Qatar's Amiri Diwan confirmed the death in a statement issued Sunday morning, saying the country's "great leader" had passed away and offering prayers for him. The former Emir, who ruled Qatar from 1995 until his voluntary abdication in 2013, is widely credited with transforming the small Gulf nation into a major player in global diplomacy, media and investment — a legacy that includes the launch of Al Jazeera in 1996 and Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Qatar has announced a four-day mourning period, with flags at half-mast and government offices closed.

Modi posted his condolences on X, describing Sheikh Hamad as a "visionary leader" and recalling that he'd had the honour of meeting him personally during his visit to Qatar in February 2024. The Prime Minister extended his sympathies to the current Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, along with the royal family and the people of Qatar, and offered prayers for the departed leader. Modi's message came as he was returning to India following the final leg of his three-nation Indo-Pacific tour.

Sheikh Hamad's death has drawn condolences from leaders across the world. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Dubai's ruler, and Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam were among those who issued statements mourning his passing, several of them describing his role in shaping the modern Gulf region as historic.

Sheikh Hamad came to power in 1995 after deposing his father in a bloodless palace coup, and went on to steer Qatar through nearly two decades of rapid transformation — from a relatively obscure emirate into one of the world's largest exporters of liquefied natural gas and an increasingly influential voice in regional diplomacy. He played a mediating role in conflicts ranging from Sudan's Darfur crisis to Lebanese factional disputes and the Hamas-Fatah rift, and in 2012 became the first head of state to visit the Gaza Strip since Hamas took control there five years earlier. In 2013, he made history in the Gulf Arab world by voluntarily handing power to his son, Sheikh Tamim, rather than ruling until death — a rare and, at the time, surprising move in the region.

Funeral prayers for Sheikh Hamad were scheduled for Sunday evening in Doha, with burial to follow at Lusail Cemetery.