President Mohamed Muizzu departed for Qatar today to pay his respects following the passing of the country’s former Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Sheikh Hamad passed away on Sunday at the age of 74. His funeral was held yesterday, and he was laid to rest at the Lusail Cemetery in Doha.
The government has not yet disclosed the date of Muizzu’s return.
In observance of the former Emir’s passing, Qatar declared four days of national mourning beginning Monday. During this period, government offices and state institutions will remain closed, and national flags will be flown at half-mast.
Sheikh Hamad, who reigned from 1995 to 2013, is regarded as the architect of modern Qatar, transforming it into a wealthy and independent nation.
In a departure from traditional Gulf monarchical practices, Sheikh Hamad voluntarily abdicated in 2013, handing over power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who was 33 at the time.
