Why leaders from around the world gathered in Qatar after the death of the 'Father Emir'

Qatar has received an outpouring of condolences from world leaders following the death of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the ruler widely credited with transforming the Gulf state into a major diplomatic, economic and media power.

Sheikh Hamad, known as the "Father Emir," died on Sunday, 12 July, at the age of 74. His son and successor, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, declared three days of mourning and received heads of state, senior royals, government officials and international dignitaries at Lusail Palace, says Al Jazeera.

Here is what to know about the global response.

Who was Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani?

Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 until voluntarily handing power to his son in 2013, becoming one of the few Gulf rulers to abdicate peacefully.

During his 18-year reign, Qatar underwent rapid economic development driven by its vast natural gas reserves. The country expanded its global diplomatic role, invested heavily overseas and emerged as a regional mediator in conflicts across the Middle East and beyond.

Sheikh Hamad is also widely credited with reshaping the Arab media landscape through the launch of Al Jazeera in 1996, giving Qatar an influential international platform.

His leadership transformed Qatar from a relatively small Gulf state into a country with significant global political and economic influence.

Why have so many leaders travelled to Doha?

The scale of the international response reflects Sheikh Hamad's role in building Qatar's diplomatic relationships over nearly two decades in power and the country's continued influence under Emir Sheikh Tamim.

Leaders from the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia either travelled to Doha in person or conveyed condolences by telephone, underscoring Qatar's close ties with governments across multiple regions.

Many visiting leaders described Sheikh Hamad as a "man of vision and courage" whose leadership changed both Qatar and the wider Arab world.

Which Middle Eastern leaders attended?

Neighbouring Gulf states were among the first to send senior representatives.

Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Saudi Arabia's Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said all visited Lusail Palace on Monday.

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conveyed his condolences by telephone, while Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Ajman Crown Prince Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi travelled to Doha.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Sheikh Tamim in person on Tuesday, while Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi also offered his condolences.

Other regional leaders included Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Iraq's President Nizar Amidi, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, Morocco's Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and Libya's Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and Mohamed Younis al-Menfi.

Who else paid their respects?

Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Hafiz Uddin Ahmad left Dhaka yesterday for Qatar on a visit to pay a courtesy call on Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and, on behalf of the prime minister, also convey condolences and express sympathy over the death of former emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Representatives from Europe, Africa and Asia also attended.

Britain was represented by Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, while Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Switzerland's Vice President Ignazio Cassis also offered condolences.

International organisations were represented by Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy and Fifa President Gianni Infantino.

African leaders included Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, Comoros President Azali Assoumani, Rwanda's President Paul Kagame and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Other Asian representatives included Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and India's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who conveyed condolences on behalf of the Indian government.

What does the response indicate?

The broad international attendance highlighted Qatar's extensive diplomatic network and the enduring legacy of Sheikh Hamad's foreign policy.

During his rule, Qatar developed close relationships with governments across the Gulf, the wider Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia while positioning itself as a mediator in regional and international disputes.

The attendance of senior royals, presidents, prime ministers and leaders of international organisations reflected both Sheikh Hamad's personal standing and Qatar's continued importance in regional and global affairs under Emir Sheikh Tamim.