Ten facts you should know about Qatar Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

Ten facts you should know about Qatar Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani became one of the youngest emirs in Qatar's history when he assumed power in June 2013 at the age of 33.

Sheikh Tamim took over from his father, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who spent nearly two decades at the country's helm before stepping aside.

Sheikh Hamad's abdication broke the mould of Gulf politics, where rulers traditionally remain on the throne until they die. Sheikh Tamim, 33, presents a younger face as ruler, at odds with the older generations in neighbouring states.

Sheikh Tamim attended Sherborne School, Harrow School and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK, from which he graduated in 1998.

He has served in a number of diverse roles, including president of the Qatar National Olympic Committee, deputy commander-in-chief of the Qatar Armed Forces, chairman of the committee organising the 2022 FIFA World Cup, chairman of the Supreme Education Council and chairman of the Qatar Investment Authority, the country's sovereign wealth fund.

Of all the people in Qatar, the one that everyone should know, would of course be its Emir.

In the past, Qatar has been very fortunate to get a ruler like HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani who raised the country to its present wealthy state.

Now, Qatar’s luck still continues with the present Emir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani ruling the nation as wisely as his father did.

However, below are ten facts about the present Emir of Qatar that we all should know of.

1 - June is an important month for the Emir, because he was born in June. 

HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani was born on the 3rd of June. Also, he became the Emir of Qatar on the 25th of June 2013, after his father’s abdiction.

2 - The Emir of Qatar is the youngest reigning monarch among the GCC countries as of 2013.

3 - He has a special bond with England. The Emir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani was educated in Britain’s Sherborne School (International College). 

He also studied at Harrow School from where he received his A/L’s in 1997. He further attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and graduated in 1998.

4 - Although the fourth child in the family, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani became the heir apparent on the 5th of August 2003 when his elder brother Sheikh Jassim renounced his claim to the title.

5 - He’s the first ruler of Qatar to ascend to power without resorting to a coup.

6 - The people who know the Emir, describe him as friendly, confident and open. He is also described as savvy, careful, and calculating. In addition, he is considered to be a pragmatist, and to have "excellent relations" with the West including the United States and France.

7 - In 2006, Egypt’s Al Ahram voted the Emir as the best sport personality in the Arab world.

8 - He founded the Qatar Sports Investment, chaired the organizing committee of the 15th Asian Games in Doha.

9 - He’s also a member of the International Olympic committee and the chairman of the National Olympic Committee.

10 - He has also won the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahayan medal and the Sheikh Essa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa Medal

May the Emir live long and lead the nation always!