Qatar Mourns Former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Dead at 74
The father of the current emir reshaped Qatar's economy and became a leading Arab voice for the Palestinian cause.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar who transformed the small Gulf state into a regional economic and diplomatic power, died Sunday at age 74, Al Jazeera reported.
During his rule, Sheikh Hamad reshaped Qatar's economy, building the lasting wealth and growth that turned the country into one of the world's wealthiest nations per capita, according to Al Jazeera.
He was also remembered as an enduring supporter of the Palestinian people, with Al Jazeera describing his legacy as that of the Arab leader who "broke Israel's siege on Gaza" through decades of solidarity and support.
— Compiled from reporting by Al Jazeera.