From Gaza to India, this is how the world paid tribute to Qatar's Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Qatar's late Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s 18-year rule brought pivotal changes towards women empowerment. [SNA] Khartoum, July 12, 2026 (SUNA) - Ministry of Culture, Information, Antiquities and Tourism announced that the government has declared Monday, July 13, 2026, a day of official national mourning following the passing of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father and former Emir of the State of Qatar.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam described Sheikh Hamad as an “exceptional statesman” whose “visionary leadership transformed Qatar and elevated its standing on the global stage”. Sheikh Hamad, who passed away aged 74 on Sunday, reshaped Qatar's economy by building lasting wealth and growth. Under Sheikh Hamad, the tiny nation of Qatar developed immense natural gas wealth and cultivated influence far beyond its borders.
He took power in 1996 after staging a bloodless coup against his father, and went on to transform Qatar into the gas-rich power it is today. India declares one-day national mourning on the demise of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Father Amir of the State of Qatar The former Emir led Qatar's transformation from a small Gulf state into one of the world's wealthiest nations and oversaw the launch of Al Jazeera and the country's World Cup bid.
Sheikh Hamad was known for having helped bring about huge economic, social, and cultural change in Qatar during his reign and helping establish the nation as a global player in diplomacy and investment.
Summary from source