Sheikh Hamad: Qatar's Visionary Ruler | Global News

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar’s visionary former ruler who died at 74, reshaped the tiny Gulf state into a global media, diplomatic, and economic force — launching Al Jazeera, buying Harrod’s, hosting the 2022 World Cup, and pioneering bold foreign policy moves that stirred controversy. His 18-year reign, marked by a historic 2013 voluntary abdication to his son, symbolized Qatar’s embrace of reform and youth engagement — a rare move in the region. Though his leadership sparked debate over Al Jazeera’s bias and Qatar’s ties to Iran and Hamas, his legacy is inextricably linked to Qatar’s modern identity and its outsized global influence. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/18d0191424a0acb8