Doha: HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, one of Qatar's historic leaders and the architect of its modern renaissance, who passed away this morning, leaves behind a legacy of remarkable achievements during which the State of Qatar emerged as a leading regional model for development and progress across all sectors.
According to Qatar News Agency, during his reign from 1995 to 2013, Qatar attained a prominent position both regionally and internationally, witnessing sweeping economic, social, and cultural transformation. The GDP increased more than 24-fold, per capita GDP rose nearly sixfold, and the total value added of the hydrocarbon sector surged from QAR 11 billion to QAR 403 billion.
Under the leadership of the late Father Amir, the country's Permanent Constitution was promulgated, and the Qatar National Vision 2030 was launched, setting out a roadmap for the transition to a knowledge-based economy and transforming Qatar into an advanced nation capable of achieving sustainable development and ensuring a high standard of living for generations to come.
His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani was born in Doha in January 1952, where he was raised and educated. He then joined the British Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. After his graduation in 1971, he joined the Qatar Armed Forces, where he was promoted till he reached the rank of Maj. Gen. He played a central role in developing and modernizing the Qatari Armed Forces.
On May 31, 1977, he was appointed Heir Apparent and Minister of Defense. On May 10, 1989, he became Chairman of the Supreme Council for Planning, the body responsible for formulating the country's social and economic policies.
He assumed power on June 27, 1995, and immediately embarked on an ambitious programme of development and reform. His comprehensive vision for nation-building transformed Qatar through a broad-based renaissance encompassing education, healthcare, sports, culture, media, and infrastructure.
During his reign, the country saw immense progress in the economy and energy sector. The North Field gas production boomed, and liquefied natural gas exports started in 1996, resulting in a rapid increase in the country's earnings. In 2006, Qatar became the largest LNG exporter in the world, and in 2010 its LNG production capacity reached 77 million tons per annum.
In October 2001, the Supreme Council for Economic Affairs and Investment was established under the chairmanship of His Highness to oversee the economy, energy, and investment affairs, strengthening Qatar's financial reserves, and broadening sources of national income.
Among the first decisions taken by the late Father Amir after assuming power was the establishment of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development in August 1995 to support the country's scientific and cultural advancement. This was followed by the lifting of censorship on the local press in October 1995 and the abolition of the Ministry of Information in 1998, opening the way for greater freedom of opinion and expression and the growth of the media sector.
The launch of Al Jazeera in 1996 marked the beginning of a new era in Arab and international media and established a pioneering model for the region. In 1996, under the directives of the late Father Amir, Qatar began implementing a series of significant reforms, including the country's first election for the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry that year. This was followed by the first Central Municipal Council elections in March 1999, during which women were granted, for the first time in Qatar's history, the right to vote and stand as candidates.
On June 8, 2004, Qatar's first Permanent Constitution entered into force following a landmark public referendum held on April 29, 2003. The constitution was adopted to establish the fundamental pillars of society, institutionalize public participation in decision-making, and guarantee the rights and freedoms of the country's citizens. Under the new constitution, the people became the source of authority, while the system of government was based on the separation of powers, with the branches of government working in cooperation to complement one another.
During the reign of the late Father Amir, Qatar witnessed broad economic, cultural, and civilizational openness. The country became a leading venue for political, economic, cultural, and scientific conferences and attained a distinguished regional and international standing. Qatari diplomacy also assumed a pioneering role in resolving disputes and containing conflicts in various parts of the world.
One of the outcomes of the ambitious and innovative investment strategy pursued under his leadership was Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, making it the first Arab and Muslim country to be awarded the tournament.
The late Father Amir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, was awarded numerous decorations and honors by Arab and foreign countries in recognition of his efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation among nations and peoples.
On June 25, 2013, His Highness handed over the reins of leadership to his Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
One of the most notable achievements during the reign of the late HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani was the adoption of the country's Permanent Constitution. On July 13, 1999, His Highness issued Amiri Decree No. (11) of 1999 on the formation of a committee for the drafting of the permanent constitution using experts that would reflect the country's progress and development. His Highness received the draft of the new constitution on July 2, 2002.
A public referendum on the Draft Permanent Constitution was held on April 29, 2003. The large turnout at the ballot boxes clearly reflected the response of the Qatari people to the appeal of the late HH the Father Amir, with 96.6% voting in favor of the draft. On June 8, 2004, the Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar was promulgated, which stipulates that the people are the source of authority, provides for the separation of powers, and vests legislative authority in the Shura Council.
HH the late Father Amir also laid the foundations of Qatar's foreign policy based on the principle of consolidating international peace and security, promoting peaceful settlement of international disputes, mutual respect and common interests, peaceful coexistence and international cooperation, adherence to the values of justice and openness, and respect for human rights. To that end, Qatar is keen on practicing the principles of good neighborliness, avoiding interference in the internal affairs of states, and supporting the right of peoples to self-determination.
The foreign policy of Qatar during the era of the late HH the Father Amir accomplished many feats, including: establishing the Qatari Committee for the Rescue of Jerusalem in April 1996 to support the Palestinian cause and defend Islamic holy sites in Palestine; sponsoring talks between the Taliban in Afghanistan and the US in order to find a solution to the conflict in Afghanistan; mediating the Lebanese reconciliation in 2008 with the Doha Agreement; sponsoring the Agreement signed between the Republic of Djibouti and the State of Eritrea on June 6, 2010; signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur in 2011 after more than two years of Qatari mediation; leading successful mediation efforts that resulted in the resolution of the dispute between Sudan and Eritrea, and the opening of the Kassala- Al Laffa road in 2011 to promote confidence-building between the two countries; signing of the Palestinian reconciliation agreement between the Palestinian factions, the Doha Declaration, on Feb. 6, 2012.
Additionally, Qatar received the non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for two years in October 2005 and chaired the Council in October 2006, as well as held the presidency over the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2011-2012. The country also sponsored several international and regional conferences and established international forums to promote the principle of dialogue and understanding between nations and peoples, such as the US-Islamic World Forum, the Doha Forum on Democracy, Development and Free Trade, and the Doha Interfaith Conference which led to the establishment of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue by Amiri Decree on June 1, 2010, with the aim of promoting peaceful co-existence among adherents of religions and activating religious values to address problems and issues of concern to humanity.
In March 2013, late HH the Father Amir chaired the 24th ordinary session of the Arab League Council at the Summit Level hosted by Qatar, where the National Coalition for Revolutionary Forces and the Syrian Opposition held the seat of the Syrian Arab Republic in the League of Arab States. At the summit, His Highness launched an initiative to establish a fund for the support of Jerusalem with a capital of one billion US dollars to fund projects and programs that preserve the Arab and Islamic identity of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and to strengthen the steadfastness of its people and to enable the Palestinian economy to develop its own capacity, to disassociate itself from the Israeli economy, and to counter the policy of isolation and siege. Qatar contributed a quarter of a billion dollars to the fund.
In March 2013, he also announced the donation of the State of Qatar of 10 million US dollars as a contribution to establish a pension fund for the staff of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, which was received by the General Secretariat in December of the same year.
In order to serve the Muslims and introduce the teachings of Islam, His Highness has contributed to the financing of cultural, educational, and religious centers in different countries in the world. During his rule, the State of Qatar assisted and provided aid to many countries that were affected by natural disasters. For instance, when Japan was hit by the earthquake and