Jump to content

Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Not to be confused with Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani.
In this Arabic name, the surname is Al Thani.
Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Hamad in 2013
Emir of Qatar
Reign27 June 1995 – 25 June 2013
PredecessorKhalifa bin Hamad Al Thani
SuccessorTamim bin Hamad Al Thani
Prime Minister
Heir Apparent
Father Emir of Qatar
Reign25 June 2013 – present
MonarchTamim bin Hamad Al Thani
Prime Minister
Born (1952-01-01) 1 January 1952 (age 72)
Doha, Qatar
Spouse
IssueSee link
HouseThani
FatherKhalifa bin Hamad Al Thani
MotherAisha bint Hamad Al Attiyah
Military career
Allegiance Qatar
Service / branchQatar Armed Forces
Years of service1995 - 2013

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Hamad bin Abdullah bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani (Arabic: حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني; born 1 January 1952) is a member of the ruling Al Thani Qatari royal family. He was the ruling Emir of Qatar from 1995 until 2013 when he abdicated the throne, handing power to his fourth son Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani who was born to his second spouse, Moza bint Nassir.[1][2] The Qatari government refers to him as the Father Emir.[3]

Hamad seized power from his father, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, in a bloodless palace coup d'état in 1995. During his 18-year rule, Qatar's natural gas production reached 77 million tonnes, making Qatar the richest country in the world per capita with the average income in the country US$86,440 a year per person.[4] During his reign, several sports and diplomatic events took place in Qatar, including the 2006 Asian Games, 2012 UN Climate Change Conference, Doha Agreement, Fatah–Hamas Doha Agreement, and it was decided that the 2022 FIFA World Cup would be held in the country. He established the Qatar Investment Authority. By 2013, it had invested over $100 billion around the world, most prominently in The Shard, Barclays Bank, Heathrow Airport, Harrods, Paris Saint-Germain F.C., Volkswagen, Siemens, and Royal Dutch Shell.[5]

Hamad ruled a sovereign regime in Qatar without any support from opposition political parties.[6][7][8] During Hamad's rule, Qatar hosted two U.S. military bases. It also maintained relations with Iran. The Sheikh founded news media group Al Jazeera. He also played a part in negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban.[9][10] In June 2013, Hamad, in a brief televised address, announced that he would hand power to his fourth son, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.[11]

Early years and education

[edit]

Hamad was born in 1952. His mother died soon after his birth and he was raised by his uncle.[12]

He graduated from the British Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in 1971, and was then commissioned as a lieutenant colonel in Qatar's armed forces.[13][14] A few months later he returned to Qatar and was made commander of a mobile brigade, which later became a force called "Hamad Brigade".[14] In 1972, Hamad had the rank of general, and became army chief of staff.[14] Next he was appointed commander-in-chief of Qatar's armed forces with the rank of major general.[4][14] In 1977 he was named minister of defense.[14]

Hamad was appointed Heir Apparent of Qatar in 1977 and held the post until 1995.[15] In the early 1980s, he led the Supreme Planning Council, which sets Qatar's basic economic and social policies. Starting in 1992, Hamad's father began gradually handing over responsibility for the day-to-day running of the country,[16] including the development of Qatar's oil and natural gas resources, rendering him the effective ruler of the country.[17] However, his father ultimately retained control over state finances.[17] On 27 June 1995, he won the throne from his father in a palace coup, Hamad became Emir of Qatar and was crowned on 20 June 2000.[16]

Reign as Emir (1995–2013)

[edit]

With the support of his family, Hamad staged a bloodless coup d'état in 1995 when his father Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani was on vacation in Geneva, Switzerland, at which point he officially became the Emir of Qatar.[16][18] The deposition came after a falling out between Hamad and his father, who had tried regaining some of the authority that he had bestowed upon Hamad in early 1995.[17] Thereafter, his father lived in exile in France and Abu Dhabi[18] until he returned to Qatar in 2001.

Hamad then engaged an American law firm to freeze his father's bank accounts abroad in order to deter a possible countercoup.[16] However, a counter-coup was attempted against Hamad in February 1996 under the leadership of former Economy Minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani. The coup failed, and several of Qatar's traditional Arab allies were implicated in the plot, namely Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt.[19]

In a break with the traditional role, his second wife Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned has been a visible advocate for education and children's causes.[16] In 1995, Sheikh Hamad and his wife Sheikha Moza bint Nasser founded the Qatar Foundation.[20][21]

A sportsman[22] and an accomplished diver, Hamad has played an active role in promoting and developing athletics in Qatar.[4] His activism has enhanced the country's involvement and performance in a number of international competitions, including: winning an Olympic medal in track and field; hosting a wide variety of international sporting events such as the 15th Asian Games, GCC, Asian and World Youth soccer championships; and initiating the Qatar Open Tennis Championship which has grown to become one of two premier tennis competitions in the Middle East.

Hamad bin Khalifa in the Kremlin with Russian President Vladimir Putin, December 2001

Under his rule the Qatari government helped to fund the Al Jazeera news network by an emiri decree.[23] In an analysis of Al Jazeera, Hugh Miles said that diplomats from other countries know that the Emir was the real power behind Al Jazeera but he also quotes a network spokesman denying 'countless times' this accusation, adding that many independent news sources also have subsidies from their respective governments without this implying editorial dabbling and explaining that trying to coerce the kind of journalists Al Jazeera has would be like trying to 'herd cats'.[24] Sheik Hamad is a distant cousin of the network chairman, Hamad bin Thamer Al Thani, who was previously Minister of Information in the Emir Al Thani government. Following the initial US$137 million grant from Emir Al Thani, Al Jazeera had aimed to become self-sufficient through advertising by 2001, but when this failed to occur, the Emir agreed to several consecutive loans[24] on a year-by-year basis (US$30 million in 2004,[25] according to Arnaud de Borchgrave). At a 3 October 2001 press conference, Colin Powell tried to persuade Sheik Hamad to shut down Al Jazeera while the New York-based organization Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting commented that in those efforts, "Powell and other U.S. officials were reportedly upset by the channel re-airing old interviews with bin Laden and the inclusion of guests that are too critical of the United States on its programs."[26][27] The Washington Post reported in 2005 that Sheik Hamad was under pressure to privatize the network.[28]

In 2010, Qatar was awarded the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The country would become the first in the Middle East to host the world's biggest sporting event, beating stiff competition from the United States and Australia.[29]

Autocracy

[edit]

Hamad ruled an autocratic regime in Qatar.[6] There was no organized political opposition in Qatar.[7] National news outlets exercised self-censorship.[7]

Oil and gas wealth

[edit]
US President George W. Bush and Hamad bin Khalifa in the Oval Office, 2003

Hamad was able to focus on turning Qatar from a small desert backwater into a major world power by continuing to exploit the country's vast oil fields and discovering and tapping the world's third largest gas reserves.[30] By 2010 liquefied natural gas production had reached 77 million tons, making Qatar the richest country in the world. With fewer than two million inhabitants, the average income in the country shot to a staggering $86,440 per year per person. Qatar expert Olivier Da Lage said: "When he came to power in 1995, Sheikh Hamad had a goal to place Qatar on the world map by exploiting the gas resources which his father did not develop for fear it would change the emirate's society. Eighteen years on, he has finished the job – Qatar has acquired the financial clout to command respect from neighboring countries and Western governments alike".[4]

Sheikh Hamad with Vladimir Putin in 2007

In 2005, under the direction of Hamad and the former prime minister of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, the Qatar Investment Authority was established, a sovereign wealth fund to manage the country's oil and natural gas surpluses.[31] The Qatar Investment Authority and its subsidiaries have acquired many businesses abroad, including London's iconic department store Harrods from entrepreneur Mohammed Al-Fayed,[32] Paris-based department store Printemps,[33] French football club Paris Saint-Germain F.C.,[34] a former 10% stake in Porsche,[35] a 75% stake in film studio Miramax Films which they acquired from Disney,[36] a 2% stake in media conglomerate and Universal Music Group parent company Vivendi,[37] a US$100 million investment in Chernin Group – whose founder Peter Chernin was COO of News Corp and President of Fox,[38] a 1% stake in luxury goods manufacturer Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy,[39] a 6% stake in Credit Suisse,[40] a 12.6% stake in Barclays[41] and several other major companies. They also backed Glencore's $31 billion takeover bid for Xstrata.[42] Qatar is the largest property owner in London with their holdings including the United Kingdom's tallest building The Shard, the London Olympic Village and the InterContinental London Park Lane hotel.[43] They also own several hotels in Cannes including the Majestic Hotel, Grand Hyatt Cannes Hôtel Martinez and the Carlton Hotel, Cannes.[44] QIA was considered to have one of the leading bids in the sales of both Anschutz Entertainment Group[45] and Hulu.[46] As of May 2013, it was reported the Investment Authority was in talks to purchase Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.[47]

Hamad with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, September 2010

Media sources claimed that Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani made a bid for Manchester United on 11 February 2011. Qatari Holdings offered £1.65 billion to Malcolm Glazer, the American owner of the club.[48] This follows a series of endeavors by the Emir and other Qataris into the World Football community, following Qatar's successful bid for the 2022 World Cup, and the Qatar Foundation's recent £125m shirt deal with FC Barcelona. In mid-June 2011, rumours resurfaced that Qatari Holdings were preparing a £2 Billion takeover bid and that the funding, that the club had been using for transfers since the start of June, was actually supplied by the Qataris and not the Glazer Family.[49] In 2012 it was rumoured that Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was in bid for Rangers F.C.[50] On 30 March 2012 Sheik Al Thani offered to buy KF Tirana, although the details have yet to be published.[51]

Culture and education

[edit]

In the arts, Hamad established the Qatar Museums Authority in 2005 which built the I. M. Pei designed Museum of Islamic Art Doha. Since its opening, Qatar has become the world's biggest contemporary art buyer,[52] famously purchasing Cézanne's The Card Players in 2012 for over US$250 million.[53] The art acquisition efforts were often represented by Sheikh Saud bin Mohammed Al Thani, president of Qatar's National Council for Culture, Arts and the Heritage.[54][55]

Sheikh Hamad with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in 2012

The Museum Authority sponsored Takashi Murakami's EGO exhibit in Doha which ran from 9 February to 24 June 2012,[56] Damien Hirst's retrospective at Tate Modern in Spring and Summer 2012[57] and Hirst's exhibition Relics, from October 2013 to January 2014.[58] In July 2013, in conjunction with Miuccia Prada and the Prada Foundation, QMA launched CURATE, a global search for curatorial talent.[59] Additionally, the Doha Film Institute was established in 2009 which in partnership with the Tribeca Film Festival (founded by Robert De Niro), created the Doha Tribeca Film Festival that ran from 2009 – 2012.[60] The Doha Film Institute is producing Salma Hayek's upcoming animated adaptation of Khalil Gibran's classic novel The Prophet, with Lion King director Roger Allers coordinating the process.[61] DFI is also credited as a production company on several other films, including Just Like a Woman starring Sienna Miller,[62] The Reluctant Fundamentalist, directed by Mira Nair, which opened the 69th Venice International Film Festival,[63] and Kanye West's Cruel Summer – a short film which was shot in Doha and premiered during the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.[64] In February 2013, they announced a $100 million feature film fund with Participant Media, a production company founded by billionaire Jeffrey Skoll, who was the first employee and also first president of internet auction firm eBay.[65]

Under the patronage of Hamad and his wife Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser Al-Missned, various academic institutions have opened campuses in Doha, including Carnegie Mellon University, Georgetown University, Northwestern University, Texas A&M University and Weill Cornell Medical College.[1]

Retirement and later life

[edit]
John Kerry meets with the former Emir in 2014

On 25 June 2013, Hamad handed over power to his son Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in a televised speech.[66][67] In regards to the shift in power, Hamad said: "The time has come to open a new page in the journey of our nation that would have a new generation carry the responsibilities".[68]

Since his retirement, he is now popularly referred to as the Father Emir. His fourth son Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, from his second wife, Moza bint Nasser, is now the eighth and current Emir of Qatar.

Hamad is believed to have suffered from poor health for several years. In December 2015, he was flown to Zurich, Switzerland, for treatment after breaking his leg while on holiday in Morocco's Atlas mountains.[69]

Hamad underwent his first kidney transplant in 1997 [70] and at least one more at a later date.[71] The former emir is currently on dialysis.

Foreign relations

[edit]
Sheikh Hamad with Crown Princess Margareta of Romania and her husband Prince Radu, 2010

The Emir made a $100 million donation for the relief of New Orleans following the 2005 Hurricane Katrina.[72] He was a key person in the cease fire during the 2006 Lebanon War and contributed significantly in the relief of damaged areas.

In 2012, the Emir proposed deploying Arab troops to reduce killings in the Syrian civil war.[73] He provided two military bases for foreign troops, Al Udeid Air Base and Camp As Sayliyah.[74]

Despite the prevalence of anti-Israel sentiment within the Arab world, he had previously maintained friendly relations with Israel.[18] He met Foreign Minister of Israel Tzipi Livni (25 September 2007) in New York City. This marked the first real attempt by any leader in the Persian Gulf to pursue dialogue with Israel.[75][76] However, Qatar severed diplomatic ties with Israel in 2009 in response to Israel's actions during the Gaza War.[77] The emir has also expressed his objection to Israeli settlement policy, especially the Judaization of Jerusalem.[78][79]

Palestine and Syria

[edit]

In October 2012, the Emir made a landmark visit to Gaza by being the first head of state to go there since the 2006 election of Hamas and the imposition of a blockade by Israel.[80] He took a flight to Egypt before being driven into Gaza. While there, the emir was thought to be launching a $254 million reconstruction project in the territory, and giving an address to the Palestinian people. Palestine's interior ministry was said to have a "well-prepared plan" to provide security for the emir during his stay.[81] Incidents nevertheless continued.[82]

In October 2012, Hamad made a historic visit to Gaza and pledged US$400 million in humanitarian aid to Hamas, to build infrastructure projects and hospitals.[83] Despite Qatar's ties to Hamas, they maintain diplomatic and business relations with Israel.[84]

In December 2012, The New York Times accused the Qatari government of funding the Al-Nusra Front, a U.S. government designated terrorist organization.[85] Others[who?] have noted the Emir's visit to Gaza and meeting with Hamas, which houses a militant wing, Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.[86] However, Qatar denies these allegations, stating that its policy is to help facilitate constructive engagement between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.[87]

In 2004, 2010, 2014, and 2017, the Qatari government introduced new anti-terror laws to combat terrorism, terrorism financing and related crimes. In 2019 the Qatari government introduced a new anti-money laundering and counter terror financing laws.[88]

In August 2020, the US State Department sent the Coordinator for Counterterrorism Nathan Sales to Doha to thank Qatar for their efforts against terrorism and to discuss Qatar's role in combating the financing of terrorism, its new Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism legislation and its participation in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.[89]

Investments

[edit]

In 2013, Hamad established the Qatar Investment Authority, which has invested over $100 billion around the world, most prominently in The Shard, Barclays Bank, Heathrow Airport, Harrods, Paris Saint-Germain F.C., Siemens and Royal Dutch Shell.[90] It also holds about 17% stake in the Volkswagen Group, Porsche, Hochtief, as well as investments in Sainsbury's.

Hamad is listed as owner of Afrodille S.A., which had a bank account in Luxembourg and shares in two South African companies. Al Thani also held a majority of the shares in Rienne S.A. and Yalis S.A., which held a term deposit with the Bank of China in Luxembourg. A relative owned 25% of these: Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatar's former prime minister and foreign minister.

Marriages and children

[edit]

Sheikh Hamad has three wives and twenty-four children, eleven sons and thirteen daughters:[citation needed]

Titles, styles, honours and awards

[edit]
Styles of
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Reference styleHis Highness
Spoken styleYour Highness

Titles

[edit]
  • 1 January 1952 – 22 February 1972: Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
  • 22 February 1972 – 1977: His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
  • 1977 – 27 June 1995: His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Crown Prince of Qatar
  • 27 June 1995 – 25 June 2013: His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar
  • 25 June 2013 – present: His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Father Emir of Qatar[92][93]

Honours

[edit]
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani with Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned

National honours

[edit]
  • Qatar:
    • Former Sovereign Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Independence
    • Former Sovereign Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit

Foreign honours

[edit]

Awards

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Qatar: A tiny country asserts powerful influence", CBS 60 Minutes via youtube.com, 15 January 2012.
  2. ^ "Qatar: Freedom in the World 2020 Country Report". Freedom House. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Qatar's Father Emir flown to Switzerland to treat broken leg". Doha News. 29 December 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d "Emir of Qatar profile: Who is Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, how did he turn Qatar into the world's richest nation and why has he decided to abdicate?". The Independent. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  5. ^ "Middle East Monitor". Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  6. ^ a b Kamrava, Mehran (2009). "Royal Factionalism and Political Liberalization in Qatar". Middle East Journal. 63 (3): 401–420. doi:10.3751/63.3.13. ISSN 0026-3141. JSTOR 20622928. S2CID 154521643.
  7. ^ a b c "Qatari draft media law criticized by rights group". Reuters. 30 October 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  8. ^ Freedman, Rosa (2015). Failing to Protect: The UN and the Politicization of Human Rights. Oxford University Press. p. 109. ISBN 978-0-19-061300-6.
  9. ^ Windfuhr, Volkhard; Zand, Bernhard (29 March 2009). "SPIEGEL Interview with the Emir of Qatar – 'We Are Coming to Invest'". Der Spiegel. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  10. ^ Cohen, Noam (1 January 2009). "Al Jazeera provides an inside look at Gaza conflict". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  11. ^ "Qatari emir Sheikh Hamad hands power to son Tamim". BBC News. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  12. ^ Dickey, Christopher (25 June 2013). "Qatar's Succession Drama". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  13. ^ "Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani".
  14. ^ a b c d e "Qatar's Decision Makers – Hamad Background". APS Review. 17 September 2007. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  15. ^ "HH The Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani - The Amiri Diwan". Amiri Diwan of the State of Qatar. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  16. ^ a b c d e Harman, Danna (5 March 2007). "Backstory: The royal couple that put Qatar on the map". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 10 November 2010. He was of a new generation, open to the sorts of social, technological, economic, and political ideas from outside that his elders had never known. And, surrounding himself with young, Western-educated advisers, the new emir got right down to the business of remaking the national agenda of this traditional Wahhabi land.
  17. ^ a b c "Smooth Qatar Handover Rooted in Turbulent Past of 'Father Emir'". Voice of America. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  18. ^ a b c "Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir". Current Leaders of Nations (fee, via Fairfax County Public Library). Gale. 1998. GALE-K1610000166. Retrieved 2 March 2012. Gale Biography in Context. (subscription required)
  19. ^ "New details revealed on 1996 coup attempt against Qatar". Al Jazeera. 4 March 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  20. ^ "About Qatar Foundation". Qatar Foundation. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  21. ^ "Sheikha Moza: The woman behind Doha's Education City". The Washington Post. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  22. ^ **Diplomacy Volume 33. Diplomacy Company. 2007. p. 19.
  23. ^ Sakr, Naomi (2001). Satellite Realms: Transnational Television, Globalization & the Middle East. London: I.B. Tauris. p. 57. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  24. ^ a b Miles, Hugh (2005). Al-Jazeera: The Inside Story of the Arab News Channel that is Challenging the West. New York: Grove Press. p. 346. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  25. ^ de Borchgrave, Arnaud (6 May 2004). "Tutwiler's mission impossible". Washington Times. Archived from the original on 27 April 2006. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  26. ^ "Between Two Worlds". Committee to Protect Journalists. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  27. ^ Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (December 2001). "Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting".[permanent dead link‍]
  28. ^ Vedantam, Shankar (31 January 2005). "Qatar Advances Plans To Privatize Al-Jazeera". The Washington Post. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
  29. ^ Jackson, Jamie (2 December 2010). "Qatar wins 2022 World Cup bid". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  30. ^ lemonde.fr: "La France accorde une exonération d'impôts aux avoirs du Qatar", 21 Feb 2009
  31. ^ "Qatar Investment Authority - about us". Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  32. ^ "Qatar investor buys UK department store Harrods", Reuters, 8 May 2010.
  33. ^ "Qatari Investors to Buy Printemps", The Wall Street Journal, 8 April 2013.
  34. ^ "Qatari Hopes for Paris Saint-Germain Meet Reality", The New York Times, 24 May 2013.
  35. ^ "Qatar sells back 10 percent Porsche stake to founding families", Reuters, 17 June 2013.
  36. ^ "Ron Tutor Sells His Miramax Stake", The Hollywood Reporter, 21 January 2013.
  37. ^ "Vivendi Says Shareholder Qatar Holding Raised its Stake to 2%", Bloomberg News Bloomberg, 21 March 2012.
  38. ^ "Chernin Group receives $100-million investment from Qatar Holding", LA Times, 8 November 2012.
  39. ^ "Slice of LVMH", Vogue, 16 March 2012.
  40. ^ "Credit Suisse Raises $6.2 Billion From Qatar Holding, Olayan", Bloomberg, 14 February 2011.
  41. ^ "Barclays ducks Qatar questions, takes $1.6 billion mis-selling hit", Reuters, 5 February 2013.
  42. ^ "Qatar Wealth Fund Backs Glencore's Bid for Xstrata", The New York Times, 15 November 2012.
  43. ^ "Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabber Al Thani: Meet the man who bought London", The Independent, 21 June 2013.
  44. ^ "Cannes Carlton hotel sold to Qatar investor for €450m" Archived 25 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Pie Mag, 15 December 2011.
  45. ^ "AEG shoots for stars with up to $10B sale", New York Post, 13 November 2012.
  46. ^ "Qatar among bidders for US online TV firm", Arabian Business, 9 June 2013.
  47. ^ "Qatar Investment Authority in talks to buy Neiman Marcus", New York Post, 31 May 2013.
  48. ^ ESPNsoccernet staff (11 February 2011). "Qataris close to buying United – report". SoccerNet. ESPN. Archived from the original on 14 February 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  49. ^ "Barcelona agree record shirt deal". BBC News. 10 December 2010.
  50. ^ "Ex-Dundee director Di Stefano tells Qatar ruler buying Rangers would be 'best deal in football'". STV News. 19 March 2012. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  51. ^ "Familja e emirit të Katarit interesohet të blejë aksionet e Tiranës së futbollit". Panorama Sport. 22 March 2012. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012.
  52. ^ "Qatar revealed as the world's biggest contemporary art buyer", Forbes, 7 July 2011.
  53. ^ "Qatar Purchases Cézanne's The Card Players for More Than $250 Million, Highest Price Ever for a Work of Art", Vanity Fair, February 2012
  54. ^ "The World's Biggest Art Collector". Forbes. 11 May 2004. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  55. ^ "Saud bin Mohammed Al Thani, Big-Spending Art Collector, Is Dead". The New York Times. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  56. ^ "Takashi Murakami's "Ego" Exhibition at Al Riwaq Exhibition Hall in Doha, Qatar", Huffington Post, 9 February 2012.
  57. ^ "Qatari royal family sponsors Damien Hirst retrospective at Tate Modern", The National, 5 April 2012.
  58. ^ "Damien Hirst - Relics". Qatar Museums. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  59. ^ "Qatar and Prada Announce 'Curate' Prize", Gallerist NY, 12 July 2013.
  60. ^ "Tribeca Enterprises, Qatar's Doha Film Institute End Cultural, Festival Partnership", The Hollywood Reporter, 30 April 2013.
  61. ^ "Salma Hayek and Doha Film Institute to Adapt Khalil Gibran's 'The Prophet' into Animated Movie", The Hollywood Reporter, 23 February 2012.
  62. ^ Pond, Steve (12 August 2011). "Rachid Bouchareb Kicks Off Arab-American Trilogy With Sienna Miller Road Movie". reuters.com. Reuters. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  63. ^ "The Reluctant Fundamentalist", BBC News, 30 August 2013.
  64. ^ "Cannes 2012: Kanye West Debuts Groundbreaking Film With Kim Kardashian, Jay-Z in Attendance", The Hollywood Reporter, 23 May 2012.
  65. ^ "Berlin: Participant Media, Doha Film Institute Launch Five-Year $100M Feature Film Fund", Deadline, 13 February 2013.
  66. ^ "Qatari emir Hamad hands power to son Tamim". BBC News. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  67. ^ "In Surprise, Emir of Qatar Plans to Abdicate, Handing Power to Son", The New York Times, 25 June 2013.
  68. ^ Maierbrugger, Arno (25 June 2013). "Qatar emir resigns, hands over power to son". Inside Investor. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  69. ^ "Qatari royals rush to Switzerland in nine planes after emir breaks leg". The Guardian. 29 December 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  70. ^ "Emir of Qatar receives a healthy new kidney". 21 January 2024.
  71. ^ Nordland, Rod (24 June 2013). "In Surprise, Emir of Qatar Plans to Abdicate, Handing Power to Son". The New York Times.
  72. ^ Nossiter, Adam (30 April 2008). "Emir of Qatar Tours New Orleans to See Fruit of His $100 Million Donation". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  73. ^ "Emir of Qatar favors Arab troops in Syria". CBS News. 13 January 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  74. ^ "Al Udeid Air Force Base in Doha, Qatar". Military Bases. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  75. ^ Israel Foreign Minister and the Emir of Qatar (ENGLISH). IsraelConsulate. 26 September 2007. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2012. Israel Foreign Minister meets with the emir of Qatar in New York City. The interview is translated to English.
  76. ^ Benhorin, Yitzhak (25 September 2007). "Livni has surprise meeting with Qatari emir: Unscheduled meeting takes place between Israeli FM Tzipi Livni and Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in New York where the two are attending UN General Assembly summit". Ynetnews. Retrieved 1 March 2012. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni met with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Tuesday, in the highest-ranking meeting between Qatari and Israeli officials. The two met during a United Nations General Assembly summit in New York after the emir invited Livni and the Israeli delegation to join him in an unscheduled meeting outside of the UN headquarters. Officials said the meeting was "extremely positive." Livni discussed with the emir the importance of moderate Islamic nations – like Qatar – supporting the Palestinians in advancing the diplomatic process.
  77. ^ Qatar, Mauritania cut Israel ties Al Jazeera. Date: Friday, 16 January 2009
  78. ^ "Qatar emir: Arab identity in Jerusalem at risk". CBS News. 26 February 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.[dead link‍]
  79. ^ "Send Arab troops to Syria, Emir of Qatar says". France 24. 14 January 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  80. ^ "Qatari emir in historic Gaza visit". Al Jazeera. 23 October 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
  81. ^ "Qatar ruler set for landmark visit to Gaza". BBC News. 23 October 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
  82. ^ "Gaza blast ahead of Qatari's visit". Evening Herald. 23 October 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2012.[dead link‍]
  83. ^ "Qatar's Emir Visits Gaza, Pledging $400 Million to Hamas", The New York Times, 23 October 2012.
  84. ^ "Qatari Sheikh Said to Want to Visit Israel on Business", The Wall Street Journal, 2 May 2013.
  85. ^ "Al Qaeda in Syria", Editorial, The New York Times, 10 December 2012.
  86. ^ Kerr, Simeon, and Vita Bekker, "Qatar emir in landmark trip to Gaza", Financial Times, 23 October 2012.
  87. ^ "Analysts: Qatar supports Gaza not Hamas". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  88. ^ "Qatar". United States Department of State. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  89. ^ "US envoy to thank Qatar for counterterrorism efforts". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  90. ^ Bollier, Sam. "Qatar's renaissance man". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  91. ^ "Brunei". Nation Multimedia. Archived from the original on 21 June 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  92. ^ "الاقتصادية :أمير قطر : اللقب الرسمي للشيخ حمد هو "الأمير الوالد"". 27 June 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  93. ^ "Congratulations pour in for Emir and Father Emir". 27 June 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  94. ^ "Presidenti Nishani pritet nga Emiri i Shtetit të Katarit, Sheik Hamad Bin Khalifa al Thani | President". Archived from the original on 13 March 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  95. ^ "Presidenti i Republikës, Sh.T.Z. Bujar Nishani, gjatë vizitës shtetërore në Katar, u prit sot nga Emiri, Sheikh Tamin Bin Hamad Al-Thani | President". Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  96. ^ "Reply to a parliamentary question about the Decoration of Honour" (PDF) (in German). p. 1923. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  97. ^ a b c d e f g h "Orders Received by H.H The Amir". 26 April 2010. Archived from the original on 26 April 2010.
  98. ^ Decree number 675-08 by Leonel Fernandez Consultoria del Poder Ejecutivo (Spanish)
  99. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Publitec Publications (2007). Who's Who in the Arab World 2007-2008. De Gruyter. p. 806. ISBN 978-3598077357.
  100. ^ "Bahagian Istiadat dan Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa". www.istiadat.gov.my. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  101. ^ Koningin zegt het met parels in Qatar – website of the Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch))
  102. ^ "Order "September 8" for Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar". Heraldika.mk. 17 October 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  103. ^ "Condecorados: Orden El Sol del Peru" (PDF). Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 October 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  104. ^ "Emir makes Qatar's first-ever state visit to the Philippines". Doha News. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  105. ^ Recipients of the order (Excel sheet) Archived 28 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine – website of the Romanian President
  106. ^ "Real Decreto 587/2011" (PDF). Boletín Oficial del Estado. 21 April 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  107. ^ "Honorary British awards to foreign nationals - 2010" (PDF). Gov.uk. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  108. ^ "Venezuela and Qatar sign trade cooperation agreement". Radio Nacional de Venezuela. 22 January 2010. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  109. ^ "Bashkia Tiranë". Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  110. ^ "Emir of Qatar is awarded the IAAF Golden Order of Merit". World Athletics. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  111. ^ "The FP Top 100 Global Thinkers". Foreign Policy. 26 November 2012. Archived from the original on 30 November 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
[edit]

Media related to Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani at Wikimedia Commons

Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Born: 1952
Regnal titles
Preceded by Emir of Qatar
1995–2013 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Prime Minister of Qatar
1995–1996 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hamad_bin_Khalifa_Al_Thani&oldid=1259336624"