Sincere condolences to the people of the sisterly state of Qatar
May God increase your rewards, people of beloved Qatar. As mentioned in the tradition, loss and separation are extremely difficult, even more so than death, which takes our relatives and loved ones from us. Our consolation in the loss of loved ones is patience and praying for their mercy and forgiveness, as we repeat the words of God Almighty:
The late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, may God have mercy on him, passed from this worldly abode to the hereafter, leaving an indelible mark on our contemporary history as the founder of modern Qatar.
With the support of the ruling family, the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani assumed power in Qatar on June 27, 1995, succeeding his father, Sheikh Khalifa Al Thani, and formed a new government.
“God knows that I did not seek power as an end in itself, nor did I pursue it for personal motives; rather, it was the interest of the nation that compelled us to steer it toward a new stage.”
Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar for 18 years, leading major economic and political transformations. Qatar evolved from an unknown, almost desert-like state into a nation with immense wealth and extensive global influence.
Qatar became the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, while GDP and sovereign wealth funds surged to record highs, significantly boosting per capita income and positively impacting both society and the state.
On June 25, 2013, the former Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, voluntarily abdicated power through a televised address to the Qatari people, announcing his relinquishment of authority and its transfer to his son, Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
“Today, I address you to announce that I am handing over the reins of power to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, with full conviction that he is capable of bearing responsibility, worthy of trust, and able to uphold the trust and fulfill the mission.”
He added, “The time has come to open another new chapter in our nation’s journey, with a new generation assuming responsibility through their dynamic energies and creative ideas.”
He concluded, “The new Emir will keep the nation’s interest and the well-being of its people at the forefront. The happiness of the Qatari citizen will always be his primary goal. The future lies before you as you transition into a new era led by youthful leadership, which keeps the aspirations of future generations in sight and works tirelessly to achieve them.”
Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani continued the legacy of contribution and progress, leading Qatar toward further advancement and prosperity across all fields, particularly in sports by hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This was a major historical achievement, marking the first time the tournament was held in the Arab and Islamic world and the Middle East, allowing millions of fans to experience Arab culture and hospitality.
The President of FIFA described this edition as the best in the tournament’s history.
Qatar stands out with a rare distinction in the Arab and Islamic world: it is the only country where three living former rulers coexist peacefully within the nation:
1. The late former ruler, Sheikh Khalifa Al Thani (may God have mercy on him), who ruled from February 22, 1972, until June 26, 1995. He passed away in Qatar in October 2016.
2. The late former ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa (may God have mercy on him), who ruled from June 26, 1995, until June 2013.
3. The current Emir of the State, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad (may God protect him), who assumed power after his father’s abdication in June 2013.
Those close to the late Sheikh, the former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, stated that he had made the decision to step away from governance and power while at the peak of his strength and influence. He began, three years prior to his abdication, entrusting the Crown Prince, Sheikh Tamim, with most of the duties. Once satisfied that he was capable of bearing this responsibility and managing the country, he decided to make the firm, voluntary choice to abdicate the throne. He handed over power with a completely clear conscience, confident that Qatar would be in trustworthy hands, and withdrew entirely from political power and the political scene, choosing an ordinary life as a citizen. He won the love of his people, and loyalty was evident on the day of his farewell.
Indeed, death in this world is the end of every living being and the conclusion of all things...
