Qatar declares national mourning following death of former emir

Qatar has declared a period of national mourning following the death of former Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, according to a statement issued by the Emir’s Office on X.

“The Amiri Diwan announces a nationwide period of mourning across the country following the great loss of His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani,” the statement said.

The mourning period will last for four days beginning on July 12.

يعلن الديوان الأميري الحداد العام في كافة أنحاء الدولة على فقيد الوطن الكبير المغفور له بإذن الله صاحب السمو الأمير الوالد الشيخ حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني، وذلك لمدة 4 أيام، اعتباراً من اليوم الأحد الموافق 12 يوليو 2026.

— الديوان الأميري (@AmiriDiwan) July 12, 2026

Starting Monday, July 13, government ministries, public institutions, state agencies, and affiliated entities will suspend operations. Employees are expected to return to work on July 19. All national flags across Qatar will be flown at half-mast during the mourning period.

Funeral prayers for Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who died on Sunday at the age of 74, will be held after the evening prayer at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque in Doha. He will be laid to rest at Lusail Cemetery.

The statement also noted that Qatar’s Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will receive condolences from heads of state, members of the Al Thani family, dignitaries, and citizens at Lusail Palace.

Condolence receptions will take place on July 13, 14, and 15 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and again from after the noon prayer until the night prayer.

By Jeyhun Aghazada