HH the Amir Receives Condolence Phone Call from Saudi Minister of Defense

The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a phone call on Thursday from HRH Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who offered his condolences on the passing of the Father Amir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

During the call, Prince Khalid expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy, praying to Almighty Allah to have mercy and forgiveness upon the deceased. The Saudi defense minister had a day earlier conveyed similar condolences in a separate telephone call with Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

Part of a Broad Wave of Condolences

The call from the Saudi defense minister formed part of a continuing stream of condolences reaching the Amir from across the Gulf, the wider Arab world, and beyond following the death of the Father Amir. On the same day, Sheikh Tamim also received telephone calls from His Majesty King Philippe of Belgium and His Royal Highness Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg, who each conveyed their sympathies to the Amir and the people of Qatar.

Earlier in the week, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud had held a phone call with Sheikh Tamim to offer his condolences, praying that Allah encompass the late Father Amir with His mercy and grant him a place in paradise. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Crown Prince had also conveyed their condolences to the Amir and the people of Qatar in the days following the passing.

Days of Mourning and Global Tributes

The Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, passed away on Sunday, July 12, at the age of 74. He led Qatar from 1995 to 2013 and is widely regarded as one of the architects of modern Qatar, having overseen a period of rapid economic growth before voluntarily handing power to his son, Sheikh Tamim, in one of the rare peaceful transfers of leadership in the Gulf. The Amiri Diwan declared four days of national mourning beginning on Sunday, with flags flown at half-mast and government work suspended.

Over the mourning period, numerous heads of state, crown princes, and senior officials travelled to Doha to offer their condolences in person at Lusail Palace, while many others conveyed their sympathies by telephone and written message, in a broad show of solidarity with the Amir, the Al Thani family, and the people of Qatar.