Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani
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Sheikh Tamim in 2025
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| Emir of Qatar | |||||
| Reign | 25 June 2013 – present | ||||
| Predecessor | Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani | ||||
| Deputy Emir | Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani | ||||
| Prime Minister | Abdullah bin Nasser Khalid bin Khalifa Mohammed bin Abdulrahman |
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| Born | 3 June 1980 Doha, Qatar |
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| Spouse |
Jawaher bint Hamad Al Thani
(m. 2005)Al-Anoud bint Mana Al Hajri
(m. 2009)Noora bint Hathal Al Dosari
(m. 2014) |
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| Issue Detail |
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| House | Al Thani | ||||
| Father | Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani | ||||
| Mother | Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned | ||||
| Signature |  |
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| Military career | |||||
| Allegiance |  Qatar |
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| Service/ |
Qatar Armed Forces | ||||
| Years of service | 2013–present | ||||
| Styles of Emir of Qatar |
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| Reference style | His Highness |
| Spoken style | Your Highness |
| Alternative style | Sheikh |
Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (Arabic: تميم بن حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني, romanized: Tamīm bin Ḥamad bin Khalīfa Āl Thānī; born 3 June 1980) is the Emir of Qatar, a country in the Middle East. He has been the leader of Qatar since 2013.
Tamim is the fourth son of the previous Emir, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. His mother is Moza bint Nassir. He became the next in line to the throne in 2003. This happened after his older brother, Sheikh Jassim, decided not to become Emir. Tamim became Emir when his father stepped down in 2013.
Early Life and Education
Tamim bin Hamad was born on 3 June 1980 in Doha, the capital city of Qatar. He is the fourth son of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. His mother is Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned.
Tamim went to school in the UK. He studied at Sherborne School and Harrow School. After that, he attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He finished his military training there in 1998.
Career Highlights
After graduating from Sandhurst, Sheikh Tamim joined the Qatar Armed Forces as a second lieutenant. He became the heir to the Qatari throne on 5 August 2003. This was after his older brother, Sheikh Jassim, decided to give up his claim to the title. From then on, Tamim was prepared to take over the country's leadership. He worked in important roles related to security and the economy.
Promoting Sports
Sheikh Tamim has strongly supported sports to help Qatar gain international recognition. In 2005, he started Oryx Qatar Sports Investments. This company owns the famous football club Paris Saint-Germain F.C. and other sports businesses.
In 2006, he led the committee for the 15th Asian Games in Doha. For the first time, all member countries attended this event. That year, an Egyptian newspaper called Al Ahram named Tamim "the best sport personality in the Arab world."
Under his guidance, Qatar won the right to host the 2014 FINA Swimming World Championships. Qatar also hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Tamim is the chairman of the National Olympic Committee. He was also chosen as a member of the IOC in 2002.
Economic Leadership
Sheikh Tamim leads the board of directors for the Qatar Investment Authority. This is a special fund that invests Qatar's money. Under his leadership, the fund has invested billions in businesses in the UK. It owns large parts of companies like Barclays Bank, Sainsbury's, and the famous department store Harrods. The fund also owns most of the Shard, a very tall skyscraper in London.
Other Important Roles
Tamim has held many other important positions, including:
- Head of the Supreme Council for the Environment and Natural Reserves.
- Chairman of the Supreme Education Council.
- Chairman of the Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology.
- Chairman of the board for the Public Works Authority.
- Chairman of the board of regents for Qatar University.
- Deputy chairman of the Ruling Family Council.
Becoming Emir
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On 25 June 2013, Tamim's father, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, announced that he would step down as the Emir of Qatar. Tamim then became the Emir in a televised speech. Unlike previous rulers in Qatar, Tamim became Emir because his father chose to hand over power, not through a takeover. The change in leadership happened smoothly.
Sheikh Tamim had been preparing for this role for many years. He became the crown prince in 2003 after his brother Sheikh Jassim decided to step down. Jassim sent a letter to his father, saying it was time to prepare for a new leader.
Reign as Emir
As Emir, Tamim has focused on Qatar's internal development and its role in the world.
Domestic Policies
One of Tamim's first actions was to combine different government departments. He also reduced the budgets of some large organizations, like the Qatar Foundation.
Since he became Emir, the government has improved roads around the capital. They also built the new Doha Metro system and completed the Hamad International Airport. Tamim has promised to keep Qatar's economy strong and diverse, not just relying on oil and gas.
In 2014, Tamim approved new laws about online activities. These laws aimed to prevent the spread of "false news" and material that goes against the country's "social values."
In June 2013, Sheikh Tamim announced his new government team. Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah became the foreign minister. Tamim also appointed Hessa Al Jaber as the first-ever Minister of Information and Communications Technology in Qatar. She was the third woman to become a minister in the cabinet.
In January 2016, Tamim made more changes to his cabinet. He appointed a new foreign minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. He also combined several government ministries to make them more efficient.
In August 2021, Tamim announced the first-ever elections for the Consultative Assembly of Qatar. These elections took place on 2 October 2021. The Assembly can discuss laws and budgets, but the Emir still appoints some members and has the final say on major issues.
Worker Rights
During Tamim's rule, Qatar has made efforts to improve conditions for foreign workers. In 2017, two laws were passed to protect workers' rights. These included rules about working hours and annual leave.
In 2018, Sheikh Tamim passed a law that removed the need for most migrant workers to get their employer's permission to leave the country. This was a big step towards improving worker freedoms.
In November 2017, Qatar and the International Labour Organization (ILO) started working together. They aimed to improve working conditions and rights for workers. The ILO opened its first office in Qatar in April 2018.
In August 2020, a new law allowed migrant workers to change jobs without their employer's permission. This change, along with removing exit permit rules, helped to dismantle the "kafala system" which tied workers to their employers. In March 2021, Qatar set a monthly minimum wage for all workers. This made it the first country in the region to do so.
Foreign Policy
When Tamim became Emir, leaders worldwide expected him to continue Qatar's important role in international affairs. This included helping with issues like the situation in Syria.
In his first speech, Tamim promised that Qatar would continue to play a central role in the region. He also said Qatar would work closely with its neighbors in the Gulf.
In May 2022, Tamim met with leaders in Iran. He talked about the importance of standing against actions in Palestine. He also discussed improving economic ties between Iran and Qatar.
In late 2013, Sheikh Tamim visited other countries in the Gulf region. He had already represented his father at important meetings, showing his growing role in regional diplomacy.
Tamim has worked to build stronger ties with Saudi Arabia. He believes that rivalry between Qatar and Saudi Arabia is not helpful. Qatar has also provided help to political parties in Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco.
Relations with Gulf Countries
Since 2011, Qatar has been working to increase its influence in the Middle East and North Africa. This has sometimes caused tension with other Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
In March 2014, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain temporarily withdrew their ambassadors from Qatar. This was due to disagreements over Qatar's policies. Diplomatic relations were restored later that year.
On 5 June 2017, a diplomatic crisis began. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, and Bahrain cut ties with Qatar and started a blockade. They accused Qatar of supporting certain groups. In January 2021, Tamim signed an agreement that ended this blockade. The countries reopened their borders and airspace to Qatar.
Egypt
Qatar provided financial help to Egypt during the time the Muslim Brotherhood was in power. After the military took over in 2013, the new Egyptian government turned down Qatar's offers of financial aid. Qatar has always said it supports elected governments, not specific groups.
In January 2021, Qatar and Egypt agreed to restart diplomatic relations. They have since discussed and signed agreements for economic cooperation.
Qatar has denied claims that it supports extremist groups. Tamim himself has also said that Qatar does not support extremists.
In November 2023, Qatar helped make an agreement between Egypt, Israel, and Hamas. This allowed civilians to leave Gaza safely. In February 2024, Hamas proposed a deal with Qatar and Egypt helping to mediate. This deal aimed to release hostages and end the conflict.
Syria
Qatar has called for other Arab countries to intervene to stop the violence in Syria. Sheikh Tamim has continued to support Syrian opposition groups. In 2015, Qatar, along with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, provided new weapons to Syrian rebels. They also helped form a new opposition group called the "Army of Conquest."
On 7 May 2023, Sheikh Tamim left an Arab League summit before Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's speech. Qatar and Western countries have expressed concerns about Bashar al-Assad rejoining the Arab League. On 30 January 2025, Sheikh Tamim became the first head of state to visit Damascus since the fall of the Assad regime. He discussed rebuilding Syria after the conflict.
Russia
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On 13 October 2022, Tamim met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kazakhstan. Tamim spoke positively about the relationship between Qatar and Russia. Qatar has also acted as a mediator in talks between Russia and Ukraine.
Turkey
Tamim signed a military cooperation agreement with Turkey in December 2014. This agreement helps with military training and defense. It also allows Turkish and Qatari armed forces to be stationed in each other's countries.
In December 2015, Tamim signed more agreements with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. These included agreements on education and transport. They also planned to create a Turkish military base in Qatar.
In August 2018, Qatar promised to invest $15 billion in Turkey. This happened during a time when Turkey was facing economic challenges. On 6 December 2021, Tamim and Erdoğan signed 15 more agreements on culture, economy, defense, and security.
United Kingdom
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Tamim met UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Queen Elizabeth II in October 2014. This was his first official visit to the UK. Qatar and the UK planned to explore investment opportunities together.
In July 2018, Tamim and UK Prime Minister Theresa May signed an agreement. They agreed to share information about terrorism and work together on law enforcement. They also planned to improve security in transport, including airports.
Sheikh Tamim and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad Al Thani attended the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. They also attended the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted Tamim at Buckingham Palace for a state visit on 3 and 4 December 2024.
Europe
Tamim met with French President François Hollande in 2014 and 2015. In 2015, they signed an agreement for Qatar to buy Rafale jets.
Tamim met French President Emmanuel Macron several times. In 2017, they signed business deals worth over $14 billion. In 2024, Macron and Tamim signed a €10 billion agreement for investment in the French economy.
In May 2022, Tamim visited Europe. He signed energy and investment deals with countries like Spain and Germany. He also spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos for the first time.
In March 2024, Qatar helped negotiate between Russia and Ukraine. This helped reunite children with their families who were separated during the conflict. In June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Qatar and thanked Tamim for his help.
United States
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In July 2014, Tamim renewed a defense agreement with the U.S. He confirmed Qatar's cooperation with the U.S. at the Al Udeid Air Base.
After visiting U.S. President Barack Obama in February 2015, Tamim wrote that the U.S.–Qatari partnership had grown stronger. He promised to continue working on challenges in the Middle East.
Sheikh Tamim was a personal friend of U.S. President Donald Trump before he became president. He visited the United States several times during Trump's presidency.
Tamim played a role in mediating with Taliban leaders. In June 2013, the Taliban opened their first official office in Qatar. This was part of efforts to achieve peace in Afghanistan. In June 2015, Qatar helped free four Tajik soldiers kidnapped in Afghanistan.
In July 2017, the US and Qatar signed an agreement to fight the funding of terrorism. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that Qatar had made progress in stopping financial support for terrorist groups.
In August 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden thanked Tamim for Qatar's help with the US evacuations from Afghanistan. Sheikh Tamim visited Biden at the White House on 31 January 2022. Biden called Qatar a "good friend and reliable partner." He also named Qatar a major non-NATO ally.
Qatar hosted the signing of a peace deal between the US and the Taliban in February 2020. Since September 2020, Qatar has hosted peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
Qatar also helped mediate a deal between the United States and Iran. This led to the release of prisoners and the unfreezing of Iranian funds in September 2023.
United Arab Emirates
In January 2019, it was reported that a team of former US intelligence workers, working for the United Arab Emirates, had hacked the phones of activists and leaders. This included Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani's iPhone. This spying tool allowed the UAE to monitor people they saw as critics.
Israel
In 1996, Qatar started trade relations with Israel. This was the first country in the Arabian Peninsula to do so. Qatar ended commercial ties with Israel in 2009 after conflicts in Gaza.
In 2021, Qatar did not join other countries in making diplomatic agreements with Israel. It said it would only normalize ties when Israel agrees to the Arab Peace Initiative. It has been reported that Qatar has provided over $3 billion in aid to Gaza and the West Bank with Israel's approval.
Palestine
The conflict in Gaza has affected many parts of the world. Tamim has said that Qatar blames the Israeli government for the lack of success in ceasefire talks. He stated that "We are currently not experiencing a peace process, but a genocide."
In November 2024, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani confirmed Qatar's support for a two-state solution. This means creating an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Personal Life
Sheikh Tamim is known for being friendly, confident, and open. He is also described as careful and practical. He has "excellent relations" with Western countries like the United States and France.
Tamim is very interested in sports. He has been filmed playing badminton and bowling. He also has a strong interest in history and Qatar's heritage. He speaks Arabic, English, and French fluently.
Sheikh Tamim has three wives and thirteen children.
- He married his first wife, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad Al Thani, on 8 January 2005. They have four children:
- Sheikha Al Mayassa (born 2006)
- Sheikh Hamad (born 2008)
- Sheikha Aisha (born 2010)
- Sheikh Jassim (born 2012)
- He married his second wife, Sheikha Al-Anoud bint Mana Al Hajri, on 3 March 2009. They have five children:
- Sheikha Naylah (born 2010)
- Sheikh Abdullah (born 2012)
- Sheikha Rodha (born 2014)
- Sheikh Alqaqa'a (born 2015)
- Sheikha Moza (born 2018)
- He married his third wife, Sheikha Noora bint Hathal Al Dosari, on 25 February 2014. They have four children:
- Sheikh Joa'an (born 2015)
- Sheikh Mohammed (born 2017)
- Sheikh Fahad (born 2018)
- Sheikha Hind (born 2020)
Succession to the Throne
Qatar's constitution, published in 2005, states that the rule is passed down through the family. It is limited to the descendants of Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The order of who becomes Emir next is decided by appointments within the House of Al Thani.
Awards and Honors
From Qatar
- Grand Master of the Order of Independence (since 2013)
- Grand Master of the Order of Merit (since 2013)
From Other Countries
- Bahrain: Member Exceptional Class of the Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa (2004)
- Brazil: Grand Collar of the Order of the Southern Cross (2021)
- Chad: Grand Cross of the National Order of Chad (2022)
- Croatia: Member of the Grand Order of King Tomislav (2017)
- Ecuador: Grand Collar of the National Order of Merit (2018)
- France: Grand Officer of the Order of the Legion of Honour (2010)
- Italy: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2007)
- Kuwait: Collar of the Order of Mubarak the Great (2013)
- Oman: Member 1st Class (Civil division) of the Order of Oman (2021)
- Pakistan: Recipient of the Nishan-e-Pakistan (2019)
- Peru: Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun of Peru (2014)
- Poland: Knight of the Order of the White Eagle (2024)
- Singapore: Member 1st Class of the Order of Nila Utama (2009)
- Spain: Knight of the Collar of the Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic (2022)
- Sudan: Collar of Honour (2014)
- Tunisia: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Republic (2014)
- United Arab Emirates: Collar of the Order of Zayed (2005)
- United Kingdom: Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (2024)
Other Awards
- Egypt: Al-Ahram Newspaper: "Best Sports Personality in the Arab World" – 2006
- International Olympic Committee: Olympic Council of Asia: "OCA Award of Merit" – 2007
See also
In Spanish: Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani para niños
