Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Jazeera, paid tribute on July 15, 2026, to the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, known as the Father Emir of Qatar. He described him as a humane emir, a brave leader, and a great father who deeply loved Qatar and its people.

Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer highlighted that advancing the nation was the Father Emir’s primary concern, which led Qatar to achieve advanced ranks in various fields, including media. He noted that the Al Jazeera Media Network was one of the significant projects launched during Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa’s reign.

Recalling a personal meeting, Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer said, "One day, His Highness summoned me, and I met him at his home." During this meeting, the Father Emir expressed his intention to establish a television news channel named Al Jazeera. The channel was designed to have a wide margin of freedom, setting it apart from traditional Arab media outlets. It was to operate according to the principles of free journalism, similar to professional international media institutions.

From its early days, Al Jazeera showed signs of success, gaining recognition from journalists and the public as a new and distinct voice in the Arab world. Despite visiting the channel regularly, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa never interfered with its coverage or programming, provided that professional standards were maintained.

This tribute underscores the lasting impact of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani's vision on Qatar’s media landscape and the broader Arab world.

Sources