Qatar mourns death of former Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa

Foreign leaders and royals are heading to Qatar this week following the death of the former Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, at 74.

Qatar held funeral prayers on Sunday and planned to bury Sheikh Hamad at Lusail Cemetery, while declaring four days of national mourning.

Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Sheikh Hamad’s son, will receive condolences at Lusail Palace through Wednesday. During his 1995-2013 rule, Sheikh Hamad developed Qatar’s vast gas reserves and turned the country into a leading LNG exporter.

The resulting wealth financed major infrastructure projects and global investments through the Qatar Investment Authority.