Qatar announces three-day national mourning as former emir dies aged 84
Khalifa was instrumental in transforming Qatar using energy exports
Thousands of Qataris and foreigners yesterday paid tribute to Shaikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani, the first Emir of independent Qatar, who passed away aged 84.
The funeral prayers were held following the Asr (afternoon) prayers at the Imam Mohammad Bin Abdul Wahab Mosque in the capital Doha.
Condolences and expressions of sympathy for the family of the deceased poured in and a special trend was launched on Twitter to share messages and post pictures of the emir who ruled Qatar for 23 years, from 1972 until 1995.
Qatar yesterday announced three days of national mourning. The former ruler, the grandfather of the current Emir Shaikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, died on Sunday, according to an official statement from the royal palace.
During his time as leader from 1972 to 1995, he oversaw the transformation of modernday Qatar into an energy-rich country — where the phenomenal wealth from gas and oil exports transformed the tiny country.
No further details were given about the circumstances of his death.
Among the first officials to respond to the news in Doha was the Australian ambassador to Qatar Axel Wabenhorst, who tweeted his condolences to “the royal family and to all Qataris”.
Many Qataris also took to social media to express their condolences.
Shaikh Khalifa ruled Qatar until he was deposed by his son Shaikhh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani in a bloodless coup while on holiday in Switzerland.
He was one of the first rulers of Qatar after it gained independence from Britain in 1971, taking over power from a cousin, and was also seen as a founding father of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the political and economic union incorporating six states in the region.
Prior to becoming emir, he served as Qatar’s prime minister, finance minister and also the country’s education minister.
After being removed from power, the former emir lived in France and returned to Qatar in 2004.
The former emir had four wives, five sons and 10 daughters.