LAMAMIMET

Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was the Emir of Qatar from 1995 to 2013, ascending to power through a bloodless coup against his father, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani. Born on January 1, 1952, he was educated at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and quickly rose through Qatar's military ranks before assuming political leadership. His reign marked a transformative era for Qatar, leveraging the country's vast natural gas reserves to become the world's richest nation per capita. He oversaw the establishment of Al Jazeera Media Network in 1996, positioning Qatar as a major player in global media. Under his leadership, Qatar successfully bid for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, hosted the 2006 Asian Games, and became a hub for international diplomacy and sports. He also founded the Qatar Investment Authority, which acquired significant global assets, and the Qatar Foundation, promoting education and cultural development. In 2013, he made a rare peaceful transition of power by abdicating in favor of his son, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Sheikh Hamad passed away on July 12, 2026, at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy of modernization and international prominence for Qatar.