The architect of modern Qatar, former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has died at the age of 74.Fondly known as Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad, who ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, leaves behind a legacy that includes sweeping economic, social and cultural reforms in Qatar, raising the Gulf country’s profile on the regional and global stage.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listDuring his 18-year rule, Qatar’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew more than 24-fold as the small nation of nearly 2.5 million people became one of the world’s largest exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG).Sheikh Hamad’s tenure also saw the adoption of Qatar’s permanent constitution and the launch of the Qatar National Vision 2030, a long-term strategy aimed at transforming the country into a knowledge-based economy and achieving sustainable development.Here is a look at some key moments in the former Qatari emir’s life:Path to leadershipBorn in January 1952 in Doha, Sheikh Hamad was raised and received his early education in the city.In 1971, he graduated from the British Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, United Kingdom, and joined the Qatar armed forces, where he reached the rank of major-general. He was credited with playing a pivotal role in developing the armed forces in terms of ordnance, according to a statement by the Amiri Diwan.On May 31, 1977, Sheikh Hamad was appointed the heir apparent and minister of defence. On May 10, 1989, he was appointed the chairman of the Supreme Council for Planning, where he was tasked with developing Qatar’s social and economic policies. Advertisement After a successful career in the military and senior government positions, Sheikh Hamad assumed leadership of Qatar on June …
