Sheikh Hamad had a vision of Qatar as it is today. In an era when many people were doubtful about what a small country could achieve, he believed in himself, in Qatar, and, most importantly, in the Qatari people. It was his trust in the country and the citizens that many of the accomplishments of Qatar were based on.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani deposed his father in a bloodless coup, and passed leadership on to his fourth son

Sheikh Hamad, who ruled the country from 1995 to 2013 and revolutionised modern-day Qatar, died on Thursday aged 74.