Bahrain Crown Prince Mourns Qatar’s Father Amir

Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, sent a cable of condolences to Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, following the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar's Father Amir, who died Sunday, July 12, at the age of 74. The message conveyed the Crown Prince's sympathy on behalf of the Kingdom of Bahrain during Qatar's period of national mourning.

A Longstanding Bilateral Relationship

The condolence message reflects the close ties between the rulling families of Bahrin and Qatar, both members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Prince Salman has a history of engaging directly with Qatar's leadership on both ceremonial and substantive matters, including prior visits to Doha and regular exchanges of official cables marking significant events in both countries.
Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa separately declared a four-day period of official mourning in the Kingdom following Sheikh Hamad's death, with flags flown at half-mast nationwide, a gesture mirrored by several other Gulf Cooperation Council states, including Kuwait and the UAE.

Part of a Sweeping Regional and Global Response

Bahrain's message joins an extensive wave of condolences from Gulf leaders and beyond. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan offered his sympathies shortly after the announcement, as did Dubai's Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, and Sharjah's Ruler, Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Pakistani leadership, and heads of state and government across Asia, Africa, and Europe have also issued formal tributes.
Qatar's Amiri Diwan announced four days of national mourning beginning Sunday, with government work suspended and flags flown at half-mast until civil servants resume duties on July 19. Funeral prayers for Sheikh Hamad were held in Doha on Sunday evening, with burial at Lusail Cemetery.

Sheikh Hamad's Legacy

Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 until his voluntary abdication in 2013, transforming the country from a small, resource-limited emirate into a major global energy exporter and diplomatic power. His reign saw the 1996 founding of Al Jazeera, the establishment of the Qatar Investment Authority, and Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, alongside a foreign policy that positioned Qatar as a key regional mediator — a role his son and successor, Sheikh Tamim, has continued and expanded in recent years.