Qatar has declared four days of national mourning following the death of former Emir and Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who died at the age of 74.The Amiri Diwan announced that the mourning period began on Sunday, July 12. During this time, national flags will fly at half-mast across the country in tribute to the former ruler.As part of the official mourning arrangements, work at ministries, government departments, public bodies and state institutions will be suspended from Monday, July 13. Employees are scheduled to resume duties on Sunday, July 19.Sheikh Hamad led Qatar from 1995 to 2013 and is widely credited with overseeing the country’s transformation into a leading regional and global economic power. His reign was marked by major investments in infrastructure, economic development and reforms that strengthened Qatar’s international profile.During his 18 years in office, Qatar adopted its first permanent constitution in 2004 and introduced municipal elections that gave women the right to vote and contest seats. His tenure also coincided with major international events and diplomatic milestones, including the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, the 2012 UN Climate Change Conference, the Doha Agreement and the Fatah-Hamas Doha Agreement.In 2013, Sheikh Hamad voluntarily handed power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, becoming one of the few hereditary Gulf rulers to step down in favour of a successor during his lifetime.
