We share our condolences with you, people of Qatar
Our sister Qatar and its people dwell in the deepest recesses of our hearts; there is no doubt about that. We are bound to them by ties of blood, faith, and a shared destiny. What pains them pains us, and what saddens them saddens us; we rejoice in their joy and grieve in their grief. By the grace of God, we and they are like one body: if one member suffers, the rest of the body responds with sleeplessness and fever.
Indeed, the loss suffered by the people of Qatar is profound, and their tragedy is grave. The passing of the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, may God have mercy on him, the founder of modern Qatar and the patron of its renaissance, is deeply painful. Generations have known him and attached themselves to him as children attach to their father. He was a beloved leader, devoted to his people and keenly attentive to their welfare. Yet this is God’s decree, which must come to pass. As the Almighty said to His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, who was the most beloved of God’s creation to Him: “You will surely die, and they will surely die” (Surah Az-Zumar). God also said in Surah An-Nisa: “Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you should be within towers of lofty construction.”
Is there any immortal among us? Have we not all perished? Is there any disgrace in death, O people?
The truth is that the late beloved son of Qatar was a statesman of the highest caliber, hailing from a noble family that has governed the State of Qatar for generations with justice, wisdom, fairness, and a spirit of unity. He loved his people, and they reciprocated his love with even greater devotion. His foremost concern and preoccupation was the advancement of Qatar. He achieved his goals and, in a short span of years, secured significant accomplishments on the global stage, as acknowledged by both friend and foe. May God have mercy on him and grant him the highest Paradise as his abode. He consistently aligned his actions with his words, then answered the call of his Lord and departed.
Qatar will remain steadfast under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who follows in his father’s footsteps. “He who resembles his father has not been wronged.” This noble family, the Al Thani, embodies the words of Al-Samawal:
“If a leader among us passes away, another leader will rise in his place.”
As the noble ones said: “We will respond to what has been decreed.”
We ask God to grant the departed, His Highness the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, mercy and forgiveness. We pray for His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, for prosperity and success. May God protect Qatar and its people, and may you remain safe and well.
