Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani: World Leaders Arrive in Doha as Qatar Mourns Its Father Amir
Qatar is in mourning. His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Amir of Qatar, passed away on the morning of Sunday July 12, 2026. He was 74 years old, born January 1, 1952, and had served as Qatar’s Emir from 1995 until his historic voluntary abdication in 2013, when he handed power to his son, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
In the hours that followed his passing, the Amiri Diwan announced the funeral arrangements, a four-day national mourning period, and the suspension of government work. World leaders began arriving in Doha throughout the day to offer their condolences in person, a reflection of the deep respect Sheikh Hamad commanded across the globe.
Funeral Prayer and Burial
The funeral prayer for His Highness the Father Amir was held after Maghrib prayer on Sunday July 12, 2026, at the Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque in Doha. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani performed the funeral prayer and led the ceremony.
Following the prayer, the burial took place at Lusail Cemetery, where His Highness the Amir participated in the funeral ceremony alongside members of the ruling family and dignitaries.
National Mourning Period: Official Details
The Amiri Diwan declared the following:
A four-day national mourning period across the entire State of Qatar, beginning Sunday July 12, 2026.
Work in all ministries and government agencies, bodies and public institutions is suspended starting Monday July 13, 2026. Government employees return to work on Sunday July 19, 2026.
Flags are to be flown at half-mast throughout the country for the duration of the mourning period.
Condolences at Lusail Palace
His Highness the Crown Prince will receive condolences from leaders of states, the ruling family, dignitaries and citizens at Lusail Palace on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, corresponding to July 13, 14 and 15, 2026, during the morning period.
Here is the complete rewritten world leaders section, organised clearly by date:
World Leaders and Delegations Arriving in Doha to Offer Condolences
The international response to the passing of His Highness the Father Amir has been extraordinary. Heads of state, crown princes, prime ministers, and senior international officials from across the Arab world, Europe, Africa, Asia and international organisations have travelled to Doha to pay their respects in person at Lusail Palace. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has been receiving delegations continuously since July 12.
July 12, 2026
The King of Bahrain, HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, arrived in Doha.
The Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, arrived separately.
The Crown Prince of Kuwait, HH Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, arrived in Doha.
The UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, arrived in Doha.
The President of Kazakhstan, HE Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, arrived in Doha.
The President of the Maldives, HE Dr Mohamed Muizzu, arrived in Doha.
The Prime Minister of Lebanon, HE Dr Nawaf Salam, arrived in Doha.
The President of Rwanda, HE Paul Kagame, arrived in Doha.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, HE Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, arrived in Doha.
The Prime Minister of Libya, HE Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, arrived in Doha.
The Prime Minister of Ethiopia, HE Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali, arrived in Doha.
The Prime Minister of Morocco, HE Aziz Akhannouch, arrived in Doha.
July 13, 2026
His Highness the Amir received mourners at Lusail Palace throughout the day. Among the confirmed delegations:
The President of Iraq, HE President Nizar Amidi, arrived in Doha.
The President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, HE Nechirvan Barzani, arrived in Doha.
The Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs of Oman, HH Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said, arrived in Doha.
The Governor of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, HRH Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, arrived in Doha.
The President of the Syrian Arab Republic, HE Ahmad Al Sharaa, arrived in Doha.
The President of Lebanon, HE General Joseph Aoun, arrived in Doha.
The President of the Comoros, HE Azali Assoumani, arrived in Doha.
The Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Executive Council in the UAE, HH Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, arrived in Doha.
FIFA President, HE Gianni Infantino, arrived in Doha to offer condolences.
July 14, 2026
His Highness the Amir continued to receive international dignitaries at Lusail Palace. Among the confirmed delegations:
The President of Turkiye, HE Recep Tayyip Erdogan, arrived in Doha.
The UAE Deputy President, HE Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, arrived in Doha.
An Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Saudi Arabia, HH Prince Dr Mansour bin Mutaib bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, arrived in Doha.
The President of Somalia, HE Dr Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, arrived in Doha.
The Crown Prince of Jordan, HH Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II, arrived in Doha.
The President of Mauritania, HE Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, arrived in Doha.
The President of Uzbekistan, HE Shavkat Mirziyoyev, arrived in Doha.
The President of Armenia, HE Vahagn Khachaturyan, arrived in Doha.
The Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council, HE Lt Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, arrived in Doha.
The Prime Minister of Italy, HE Ms Giorgia Meloni, arrived in Doha.
The President of Egypt, HE Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, arrived in Doha.
The President of Lebanon, HE General Joseph Aoun, met with His Highness the Amir.
The President of Libya, HE Dr Mohammed Al-Menfi, arrived in Doha.
The President of the Union of the Comoros, HE President Osman Ghazali, arrived in Doha.
The Vice President of the Swiss Confederation, HE Mr Ignazio Cassis, arrived in Doha.
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, HE Mr Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, arrived in Doha.
The Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, HE Mr Nabil Elaraby, arrived in Doha.
World leaders and delegations continue to arrive in Doha throughout the mourning period. Condolences are being received at Lusail Palace on July 13, 14 and 15, 2026.
This list will be updated as further arrivals are confirmed by the Qatar News Agency and Amiri Diwan.
Sources: Qatar News Agency (QNA), Amiri Diwan of Qatar.
Who Was Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani served as the Emir of Qatar from 1995 to 2013. Under his leadership, Qatar was transformed from a small Gulf state into one of the most recognised and influential nations on the world stage. He oversaw the development of Qatar’s LNG industry into a global energy powerhouse, the founding of Al Jazeera Media Network, Qatar’s successful bid for the FIFA World Cup 2022, and the country’s emergence as a respected diplomatic voice capable of mediating between international parties.
In 2013, in a move that was historic across the Arab world, he voluntarily transferred power to his son Sheikh Tamim, stepping back to take the title of Father Amir. His passing marks the end of an era for Qatar and for the wider region.
May Allah have mercy on his soul.
Source: Amiri Diwan of Qatar, Qatar News Agency (QNA). This article will be updated as further developments are confirmed.
