Former Qatari emir Sheikh Hamad dies at 74

Former Qatari emir Sheikh Hamad dies at 74 Submitted by MEE and agencies on Sun, 07/12/2026 - 09:27 His reign saw the launch of Al Jazeera and Qatar's emergence as a regional power Qatar’s former emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani attends the opening of the Arab League summit in Doha, 26 March 2013 (Karim Sahib/AFP) Off Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former emir who transformed Qatar from a small Gulf state into a major player in global diplomacy, energy and media, has died at the age of 74, the country's royal court announced on Sunday. "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, who passed away this morning," the Amiri Diwan said in a statement. No cause of death has been announced.