Leaders Condole with Qatar... Arab Countries Declare Mourning
The Arab and Islamic nations received the news of the passing of Qatar’s founding Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, with feelings of sorrow and grief, given his well-known service to the causes of the Ummah, dedicating all his efforts, thoughts, and time with sincerity and devotion to serving those causes, and the enduring works he contributed to Qatar and the Arab and Islamic worlds, including supporting the needy and oppressed peoples and standing by their side.
Heads of state and government, as well as government leaders, expressed their sincere condolences to the leadership and people of Qatar over the death of the founding Emir, through messages and official accounts on the “X” platform and telephone communications.
In this context, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz sent a message of condolence and sympathy to Emir Tamim bin Hamad. King Salman stated: “We learned with deep pain of the passing of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, former Emir of Qatar (may God have mercy on him), who gave much to his country and people. As we convey to Your Highness, his family, and the people of Qatar our deepest condolences and sincere sympathy, we pray to God Almighty to envelop him in His vast mercy and forgiveness, and to grant him a spacious place in Paradise.”
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent a message of condolence and sympathy to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, stating: “I received with deep sorrow and grief the news of the passing of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who played a prominent role in the rise and prosperity of Qatar. I convey to Your Highness and the family of the deceased my warmest condolences and sincere sympathy.”
In turn, President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed his heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to Emir Tamim bin Hamad and the Qatari people upon the passing of the founding Emir, praying to God to envelop him in His vast mercy and grant him a spacious place in Paradise.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai of the UAE, also extended his heartfelt condolences to Emir Tamim and the Qatari people upon the passing of “their dear deceased and our common deceased.”
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi expressed his heartfelt condolences and sympathy to Qatar, its Emir, government, and people, upon the passing of the founding Emir, praying to God to envelop him in His vast mercy and to perpetuate security and stability for Qatar and its people.
Jordanian King Abdullah II conveyed his warmest condolences and deepest feelings of sympathy to Sheikh Tamim and the Qatari people regarding the passing of the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, praying to God Almighty to protect Qatar and its people.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa expressed his sincere condolences over the loss of Qatar’s deceased leader, writing on the “X” platform: “We ask God to envelop him in His vast mercy and forgiveness, to grant him a spacious place in Paradise, and to inspire his noble family and the brotherly Qatari people with patience and solace.”
Sudanese Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan also extended his heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to Qatar, its leadership, government, and people.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, in turn, expressed his sadness and grief over the passing of the founding Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, emphasizing that his departure was a great loss for Qatar, Lebanon, and the Arab world. Aoun stated that Lebanon, as a state and people, remembers with appreciation and loyalty the sincere fraternal positions expressed by the founding Emir towards Lebanon, particularly during the July 2006 war, when Qatar under his leadership stood by Lebanon during one of its darkest periods and contributed to alleviating the suffering of its sons.
He noted that Lebanon highly values the initiatives launched by His Highness in the field of reconstructing Lebanese villages and towns damaged by the war, a step that embodied the depth of Arab solidarity and a sense of responsibility, leaving a lasting impact on the hearts of Lebanese people.
The Lebanese President also highlighted Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa’s love for Lebanon and his active role in bridging differences among Lebanese people, launching initiatives that had a significant impact on the national reconciliation process, most notably his patronage of the Doha Conference in 2008, which ended a delicate phase in modern Lebanese history, restored political life to constitutional institutions, and brought security to Lebanese lands.
Aoun offered his warmest condolences to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, “who continues the path of his late father in assisting Lebanon and launching appreciated initiatives to achieve security and stability in Lebanon.”
For his part, Libyan National Unity Government Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah expressed deep sorrow and grief over the passing of the late founding Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. His government extended heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, the state of Qatar, and its people.
Arab League: Contribution to Strengthening Arab Solidarity
Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy extended heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, the Al Thani family, and the government and people of Qatar, recalling with appreciation the deceased’s historical contributions to the rise of Qatar, his prominent role in supporting the process of joint Arab action, enhancing Arab solidarity, and serving Arab and Islamic causes.
For his part, Nigerifan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, expressed his condolences to Qatar, stating that the founding Emir was a prominent leadership figure who contributed to the rise of Qatar and enhanced its role at the regional and international levels, and that his efforts and contributions will remain a source of appreciation and respect.
Indian Prime Minister: A Leader with Vision and a Dear Friend
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the founding Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. He described the late founding Emir as a leader with vision who led Qatar to high levels of development and prosperity, adding: “We also remember him as a dear friend whom I had the honor of meeting during my last visit to Qatar in February 2024.”
The Indian Prime Minister extended heartfelt condolences to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, all members of the ruling family, and the Qatari people.
For his part, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim conveyed his warmest condolences to Sheikh Tamim, the ruling family, and the Qatari people, stating that during the 18-year reign of the late founding Emir, Qatar achieved a global position and made notable economic progress under his leadership, emerging as an influential voice in regional and international affairs. He added: “The late founding Emir was a loyal friend to Malaysia and a figure widely respected in the Islamic world.”
Charles III: Praise for the Late Emir’s Vision and Commitment to Qatari Welfare
King Charles III of the United Kingdom and Queen Camilla expressed their deep sadness over the passing of the founding Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. King Charles III and Queen Camilla praised the founding Emir’s years of distinguished service to Qatar, emphasizing that his vision, leadership, and commitment to the welfare of the Qatari people were widely appreciated within Qatar and internationally.
For his part, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his condolences over the passing of the late Emir, stating his deep sadness upon hearing the news of the founding Emir’s death, describing him as a visionary leader and a speaker for his nation and people.
In his turn, Arab Parliament Speaker Mohammed Al-Yamahi stated that the deceased consolidated the path of comprehensive development and progress in Qatar, playing a prominent role in supporting joint Arab action and serving and defending Arab causes, leaving a significant political and developmental legacy at the Gulf, Arab, and international levels.
Al-Buwaidi: Supporting Joint Gulf Action and Enhancing Integration
GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Buwaidi expressed his heartfelt condolences and sympathy to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Al Thani family, and the government and people of Qatar, upon the passing of the founding Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. He emphasized that the deceased was one of the leaders who contributed with sincerity and wisdom to the rise of Qatar and its comprehensive development and progress across various fields. He also noted the deceased’s prominent role in supporting the path of joint Gulf action and enhancing the bonds of brotherhood, connectivity, and integration among GCC states, driven by his firm belief in the importance of Gulf unity and consolidating the foundations of security, stability, and prosperity in GCC countries. He prayed to God Almighty to envelop the deceased in His vast mercy and forgiveness, grant him a spacious place in Paradise, and inspire Emir Tamim, the Al Thani family, and the Qatari people with patience, tranquility, and solace.
Bahrain and UAE Announce Mourning and Lowering of Flags
The Kingdom of Bahrain announced official mourning and the lowering of flags for four days starting today, for the great deceased of Qatar, the late Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, by God’s will. The Bahraini Royal Court stated in a bulletin that King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa ordered the declaration of official mourning and the lowering of flags for four days in mourning for the passing of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
The UAE also announced official mourning and the lowering of flags within the country and at all its embassies and diplomatic missions abroad for four days until Wednesday.
Erdogan: His Prominent Role in Elevating Turkey-Qatar Relations
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated: “I received with deep sorrow and grief the news of the passing of my dear friend, the founding Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.”
Erdogan added via the “X” platform: “I pray to God Almighty to envelop Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in His vast mercy. I had the honor of working closely with him on many international issues during my tenure as Prime Minister. Sheikh Hamad played a prominent role in elevating political, commercial, military, humanitarian, and cultural relations between Turkey and Qatar to their current state, witnessing his sincere efforts for the peace of the Islamic world, the stability of our region, and the welfare of the Qatari people.”
Pakistani President: Praise for the Late Emir’s Contribution to Regional Peace
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his deep sadness over the passing of the founding Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. He conveyed his sincere condolences to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the government of Qatar, and the Qatari people on this sad occasion.
The Pakistani President praised the founding Emir’s leadership and vision, and his valuable contributions to Qatar’s progress and development, as well as to enhancing regional peace and cooperation.
