Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani
Encyclopedia
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Sheikh
Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber bin Muhammad Al Thani (born 30 August 1959) is a Qatari politician and the current Prime Minister of Qatar
, a position he has held since 3 April 2007, and Foreign Minister
, which he has been since 11 January 1992.
, is Hamad's 2nd cousins once removed
.
On 1 September 1992, Hamad was appointed as Foreign Minister of Qatar by the 8th Emir. He was retained in his post when the current emir, H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (Khalifa's son) came to power in a coup in 1995. Hamad played an important role in the overthrow of the 8th Emir and is close to his 2nd cousins twice removed
, the current 9th Emir. On 16 September 2003, Hamad was appointed First Deputy Prime Minister while retaining his position of Minister of Foreign Affairs. On 2 April 2007, he was appointed as Prime Minister of Qatar, following the resignation of H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani; he continued to serve as Foreign Minister.
He has been reported to have strong connections with the US government and serves on the International Advisory Council of the Brookings Institution
and chairs the International Advisory Council of the Brookings Doha Center
. He has stakes in many strong businesses such as Qatar Airways
and the Foreign Investment Company, Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, The Pearl and Harrods
. He is a partner in Project Grande (Guernsey), the developer of One Hyde Park
in London
, United Kingdom
.
Additionally, he has held several other key positions including member of the Supreme Defense Council, which was established in 1996; Head of Qatar’s Permanent Committee for the Support of al Quds; which was formed in 1998; member of the Permanent Constitution Committee, formed in 1999; member of the Ruling Family Council, which was established in 2000; and member of the Supreme Council for the Investment of the Reserves of the State, which was established in 2000.
and the Middle East
over the last 20 years.
In 2010, he led the mediation efforts that resulted in the signing of a peace agreement between Djibouti
and Eritrea
to settle their border dispute and thereby paving the way for broader peace talks to end the six-year conflict in the region. According to the negotiated peace declaration, the two parties pledged to give peaceful means a “strategic priority to settle the conflict in Darfur
”, and to take the required measures to create “an opportune environment to achieve a lasting settlement”, including the halting of “inconvenience to the displaced and ensuring the flow of relief aid”. The parties furthermore committed themselves to prisoners swap and the release of those who were detained due to the dispute.
In 2009, he assisted in the settlement agreement between Sudan
and Chad
. The civil war in Chad began in December 2005. On February 8, 2006 the Tripoli
Agreement was signed, which temporarily stopped the fighting. However, hostilities resumed after two months, leading to several new agreement attempts and a final settlement between the two parties in 2009.
In 2009 Sheikh Hamad participated in brokering a peace agreement to end the conflict in Darfur ("The Goodwill and Confidence Building Pact”) between the government of Sudan and Justice and Equality Movement. The pact also opened up to the rest of factions in Darfur.
He participated in mediation of ceasefire in Yemen
between the Government of Yemen and the Houthi Movement in 2007. In 2010, the two parties agreed to activate the agreement after confrontations threatening the ceasefire. The mediation ended a six-year war between the two sides.
In 2007, Sheikh Hamad helped organize the Lebanese
national dialogue and the peace agreement between various Lebanese political groups to end the worst internal fighting in Lebanon since the civil war of 1975-1990. In an attempt to resolve a broader political showdown that had paralyzed the country for 18 months, Sheikh Hamad summoned the Lebanese government and Hezbollah-led opposition to Qatar for talks. He declared an agreement sponsored by the Arab League
to deal with the Lebanese crisis. In the agreement the parties pledged, “to refrain from returning to the use of weapons or violence to realize political gains." The Lebanese government furthermore committed itself to introduce a new electoral law designed to provide better representation in the country's sectarian system of power sharing.
Sheikh Hamad was instrumental in creating the peace settlement between Sudan and Eritrea in 1998. The un-demarcated border with Sudan had posed a problem for Eritrean external relations for most of the nation's existence. He negotiated a peace settlement between Sudan and Eritrea. After the agreement was signed, relations somewhat normalized.
In 1996, he worked to settle a brief war between Eritrea and Yemen over the Hanish Islands
. As part of the agreement to cease hostilities the two nations agreed, through the negotiating effort of Sheikh Hamad, to refer the issue to the Permanent Court of Arbitration
at The Hague
in 1998. Yemen was granted full ownership of the larger islands while Eritrea was awarded the peripheral islands to the southwest of the larger islands. Since then relations between the two governments have remained relatively normal.
Sheikh Hamad facilitated the agreement that led to a unity constitution in Yemen in May 1990, ratified by the populace in May 1991. It affirmed Yemen's commitment to free elections, a multiparty political system, the right to own private property, equality under the law, and respect of basic human rights. Parliamentary elections were held on April 27, 1993.
Sheikh Hamad also has been involved in ongoing efforts between Fatah and Hamas to achieve Palestinian
reconciliation to activate the peace process with Israel
.
Of other humanitarian initiatives, he has facilitated the release of prisoners, including the five Lebanese prisoners in Eritrea. He supported the effort to release Mr. Nawaz Sharif
, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan from jail, and was instrumental in freeing the Bulgaria
n nurses in Libya
from prison. He has opened Qatar to political refugees in the Muslim and Arab worlds. During the Bosnian conflict of the 1990s, he secured large quantities of food, medicine and other items to the Bosnian population.
In November 2010 he launched the Humanitarian Appeal 2011 in Doha
, together with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR). The initiative is set to help improve the living conditions for millions of people affected by humanitarian crises around the world.
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Sheikh
Sheikh
Not to be confused with sikhSheikh — also spelled Sheik or Shaikh, or transliterated as Shaykh — is an honorific in the Arabic language that literally means "elder" and carries the meaning "leader and/or governor"...
Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber bin Muhammad Al Thani (born 30 August 1959) is a Qatari politician and the current Prime Minister of Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
, a position he has held since 3 April 2007, and Foreign Minister
Foreign relations of Qatar
Qatar achieved full independence on 3 September 1971 in an atmosphere of cooperation with the United Kingdom, the United States of America and friendship with neighbouring states. Most Arab states were also among the first countries to recognise Qatar, and the state promptly gained admittance to...
, which he has been since 11 January 1992.
Life and education
Sheikh Hamad was born in Doha, Qatar in 1959. He is the 5th son of Sheikh Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani. Through his father, he is the grandson of Sheikh Jabr bin Muhammed Al Thani. Sheikh Jabr was a younger brother of H.H. Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, founding father of the modern Qatar and 1st Emir of the state. Although 52-years younger than his brother, Sheikh Jabr was of great importance in helping the first Emir to establish a stable country. The 8th and former Emir of Qatar, H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al ThaniKhalifa bin Hamad Al Thani
Emir Shaikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Abdullah bin Jassim bin Muhammed Al Thani GCB GCMG was the Emir of Qatar from 1972 until he was deposed by his son Hamad bin Khalifa in 1995....
, is Hamad's 2nd cousins once removed
Cousin
In kinship terminology, a cousin is a relative with whom one shares one or more common ancestors. The term is rarely used when referring to a relative in one's immediate family where there is a more specific term . The term "blood relative" can be used synonymously and establishes the existence of...
.
Career
Between 1982 and 1989, Sheikh Hamad was the Director of the Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture. In July 1989 he was appointed Minister of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture and in May 1990, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Electricity and Water for two years, along with his post as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture, where he supervised several successful projects and developed the agriculture sector.On 1 September 1992, Hamad was appointed as Foreign Minister of Qatar by the 8th Emir. He was retained in his post when the current emir, H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (Khalifa's son) came to power in a coup in 1995. Hamad played an important role in the overthrow of the 8th Emir and is close to his 2nd cousins twice removed
Cousin
In kinship terminology, a cousin is a relative with whom one shares one or more common ancestors. The term is rarely used when referring to a relative in one's immediate family where there is a more specific term . The term "blood relative" can be used synonymously and establishes the existence of...
, the current 9th Emir. On 16 September 2003, Hamad was appointed First Deputy Prime Minister while retaining his position of Minister of Foreign Affairs. On 2 April 2007, he was appointed as Prime Minister of Qatar, following the resignation of H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani; he continued to serve as Foreign Minister.
He has been reported to have strong connections with the US government and serves on the International Advisory Council of the Brookings Institution
Brookings Institution
The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, D.C., in the United States. One of Washington's oldest think tanks, Brookings conducts research and education in the social sciences, primarily in economics, metropolitan policy, governance, foreign policy, and...
and chairs the International Advisory Council of the Brookings Doha Center
Brookings Doha Center
Brookings Doha Center is a project of the Saban Center for Middle East Policy within the Brookings Institution, started in 2007. In its own words, it conducts "research on the socio-economic and geopolitical issues facing Muslim-majority states and communities, and encourages increased dialogue...
. He has stakes in many strong businesses such as Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways Company Q.C.S.C. , operating as Qatar Airways, is the flag carrier of Qatar. Headquartered in the Qatar Airways Tower in Doha, it operates a hub-and-spoke network, linking over 100 international destinations from its base in Doha, using a fleet of over 100 aircraft...
and the Foreign Investment Company, Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, The Pearl and Harrods
Harrods
Harrods is an upmarket department store located in Brompton Road in Brompton, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London. The Harrods brand also applies to other enterprises undertaken by the Harrods group of companies including Harrods Bank, Harrods Estates, Harrods Aviation and Air...
. He is a partner in Project Grande (Guernsey), the developer of One Hyde Park
One Hyde Park
One Hyde Park is a major residential and retail complex located in London, United Kingdom. The development includes three retail units totalling and 86 residential properties marketed with prices starting at around £20 million...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Additionally, he has held several other key positions including member of the Supreme Defense Council, which was established in 1996; Head of Qatar’s Permanent Committee for the Support of al Quds; which was formed in 1998; member of the Permanent Constitution Committee, formed in 1999; member of the Ruling Family Council, which was established in 2000; and member of the Supreme Council for the Investment of the Reserves of the State, which was established in 2000.
Peacemaker
Sheikh Hamad has worked actively to settle political conflicts in both AfricaAfrica
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
over the last 20 years.
In 2010, he led the mediation efforts that resulted in the signing of a peace agreement between Djibouti
Djibouti
Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...
and Eritrea
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
to settle their border dispute and thereby paving the way for broader peace talks to end the six-year conflict in the region. According to the negotiated peace declaration, the two parties pledged to give peaceful means a “strategic priority to settle the conflict in Darfur
Darfur
Darfur is a region in western Sudan. An independent sultanate for several hundred years, it was incorporated into Sudan by Anglo-Egyptian forces in 1916. The region is divided into three federal states: West Darfur, South Darfur, and North Darfur...
”, and to take the required measures to create “an opportune environment to achieve a lasting settlement”, including the halting of “inconvenience to the displaced and ensuring the flow of relief aid”. The parties furthermore committed themselves to prisoners swap and the release of those who were detained due to the dispute.
In 2009, he assisted in the settlement agreement between Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
and Chad
Chad
Chad , officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west...
. The civil war in Chad began in December 2005. On February 8, 2006 the Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
Agreement was signed, which temporarily stopped the fighting. However, hostilities resumed after two months, leading to several new agreement attempts and a final settlement between the two parties in 2009.
In 2009 Sheikh Hamad participated in brokering a peace agreement to end the conflict in Darfur ("The Goodwill and Confidence Building Pact”) between the government of Sudan and Justice and Equality Movement. The pact also opened up to the rest of factions in Darfur.
He participated in mediation of ceasefire in Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
between the Government of Yemen and the Houthi Movement in 2007. In 2010, the two parties agreed to activate the agreement after confrontations threatening the ceasefire. The mediation ended a six-year war between the two sides.
In 2007, Sheikh Hamad helped organize the Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
national dialogue and the peace agreement between various Lebanese political groups to end the worst internal fighting in Lebanon since the civil war of 1975-1990. In an attempt to resolve a broader political showdown that had paralyzed the country for 18 months, Sheikh Hamad summoned the Lebanese government and Hezbollah-led opposition to Qatar for talks. He declared an agreement sponsored by the Arab League
Arab League
The Arab League , officially called the League of Arab States , is a regional organisation of Arab states in North and Northeast Africa, and Southwest Asia . It was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan , Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Yemen joined as a...
to deal with the Lebanese crisis. In the agreement the parties pledged, “to refrain from returning to the use of weapons or violence to realize political gains." The Lebanese government furthermore committed itself to introduce a new electoral law designed to provide better representation in the country's sectarian system of power sharing.
Sheikh Hamad was instrumental in creating the peace settlement between Sudan and Eritrea in 1998. The un-demarcated border with Sudan had posed a problem for Eritrean external relations for most of the nation's existence. He negotiated a peace settlement between Sudan and Eritrea. After the agreement was signed, relations somewhat normalized.
In 1996, he worked to settle a brief war between Eritrea and Yemen over the Hanish Islands
Hanish Islands
The Hanish Islands are an island group in the Red Sea. Most of them are a part of Yemen, but before 1998–1999 they were claimed by Eritrea as well. After a long trial with an international court under the guidance of Dr...
. As part of the agreement to cease hostilities the two nations agreed, through the negotiating effort of Sheikh Hamad, to refer the issue to the Permanent Court of Arbitration
Permanent Court of Arbitration
The Permanent Court of Arbitration , is an international organization based in The Hague in the Netherlands.-History:The court was established in 1899 as one of the acts of the first Hague Peace Conference, which makes it the oldest institution for international dispute resolution.The creation of...
at The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
in 1998. Yemen was granted full ownership of the larger islands while Eritrea was awarded the peripheral islands to the southwest of the larger islands. Since then relations between the two governments have remained relatively normal.
Sheikh Hamad facilitated the agreement that led to a unity constitution in Yemen in May 1990, ratified by the populace in May 1991. It affirmed Yemen's commitment to free elections, a multiparty political system, the right to own private property, equality under the law, and respect of basic human rights. Parliamentary elections were held on April 27, 1993.
Sheikh Hamad also has been involved in ongoing efforts between Fatah and Hamas to achieve Palestinian
Palestina
Palestina is the Latin short-form of the name "Kingland of Kings".Palestina, Palestine, and Philistia, are alternate Bible names for the land of the Philistines in , , , , , ....
reconciliation to activate the peace process with Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
.
Of other humanitarian initiatives, he has facilitated the release of prisoners, including the five Lebanese prisoners in Eritrea. He supported the effort to release Mr. Nawaz Sharif
Nawaz Sharif
Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif is a Pakistani conservative politician and steel magnate who served as 12th Prime Minister of Pakistan in two non-consecutive terms from November 1990 to July 1993, and from February 1997 to October 12, 1999...
, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan from jail, and was instrumental in freeing the Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
n nurses in Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
from prison. He has opened Qatar to political refugees in the Muslim and Arab worlds. During the Bosnian conflict of the 1990s, he secured large quantities of food, medicine and other items to the Bosnian population.
In November 2010 he launched the Humanitarian Appeal 2011 in Doha
Doha
Doha is the capital city of the state of Qatar. Located on the Persian Gulf, it had a population of 998,651 in 2008, and is also one of the municipalities of Qatar...
, together with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees , also known as The UN Refugee Agency is a United Nations agency mandated to protect and support refugees at the request of a government or the UN itself and assists in their voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement to...
(UNHCR). The initiative is set to help improve the living conditions for millions of people affected by humanitarian crises around the world.
Titles, styles and honours
Titles and styles
- SheikhSheikhNot to be confused with sikhSheikh — also spelled Sheik or Shaikh, or transliterated as Shaykh — is an honorific in the Arabic language that literally means "elder" and carries the meaning "leader and/or governor"...
Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani (1959–1989) - His ExcellencyExcellencyExcellency is an honorific style given to certain members of an organization or state.Usually, people styled "Excellency" are heads of state, heads of government, governors, ambassadors, certain ecclesiastics, royalty, aristocracy, and military, and others holding equivalent rank .It is...
Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani (1989–present)
Honours
- Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from the Lebanese American UniversityLebanese American UniversityThe Lebanese American University is a secular, private and independent American university located in Lebanon...
(28 April 2010, Lebanon)
Family
He married two wives, first with Sheikha Jawaher and secondly Noor Al Subai'ee. He has six sons and seven daughters:- Sheikh Jabor bin Hamad Al-Thani. He has issue, two sons:
- Sheikh Hamad bin Jabor Al-Thani
- Sheikh Jasim bin Jabor Al-Thani
- Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani. Chair of Qatar Islamic Bank (QISB) and Director of Qatar Insurance Company (QIC). He married Shaikha Dana bint Hamad Al-Thani and together they have one son:
- Sheikh Fahd bin Jassim Al-Thani
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani.
- Sheikh Fahad bin Hamad Al-Thani.
- Sheikh Tameen bin Hamad Al-Thani.
- Sheikh Falah bin Hamad Al-Thani.
- Sheikha Noor bint Hamad Al-Thani
- Sheikha Shareefa bint Hamad Al-Thani
- Sheikha Lamya bint Hamad Al-Thani
- Sheikha Mayasah bint Hamad Al-Thani
- Sheikha Mariamm bint Hamad Al-Thani
- Sheikha Alanoud bint Hamad Al-Thani
- Sheikha May bint Hamad Al-Thani
Personal Lifestyle
He is the owner of the 133 meter yacht, al-Mirqab, which is the eighth largest super yacht in the world. The yacht is estimated to have cost Al Thani between $250 million and $300 million.External links
- Biography of Sheikh Hamad, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs - Official website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Page of the Prime Minister - Official website of the Qatari Amiri Diwan, the office of the Emir