Former Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad Dies Aged 74

Was Sheikh Hamad a modernizer or did he engage in more controversial projects?

JUL 13·Updated JUL 15

Former Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad Dies Aged 74

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Above: A portrait of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in Doha on July 12. Image credit: Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Numerous world leaders have paid tribute to Sheikh Hamad, a remarkable world leader who masterminded his country's rise from a fledgling nation to an economic powerhouse that forever changed the fate of his country.

BBC News Al Jazeera

Establishment-critical narrative

While Sheikh Hamad no doubt transformed Qatar, he also oversaw various controversial chapters of the country's history. He used his country's wealth to prop up the Islamic Brotherhood in the region, as well as anti-government protestors during the Arab Spring, causing rifts between Qatar and its neighbors and ultimately fueling regional instability.

Reuters Independent

Pro-Palestine narrative

Sheikh Hamad will be remembered for his staunch defense of Palestinians. Not only was he the first Arab leader to visit the Gaza Strip and actively speak about its plight, he also funded numerous humanitarian projects that gave its people an essential lifeline.

Al Jazeera

Metaculus Prediction

Editor's Note

This story currently has limited reporting from right-leaning sources. We will continue to monitor all major outlets and update our coverage as additional perspectives become available.