Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani الشيخ حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني
Emir of Qatar
Reign	27 June 1995 – present
Predecessor	Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani
House	House of Thani
Father	Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani
Religion	Muslim - Sunni

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani (Arabic: الشيخ حمد بن خليفة آلثاني) (born in 1952), is the Emir of the state of Qatar. He raised to that position on June 26 1995, after deposing his father, who was vacationing in Switzerland at the time.

Sheikh Hamad had been acclaimed Crown Prince in 1977 and at the same time was appointed Minister of Defense. 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. He has also led the development of Qatar's oil and natural gas resources.

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 and led the battle for the recapture of the Saudi town of Khafji.

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.

During the last several years, Sheikh Hamad has represented Qatar on official state visits and at numerous 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, the Order of Francisco de Miranda from Venezuela, the Order of St. Michael and St. George from Britain, the Order of Grand Officer of the Légion d'honneur from France, the Mohammedi Medal from Morocco and the Lebanese Order of Merit.

See also

• List of emirs of Qatar
• Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned
• List of the Wealthiest Royals

External links

• official site of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani
• The Al-Thani Dynasty
• portrait of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani
• Denver Post article on His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani and his rise to power
• official site of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned
• Stargate Photo of Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa's yacht no. 1
• Constellation Photo of Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa's yacht no. 2