Four-day mourning declared in Qatar following death of former emir

A four-day national mourning has been declared in Qatar following the death of the former head of state, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The decision was made by the office of the country's current emir.

As reported by BAKU.WS with reference to foreign media, the mourning began on July 12. State flags will be flown at half-mast across the country for four days. Starting from July 13, the operations of ministries, government departments, and other state institutions will also be suspended. Civil servants will return to their duties on July 19.

A funeral prayer for the former ruler will be held on the evening of July 12 at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque in Doha. After the ceremony, Sheikh Hamad will be buried at a cemetery in the city of Lusail. The current Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will receive condolences from July 13 to 15, with the participation of heads of state, members of the ruling family, and residents of the country.

The death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was officially announced on the morning of July 12. The former emir passed away at the age of 74. He led Qatar from 1995 to 2013, after which he voluntarily transferred power to his son — the current Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. After his abdication, he held the official title of Father of the Emir.