Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

Who is Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani?

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani became Emir of Qatar in June 1995 after a bloodless transfer of power from his father, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, while the elder Emir was abroad. During his eighteen-year rule, Qatar underwent rapid transformation, driven largely by the development of the North Field, one of the world's largest natural gas reserves, which turned the country into a major global exporter of liquefied natural gas and dramatically increased its wealth and international influence. In 1996 his government oversaw the launch of Al Jazeera, a satellite news channel that reshaped media coverage across the Arab world and gave Qatar an outsized diplomatic voice in regional affairs. His administration pursued an active foreign policy of mediation in regional disputes, hosted major international events including the 2006 Asian Games, and secured Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In June 2013, he voluntarily abdicated in favor of his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in what was widely reported as the first peaceful, voluntary transfer of power between generations in a modern Gulf monarchy.

Sources: Al Jazeera Media Network, institutional history and founding record (1996) · BBC News, profile of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and the 2013 abdication · Qatar Amiri Diwan, official government historical record