The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani talks during the opening ceremony of Plenary Session of the High-Level Summit of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Doha on December 4, 2012. Credit: AFP
… funeral prayers would take place on Sunday evening.
Qatar’s former Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has died at the age of 74, prompting condolences from Nigeria and other countries.
Qatar’s government announced his death on Sunday, describing the former ruler as a national figure whose leadership transformed the Gulf nation.
“With hearts steadfast in faith in God’s decree and destiny, the Bureau of the Emir 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 posted on social media.
Qatari authorities said funeral prayers would be held on Sunday evening, while several days of national mourning had been declared.
Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013 after taking power in a bloodless palace coup while his father was abroad.
During his reign, he oversaw the country’s rapid economic transformation, driven largely by its vast natural gas reserves.
Under his leadership, Qatar became one of the world’s leading exporters of liquefied natural gas and one of the wealthiest countries by GDP per capita.
Sheikh Hamad was emir when Qatar secured the hosting rights for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in 2010.
In June 2013, he voluntarily abdicated in favour of his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, marking a rare peaceful transfer of power in the modern Arab world.
Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Government expressed condolences to the Qatari leadership and people.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described the late former emir as “a distinguished and visionary leader.”
“The Government of Nigeria expresses deep condolences on the passing of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Amir of the State of Qatar, on Sunday, 12 July 2026.
“His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who served as Emir of Qatar from 1995 to 2013, was a distinguished and visionary leader whose transformative contributions to the development and modernization of Qatar have left an indelible mark on the nation and the wider region.
“His wisdom, dedication to progress, and commitment to international cooperation will be remembered fondly by the people of Qatar, the Gulf countries, and international partners,” the statement read.
The minister extended Nigeria’s condolences to the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Al Thani family and the people of Qatar.
“Nigeria stands in solidarity with Qatar during this time of grief and prays that Almighty God grant His Highness the Father Amir eternal rest in paradise, grant his family and the Qatari people patience and solace, and give them strength and comfort in this difficult time,” the statement added.
