India Declares One-Day National Mourning For Former Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad

Published 12 July 2026 · politics

India Declares One-Day Mourning For Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad Published By, Last Updated: July 12, 2026, 21:06 IST Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death

India Declares One-Day Mourning For Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad Published By, Last Updated: July 12, 2026, 21:06 IST Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of Sheikh Hamad, describing him as a visionary leader who guided Qatar to new heights. Rapid Read Qatar's former leader Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani led the country during a period of rapid economic growth. He took power in June 1995, overthrowing his father in a bloodless coup while the latter was abroad. (IMAGE: AFP) India on Sunday declared a one-day national mourning on July 13 following the death of former Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Amir of the State of Qatar. The Ministry of Home Affairs said the Flag will be flown at half-mast across the country on all buildings where it is flown regularly.

There will also be no official entertainment on the day of mourning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of Sheikh Hamad, describing him as a visionary leader who guided Qatar to new heights of development and prosperity and remained a true friend of India. In a statement, the government said Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju is expected to visit Qatar shortly to convey condolences on behalf of the Government of India. How Hamad Transformed Qatar? Sheikh Hamad served as the Emir of Qatar from 1995 to 2013 before handing over power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. He is widely credited with transforming the Gulf nation into a major regional and global power. Qatari authorities said funeral prayers would be held on Sunday evening, followed by several days of public mourning.

Government offices and public institutions will remain closed during the mourning period, while flags will fly at half-mast across the country. Sheikh Hamad assumed power in June 1995 after ousting his father in a bloodless coup while the latter was abroad. He inherited a small Gulf state with modest geopolitical influence and transformed it into one of the region’s most influential countries. Under his leadership, Qatar leveraged its vast natural gas reserves—among the largest in the world—to become a leading producer and exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Backed by heavy investments and international partnerships, Qatar also emerged as one of the world’s wealthiest nations in terms of GDP per capita. During Sheikh Hamad’s rule, the country’s population stood at around two million, the majority of whom were expatriates. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18.