On Sunday, July 12, 2026, millions of viewers around the globe found themselves in a state of disbelief, not due to their team's defeat in the 2026 World Cup, which was dominating television broadcasts, but rather because of the shocking announcement of the death of Sheikh Hamad Ben Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar, who passed away at the age of 74 in Doha.
This remarkable leader, who voluntarily relinquished power in 2013 in favor of his son Tamim, was far from an ordinary prince in the history of the small emirate. Ascending to power in 1995, he was instrumental in transforming Qatar into a formidable nation both politically and economically, amassing a financial clout of hundreds of billions of dollars. He also played a pivotal role in establishing the Al Jazeera television network in 1996, which quickly became one of the most prominent and influential media outlets worldwide, especially within the Arab-Muslim community.
Sheikh Hamad Ben Khalifa held a particularly close bond with Morocco and its monarch. He frequently visited the country for both official engagements and private stays. Notably, in September 2011, he traveled to Marrakech with his wife, Sheikha Moza, and several members of his government. Even after his abdication, his affection for Morocco remained evident, as he spent his winter holidays in Ifrane in 2015 and returned to their villa in the Palmeraie of Marrakech in 2020, a city that the royal couple cherished dearly.
In addition to his political and economic accomplishments, Sheikh Hamad was also an avid hunter. He owned a reserve for breeding bustards near Boujdour and a palace close to Al Mahbes in the Assa-Zag province. His strong attachment to Morocco led him to request and successfully obtain permission to construct a hospital in Boujdour, which bears his name. This 75-bed facility was designed to serve the local population with the highest standards of care.
In a heartfelt message of condolence addressed to Prince Tamim, His Majesty the King expressed his profound sorrow and regret at the painful news of the loss of the esteemed Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, praying that God envelop him in His holy mercy and welcomes him into His vast paradise among His blessed servants.
During the funeral in Doha, Aziz Akhannouch, the head of the Moroccan government, represented His Majesty the King to convey the Sovereign's condolences to the Emir of Qatar. In an audience granted to Mr. Akhannouch, Emir Tamim expressed his gratitude to King Mohammed VI and highlighted the personal bonds that unite him with his royal brother, as well as the strength of the ties between the two brotherly nations—Qatar and Morocco. Such sentiments undoubtedly encapsulate the enduring and robust bilateral relations between Rabat and Doha.
As reported by maroc-hebdo.com.
