India will observe a one-day national mourning on July 13 following the death of former Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced on Sunday.
The National Flag will fly at half-mast across all government buildings, and official entertainment will be suspended for the day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Sheikh Hamad as a visionary leader who elevated Qatar’s global standing and maintained strong ties with India.
Sheikh Hamad’s Legacy and India’s Response
Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, overseeing its transformation into a regional power through strategic use of its vast natural gas reserves. He assumed power in a bloodless coup, replacing his father while abroad.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju is expected to visit Qatar to convey India’s condolences. Qatari authorities have scheduled funeral prayers for Sunday evening, with public mourning and closures of government offices to follow.
Qatar’s Period of Mourning
During the mourning period, flags in Qatar will also fly at half-mast, and public institutions will remain closed. Sheikh Hamad’s leadership saw Qatar become one of the world’s wealthiest nations by GDP per capita, with a population of around two million, mostly expatriates.
