Somalia Declares Three Days of Mourning Following Passing of HH The Father Amir

MOGADISHU - The Federal Republic of Somalia has announced three days of official mourning following the passing of HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, joining a growing list of nations paying tribute to Qatar's transformative former leader.

In a statement, Somalia's Ministry of Information said President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had declared the mourning period in honor of the late Father Amir. The ministry said the decision reflected the Somali leadership's deep appreciation for Sheikh Hamad's distinguished stature, paying tribute to his remarkable legacy and enduring contributions supporting the Somali people. It also underscored the strong and longstanding fraternal ties between Somalia and Qatar and their two peoples. Somalia's national flag will be flown at half-mast for the duration of the mourning period.

Part of a Wider Wave of International Mourning

Somalia's declaration follows similar announcements from several other nations. The United Arab Emirates' Presidential Court ordered four days of official mourning, with flags flown at half-mast at all official entities across the UAE and at its embassies and diplomatic missions abroad through July 15. Jordan's Royal Hashemite Court likewise announced four days of mourning under the directives of King Abdullah, conveying the King's deepest condolences to Qatar's leadership and people.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan wrote on social media that he extended his sincere condolences and sympathy to Sheikh Tamim and his family, while Dubai's Vice President and Ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, offered his own condolences to Sheikh Tamim and the Qatari people, describing the loss as a collective one.

Qatar's Own Mourning Period

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar's Father Emir, died on Sunday, July 12, at the age of 74, prompting four days of national mourning within Qatar itself. In a statement, the Amiri Diwan said it mourned "the great loss to the nation" of the late leader. Funeral prayers were held at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd Al Wahhab Mosque in Doha, with burial at Lusail Cemetery, a site holding particular symbolism for the ruling Al Thani family as the area associated with Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, founder of modern Qatar, and the resting place of several members of the royal family.

Al Jazeera correspondent Zein Basravi described the funeral ceremony as "a humble event," noting that Sheikh Hamad was buried in a simple grave. Sheikh Tamim was set to receive condolences from heads of state, members of the ruling family, senior officials, dignitaries and citizens at Lusail Palace over the following days

A Transformative Legacy

Sheikh Hamad came to power in Qatar in 1995, in a bloodless takeover of his father while the latter was abroad, and ruled until his voluntary abdication in 2013, when he handed power to his fourth son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar's current Emir. During his 18-year rule, Sheikh Hamad transformed Qatar into a global diplomatic, economic, and media power, overseeing the launch of Al Jazeera, the establishment of the Qatar Investment Authority, and the country's rise to become the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas.