foundation** was founded to support scientific and cultural development. During the same period, Qatar acquired ownership of the **Harrods** store in London, took a majority stake in the football club **Paris Saint-Germain**, and signed a sponsorship agreement with the Spanish football club Barcelona.[^7] ### **Media Policy and Al Jazeera** In 1996, the international media organization Al Jazeera, based in Qatar, began broadcasting. From its inception, the channel gave extensive coverage to political developments and sparked diplomatic tensions with several countries due to its broadcasts, including **airing protests against the Egyptian government despite a broadcast ban**. ### **Foreign Policy and Diplomacy** During Sheikh Hamad’s rule, Qatar engaged in mediation efforts regarding conflicts such as **the conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region, political disagreements in Lebanon, and the Hamas-Fatah split in Palestine**. Under Sheikh Hamad, Qatar assumed a more active role in foreign policy and participated in mediation efforts in various regional crises. This included involvement in diplomatic processes concerning **the conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region, political disputes in Lebanon, and the Hamas-Fatah division in Palestine**. During the Arab Spring, Qatar adopted policies supporting popular movements in some countries. In Syria, the government was initially urged to step down, and diplomatic relations with Damascus were severed following the regime’s violent crackdown on protesters. In Libya, Qatar supported the NATO-led military mission by sending fighter jets and provided **military and financial support to Libyan opposition forces**. In October 2012, Sheikh Hamad became the **first head of state to visit Gaza after Hamas took control of the territory**, pledging **a total of $400 million in projects and investments** during the visit. In 2007, he met with Israel’s then Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni at the United Nations General Assembly. Qatar permitted an Israeli trade office to operate in Doha; this office was closed following Israel’s 2008–2009 Gaza offensive. In the later years of Sheikh Hamad’s rule, a political office for the **Afghan Taliban** was opened in Qatar; this office later served as a key contact point in negotiations between the United States and the Taliban. During the same period, Qatar Airways’ international operations were expanded, and the **international airport named after Sheikh Hamad** in Doha was opened to service. During this period, Qatar’s relationships with **Iran, Hamas and Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood** were criticized by some regional countries and Western allies. **Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates** established diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020, while Qatar did not join this process. During Sheikh Tamim’s rule, **Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates** imposed a prolonged blockade on Qatar; part of this blockade has been linked to policies pursued during Sheikh Hamad’s tenure.[^8] ### **Personal Life** Sheikh Hamad entered into multiple marriages, including with Sheikha Mozza bint Nasser Al Misned. He was honored with numerous decorations and medals by various Arab and foreign countries in recognition of his efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and expand areas of cooperation. ### Transfer of Power On **25 June 2013**, Sheikh Hamad transferred the emirate to his son, Crown Prince **Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani**. This peaceful transfer of power is considered one of the few such examples in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. ### Death According to the Qatar Emiri Diwan, [Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani](/en/detay/hamad-bin-halife-al-sani-fe7e2/llms.txt) died on **12 July 2026 (27 Muharram 1448 AH)** in the early morning at the age of 74. The Qatar News Agency announced his death but did not disclose the cause. ### International Reactions Following the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, officials from various countries issued condolences. **Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi** extended condolences to the State of Qatar, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the government and the people. **Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari** also sent a message of condolence to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Qatari government and people, highlighting Sheikh Hamad’s contributions to Qatar’s development. **United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan** conveyed condolences to the Qatari people and leadership in his official message. ## Academic Sources and References 1. Al Jazeera. "Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Architect of Modern Qatar." Al Jazeera. Accessed July 12, 2026. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/12/sheikh-hamad-bin-khalifa-al-thani-architect-of-modern-qatar 2. Al Jazeera. “Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Dies Aged 74.” Al Jazeera. Accessed July 12, 2026. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/12/former-emir-of-qatar-sheikh-hamad-bin-khalifa-al-thani-dies-at-74 3. Amiri Diwan of the State of Qatar. “HH The Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.” Amiri Diwan. Accessed July 12, 2026. https://www.diwan.gov.qa/about-qatar/qatars-rulers/father?sc\_lang=en 4. Anadolu Ajansı. “Katar’ın Eski Emiri Şeyh Hamad bin Halife Al Sani Hayatını Kaybetti.” Accessed July 12, 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/katar-in-eski-emiri-seyh-hamad-bin-halife-al-sani-hayatini-kaybetti/3995392 5. Associated Press. “Qatar’s Former Ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Has Died at Age 74, State News Agency Says.” Associated Press. Accessed July 12, 2026. https://apnews.com/article/qatar-sheikh-hamad-khalifa-al-thani-dies-43c1d0e86698967d4809f0dbfc2b39c1 6. CNN Arabic. “قطر.. وفاة الشيخ حمد بن خليفة 'الأمير الوالد'.” Accessed July 12, 2026. https://arabic.cnn.com/middle-east/article/2026/07/12/hamad-bin-khalifa-qatar-emir-dead-74-years-old 7. Halal Khalij. “الديوان الأميري ينعي فقيد الوطن صاحب السمو الأمير الوالد الشيخ حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني.” Accessed July 12, 2026. https://halalkhalij.com/qatar/243139/ 8. Qatar Foundation. “His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani.” Qatar Foundation. Accessed July 12, 2026. https://www.qf.org.qa/about/profile/his-highness-the-father-emir-sheikh-hamad-bin-khalifa-al-thani 9. The Christian Science Monitor. "Backstory: The Royal Couple That Put Qatar on the Map." Accessed July 12, 2026. https://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0305/p20s01-wome.html ## Citations [^1]: Amiri Diwan, "HH The Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani," Amiri Diwan of the State of Qatar, erişim 12 Temmuz 2026, https://www.diwan.gov.qa/about-qatar/qatars-rulers/father?sc\_lang=en [^2]: Associated Press, “Qatar’s Former Ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Has Died at Age 74, State News Agency Says,” AP News, erişim 12 Temmuz 2026, https://apnews.com/article/qatar-sheikh-hamad-khalifa-al-thani-dies-43c1d0e86698967d4809f0dbfc2b39c1 [^3]: Amiri Diwan, "HH The Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani," [^4]: Amiri Diwan, "HH The Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani," [^5]: CNN Arabic, “قطر.. وفاة الشيخ حمد بن خليفة "الأمير الوالد",” CNN Arabic, erişim 12 Temmuz 2026, https://arabic.cnn.com/middle-east/article/2026/07/12/hamad-bin-khalifa-qatar-emir-dead-74-years-old [^6]: Al Jazeera, “Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Architect of Modern Qatar,” Al Jazeera, erişim 12 Temmuz 2026, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/12/sheikh-hamad-bin-khalifa-al-thani-architect-of-modern-qatar [^7]: CNN Arabic, “قطر.. وفاة الشيخ حمد بن خليفة "الأمير الوالد",” [^8]: Amiri Diwan, "HH The Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani,"