Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

This is an Arabic name; the family name is Al Thani.
H.H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
الشيخ حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني
Emir of the State of Qatar
Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.jpg
Reign 27 June 1995 – present
Born 1952
Predecessor Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani
Heir-Apparent Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani
Consort Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned
Royal House House of Thani
Father Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Hamad bin Abdullah bin Jassim bin Muhammed Al Thani (Arabic: الشيخ حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني‎) (born in 1952), is the Emir of the state of Qatar. He rose to that position on June 26, 1995[1], after deposing his father, who was on vacation in Switzerland at the time.

Sheikh Hamad had been acclaimed Crown Prince in 1977 and at the same time was appointed Minister of Defense[2]. In the early 1980s he led the Supreme Planning Council, which sets the Qatar's basic economic and social policies. Since 1992, Sheikh Hamad has selected Qatar's cabinet and been responsible for administering the country's day-to-day affairs[1]. He has also led the development of Qatar's oil and natural gas resources.

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Early life

Sheikh Hamad began his education in Qatar and later attended Sandhurst Military Academy in England. Upon his graduation in 1971, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Qatari armed forces and commanded the 1st Mobile Battalion, which has since been designated the "Hamad Mobile Battalion" in his honor.

Sheikh Hamad was later promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed Commander in Chief of the Qatari Armed Forces. He oversaw an extensive program to modernize Qatar's military, increasing manpower, creating new units, updating weaponry, and improving training. The effects of this program were evident during the Gulf War when Qatari forces helped liberate Kuwait.

As Emir

Vladimir Putin with Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, 2007

During the last several years, Sheikh Hamad has represented Qatar on official state visits and at numerous Persian Gulf and international forums. His role as a leader and diplomat has earned him worldwide honors: the Order of Oman from the Sultanate of Oman, the Order of the Nile from Egypt, the Order of King Abdul Aziz from Saudi Arabia, the Indonesian Order of Ibn 'Azeem, Nishan-e-Pakistan from Pakistan, the Order of Francisco de Miranda from Venezuela, the Order of St. Michael and St. George from Britain, the Order of Grand Officier of the Légion d'honneur from France, the Mohammedi Medal from Morocco and the Lebanese Ordre du Mérite. A keen sportsman and an accomplished diver, Sheikh Hamad has played an active role in promoting and developing athletics in Qatar. His activism has enhanced the country's involvement and performance in a number of international competitions, including: winning an Olympic medal in track and field; hosting a wide variety of international sporting events such as the 15th Asian Games, GCC, Asian and World Youth soccer championships; and initiating the Qatar Open Tennis Championship which has grown to become one of two premier tennis competitions in the Middle East.

Diplomacy

The Emir has proven to be one of the most progressive Persian Gulf leaders in the realm of international relations. Despite the prevalence of anti-Israel sentiment within the Arab world, he met with Israeli minister Tzipi Livni in New York. This marks the first real attempt by any leader in the Persian Gulf to pursue dialogue with Israel. [3]

See also

References

External links

Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
House of Al-Thani
Born: 1952
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani		 Emir of Qatar
1995 – present		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
Designated heir:
Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani
Prime Ministers of Qatar
Khalifa bin Hamad • Hamad bin Khalifa • Abdullah bin Khalifa • Hamad bin Jassim
 Flag of Qatar