Qatar Mourns the Amir al-Walad

Qatar mourned the passing of the Amir al-Walid, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who died at the age of 74. Crowds of worshippers offered funeral prayers for him after the Maghrib prayer on Sunday evening at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque in the Qatari capital, Doha.

Video footage broadcast by Qatar Television showed the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, participating in the funeral procession of his father. He joined in carrying the coffin after the funeral prayers, before it was laid to rest in Lusail Cemetery.

The Qatari Diwan al-Amiri (Amiri Diwan) had previously announced the death of the Amir al-Walid.

In its statement, the Diwan said: “May God envelop the nation’s great deceased in His abundant mercy and forgiveness, and grant him a spacious place in Paradise among the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous. What a noble companion they are. May God reward him with the best recompense for the great and enduring deeds he performed for his nation and the Arab and Islamic ummah, and may He grant us all patience and solace. ‘Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.’”

In another statement, the Qatari Diwan al-Amiri announced a general mourning period across the country for four days, starting on Sunday.

The Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported that work in ministries, other government bodies, and public institutions would be suspended starting Monday, with employees resuming their duties on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Flags across the country will be flown at half-mast throughout the mourning period.

The statement added that the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will receive condolences from foreign leaders, members of the ruling family, dignitaries, and citizens at Lusail Palace on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, corresponding to July 13, 14, and 15.