Kuwait Cabinet Hails Late Father Amir as Great Leader Who Devoted His Life to Arab, Islamic Causes

KUWAIT CITY - July 14, 2026: Kuwait's Cabinet has offered its profound condolences and sympathy to Qatar's Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the ruling family, and the people of Qatar on the passing of the Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who died Sunday at the age of 74.

At its meeting on Tuesday, chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Cabinet emphasized that the State of Qatar, the Gulf region, the Arab and Islamic nations, and the world at large had lost a great leader known for his vision, wisdom, and statesmanship. The Cabinet said the late Father Amir had devoted his life to serving his country and its people while espousing the causes of the Arab and Islamic nations and defending their interests.

Remembering Qatar's Support for Kuwait

In its statement, the Cabinet reaffirmed that the State of Kuwait and its people would always remember with appreciation the support shown by the State of Qatar and the late Father Amir for Kuwait and its just causes — a reference widely understood to include Qatar's steadfast backing of Kuwait during the 1990 Iraqi occupation, a chapter Kuwait's leadership has repeatedly cited in its tributes this week.

A Nation-Wide Kuwaiti Tribute

The Cabinet's tribute caps a series of official Kuwaiti gestures following Sheikh Hamad's death. Kuwait's Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, sent a cable of condolences describing the late Father Amir as an exceptional leader and distinguished statesman whose wisdom, foresight, and dedication left a lasting mark on Qatar, the Gulf, and the wider Arab and Islamic worlds. He recalled his close brotherly relationship with Sheikh Hamad, affirming that Kuwait would always remember with pride Qatar's support during the Iraqi occupation, and praised the remarkable development Qatar achieved under his leadership.

Kuwait's Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah — who later traveled to Doha at the head of a high-level delegation to offer condolences in person — said in his own cable that the Arab and Islamic nations had lost a great leader who devoted his life to serving his people and supporting Arab and Islamic causes. Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah likewise sent a cable of condolences to Sheikh Tamim.

By directive of the Amir, Kuwait declared four days of official mourning beginning Sunday, July 12, with flags flown at half-mast across the country and at Kuwaiti diplomatic missions abroad. The Embassy of Qatar in Kuwait has meanwhile received a stream of mourners, with ambassadors from Bahrain, Türkiye, Jordan, and Egypt, along with the UN Resident Coordinator and the US Chargé d'Affaires, among those paying tribute to the late Father Amir's legacy.

GCC Recognition

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Jassim Al-Budaiwi separately expressed his deepest condolences, saying the late Father Amir was among the leaders who contributed sincerely and wisely to Qatar's renaissance and comprehensive development, and played a prominent role in supporting joint Gulf action and strengthening the bonds of brotherhood, solidarity, and integration among GCC states, stemming from his firm belief in the importance of Gulf unity.

A Legacy Across the Region

Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 until his voluntary abdication in 2013, transforming the country into one of the world's leading liquefied natural gas exporters and an influential diplomatic power, while founding Al Jazeera in 1996 and securing Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Qatar has declared four days of national mourning, with Sheikh Tamim receiving condolences from visiting heads of state, dignitaries, and citizens at Lusail Palace through the mourning period.