Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani |
|
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg)
Hamad in 2013
|
|
| Emir of Qatar | |
| Reign | 27 June 1995 – 25 June 2013 |
| Predecessor | Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani |
| Successor | Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani |
| Prime Minister |
|
| Heir Apparent |
|
| Father Emir of Qatar | |
| Reign | 25 June 2013 – present |
| Monarch | Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani |
| Prime Minister |
|
| Born | Hamad bin Khalifa bin Hamad bin Abdullah bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani 1 January 1952 Doha, Qatar |
| Spouse |
|
| Issue | See link |
| House | Thani |
| Father | Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani |
| Mother | Aisha bint Hamad Al Attiyah |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Qatar |
| Service/ |
Qatar Armed Forces |
Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (Arabic: حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني) was born on January 1, 1952. He is a member of Qatar's royal family, known as the House of Thani. He served as the leader, or Emir, of Qatar from 1995 to 2013. In 2013, he decided to step down and gave power to his fourth son, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. His son was born to his second wife, Moza bint Nasser. Today, the government of Qatar calls him the Father Emir.
Hamad became Emir in 1995 by taking power from his father, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani. This change happened peacefully. During his 18 years as ruler, Qatar became very rich. This was because of its large natural gas production. Qatar became one of the richest countries in the world based on how much money each person earned. Many important sports and diplomatic events happened in Qatar during his time. These included the 2006 Asian Games and the decision to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He also started the Qatar Investment Authority, which invested billions of dollars around the world. He also founded the news network Al Jazeera. In June 2013, Hamad announced on TV that he was giving power to his son, Tamim.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Hamad was born in 1952. His mother passed away shortly after he was born, and his uncle raised him.
He studied at the British Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, Berkshire and finished in 1971. After that, he became a lieutenant colonel in Qatar's army. When he returned to Qatar, he became the commander of a special military group. By 1972, Hamad was a general and became the army chief of staff. Later, he was made commander-in-chief of Qatar's armed forces. In 1977, he became the minister of defense.
In 1977, Hamad was named the future leader, or Heir Apparent, of Qatar. He held this role until 1995. In the early 1980s, he led a council that planned Qatar's economic and social policies. From 1992, his father slowly gave him more responsibility for running the country. This included developing Qatar's oil and natural gas. This made Hamad the effective ruler, but his father still controlled the country's money. On June 27, 1995, he became the Emir of Qatar.
Time as Emir (1995–2013)
With his family's support, Hamad took over as Emir in 1995. This happened while his father, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, was on vacation. His father then lived outside Qatar for a while before returning in 2001.
Hamad worked to protect Qatar from any attempts to take back power. In 1996, there was an attempt to overthrow Hamad, but it failed.
His second wife, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned, played a big role in promoting education and helping children. In 1995, Sheikh Hamad and Sheikha Moza started the Qatar Foundation. This organization supports education, science, and community development.
Hamad is also a sportsman and a good diver. He worked hard to support and grow sports in Qatar. Because of his efforts, Qatar has done well in international sports events. It won an Olympic medal in track and field. Qatar also hosted many international sports events, like the 2006 Asian Games. He also started the Qatar Open Tennis Championship.
Under his rule, the Qatari government helped fund the Al Jazeera news network. This was done through a special order. Al Jazeera aimed to become self-sufficient, but the Emir continued to provide support.
In 2010, Qatar won the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This made Qatar the first country in the Middle East to host this major football event.
How Qatar Was Governed
Hamad ruled Qatar without any organized political parties. News outlets in Qatar practiced self-censorship.
Oil and Gas Wealth
Hamad focused on making Qatar a major world power. He did this by using the country's large oil fields. He also developed the world's third-largest natural gas reserves. By 2010, Qatar's liquefied natural gas production reached 77 million tons. This made Qatar one of the richest countries in the world. With a small population, the average income per person became very high.
In 2005, Hamad helped create the Qatar Investment Authority. This is a special fund that manages the country's extra money from oil and natural gas. This fund has bought many businesses around the world. These include the famous department store Harrods in London. It also bought the French football club Paris Saint-Germain F.C.. Other investments include parts of Volkswagen and Siemens. Qatar is also a big property owner in London. Its holdings include The Shard, which is the tallest building in the United Kingdom.
There were also rumors that Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani wanted to buy Manchester United F.C.. This showed Qatar's growing interest in global football.
Culture and Education
In the arts, Hamad started the Qatar Museums Authority in 2005. This led to the building of the I. M. Pei designed Museum of Islamic Art Doha. Qatar has become a major buyer of modern art.
The Doha Film Institute was also created in 2009. It worked with the Tribeca Film Festival to create the Doha Tribeca Film Festival. The Doha Film Institute has helped produce several movies.
With the support of Hamad and his wife, Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser Al-Missned, many well-known universities opened campuses in Doha. These include Carnegie Mellon University and Georgetown University.
Retirement and Later Life
On June 25, 2013, Hamad gave power to his son Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. He said it was time for a new generation to lead the nation.
Since he retired, people often call him the Father Emir. His fourth son, Tamim, is now the current Emir of Qatar.
Hamad has had some health issues over the years. He had kidney transplants in the past and is currently on dialysis.
Foreign Relations
The Emir made a large donation to help New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He also played a key role in helping during the 2006 Lebanon War.
In 2012, the Emir suggested sending Arab troops to help stop violence in the Syrian civil war. Qatar also provided two military bases for foreign troops.
He had friendly relations with Israel for a time. However, Qatar ended diplomatic ties with Israel in 2009. This was in response to Israel's actions during the Gaza War.
Palestine and Syria
In October 2012, the Emir made an important visit to Gaza. He was the first head of state to visit since 2006. While there, he announced a large project to rebuild the area. He also pledged money for humanitarian aid to Hamas.
The Qatari government has introduced new laws to fight terrorism and its funding. In August 2020, the US State Department thanked Qatar for its efforts against terrorism.
Investments
In 2013, Hamad established the Qatar Investment Authority. This authority has invested over $100 billion around the world. These investments include The Shard building in London and shares in Barclays Bank. They also own parts of Heathrow Airport and Harrods department store. Other investments include the Paris Saint-Germain F.C. football club, Siemens, and Royal Dutch Shell. They also hold a large share in the Volkswagen Group.
Hamad is listed as the owner of some companies with bank accounts in Luxembourg. These companies also have shares in other businesses.
Marriages and Children
Sheikh Hamad has three wives and twenty-four children. He has eleven sons and thirteen daughters.
- His first wife is Sheikha Mariam bint Muhammad Al Thani. They have two sons and six daughters:
- Sheikh Mishaal bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (born 1972)
- Sheikh Fahad bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
- Sheikha Aisha bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
- Sheikha Fatima bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
- Sheikha Rawdah bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
- Sheikha Hessa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
- Sheikha Mashael bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
- Sheikha Sara bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
- His second wife is Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned (born August 8, 1959). They have five sons and two daughters:
- Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (born August 25, 1978)
- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (born June 3, 1980) – the current Emir of Qatar
- Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (born 1983)
- Sheikha Hind bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (born August 15, 1984)
- Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (born 1986)
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (born April 18, 1988)
- Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (born November 11, 1991)
- His third wife is Sheikha Noora bint Khalid Al Thani. They have four sons and five daughters:
- Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
- Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani – Deputy Emir of Qatar since 2014
- Sheikh Thani bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (born January 16, 1994)
- Sheikh Al Qaqa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (born June 30, 2000)
- Sheikha Luluwah bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
- Sheikha Maha bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
- Sheikha Dana bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
- Sheikha Al Anoud bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
- Sheikha Mariam bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Titles and Honours
| Styles of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani |
|
|---|---|
| Reference style | His Highness |
| Spoken style | Your Highness |
Titles Held
- 1952 – 1972: Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
- 1972 – 1977: His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
- 1977 – 1995: His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Crown Prince of Qatar
- 1995 – 2013: His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar
- 2013 – present: His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Father Emir of Qatar
Awards and Recognitions
.jpg)
Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has received many honors and awards from Qatar and other countries around the world. These include:
- From 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
- From Other Countries: He has received high honors from countries like Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Spain, and the United Kingdom. These awards recognize his important role in international relations.
- Special Awards:
* He was made an Honorary Citizen of the City of Tirana in Albania. * The International Association of Athletics Federations gave him the Golden Order of Merit. * Foreign Policy Magazine named him a "Top 100 Global Thinker" for his leadership in the Middle East.
Images for kids
-
Hamad with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, September 2010
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Hamad bin Jalifa Al Thani para niños
