Bangladesh declares half-day of state mourning on Thursday for former Qatar emir

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani ruled the country from 1995 to 2013 and oversaw its transition into a regional powerhouse

Bangladesh has declared a half-day state mourning on Thursday to mark the death of former Qatar emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the decision after signing a condolence book at the Qatar Embassy in Dhaka on Monday.

“As part of expressing condolences for the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Bangladesh government will observe a half-day of state mourning on Thursday, Jul 16, 2026”, a media statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted him as saying.

“In addition, a delegation led by the speaker of the National Assembly will visit Doha to express Bangladesh’s solidarity and condolences to his highness the emir, the royal family and our brothers in Qatar.”

Mirza Fakhrul signed the condolence book opened at the embassy in Gulshan as the senior-most minister in the government.

The Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Humaiun Kobir was present at the time.

In his condolence message, the minister expressed deep shock and sorrow over the death of the former emir.

He wrote of the “deep” condolences and heartfelt sympathy from the government of Bangladesh, the people of Bangladesh and on his own behalf to the government, royal family and the people of Qatar.

The minister said Bangladesh values the longstanding close and sincere relations with Qatar, regarding them as of “great importance”.