Knowra Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was Qatar’s emir from 1995 to 2013. His rule expanded the country’s international influence, accelerated modernization, and established Al Jazeera.
Al Jazeera : A Qatar-based Arabic and international news network launched in 1996. Hamad’s government founded the network, which became a prominent instrument of Qatar’s global influence.
1995 Qatari coup d'état : The bloodless 1995 seizure of power in which Hamad deposed his father, Emir Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani. It brought Hamad to power and began his program of state-led transformation.
Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani : Qatar’s emir from 1972 to 1995 and Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s father. Hamad replaced his father in 1995, marking a generational and political break.
Qatar : A sovereign state on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Hamad’s policies transformed this small state into a more prominent economic and diplomatic actor.
Qatar National Vision 2030 : Qatar’s long-term development framework, launched in 2008, for economic and social transformation. It formalized a modernization agenda pursued during Hamad’s rule.
Natural gas in Qatar : Qatar’s large natural-gas reserves, especially in the North Field, underpin its energy exports and state revenues. Gas wealth financed infrastructure, social spending, and international investments under Hamad.
Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani : Qatar’s emir since 2013 and Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s son. Hamad transferred power to Tamim in 2013, making succession part of his legacy.
Qatar–Bahrain dispute : A territorial and maritime dispute between Qatar and Bahrain, resolved by the International Court of Justice in 2001. The ruling settled a longstanding neighboring-state dispute during Hamad’s tenure.
Qatar Investment Authority : Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, established in 2005 to invest state revenues. It channeled hydrocarbon wealth into global investments as Qatar expanded its economic reach.
North Field : A vast offshore natural-gas field shared by Qatar and Iran, known in Iran as South Pars. Developing this field made liquefied natural gas central to Qatar’s economic expansion.
Show all 20