Qatar declares 4 days of mourning, suspends public sector work over death of former emir Sheikh Hamad World News
Qatar has declared four days of national mourning following the death of former emir and cleric Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani at the age of 74.Emile Diwan announced that the period of mourning will begin on Sunday, July 12. During this period, flags are flown at half-mast across the country to pay tribute to the former rulers.As part of the official mourning arrangements, ministries, government departments, public agencies and state institutions will suspend work from Monday 13 July. Employees are scheduled to return to work on Sunday, July 19.Sheikh Hamad led Qatar from 1995 to 2013 and is widely praised for leading the country’s transformation into a leading regional and global economic power. His rule saw major investments in infrastructure, economic development and reforms, which enhanced Qatar’s international profile.During his 18 years in power, Qatar adopted its first permanent constitution in 2004 and introduced municipal elections, giving women the right to vote and run for seats. His tenure also coincided with major international events and diplomatic milestones, including the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, the 2012 United Nations Climate Change Conference, the Doha Agreement and the Fatah-Hamas Doha Agreement.In 2013, Sheikh Hamad voluntarily handed over power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, becoming one of the few hereditary Gulf rulers to step down during his lifetime and be succeeded by a successor.
