HH the Amir Receives Turkish President Erdoğan in Doha

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Doha on Tuesday, as the Turkish leader arrived to personally offer his condolences following the death of Qatar's Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who died Sunday at the age of 74 after a prolonged illness.

Erdoğan met with Sheikh Tamim upon arrival, joining a procession of regional and international leaders traveling to the Qatari capital during the country's period of national mourning. The Turkish president is expected to return to Türkiye following the visit to attend ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary of Democracy and National Unity Day on July 15, with Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz serving as acting president during his absence.

"A Very Valuable Friend"

In a condolence message shared Sunday, Erdoğan had described Sheikh Hamad as "a very valuable friend" and credited him with making significant contributions to the development of Türkiye-Qatar relations. Praying that God grant the Father Amir boundless mercy, Erdoğan noted that he had the honour of working closely with Sheikh Hamad on many international issues during his own tenure as prime minister.

The Turkish president said Sheikh Hamad had played a prominent role in boosting Turkish-Qatari political, commercial, military, humanitarian, and cultural relations to their current levels, adding that the late Father Amir's sincere efforts for peace in the Islamic world, stability in the region, and the prosperity of the Qatari people would always be remembered. He extended his condolences to Sheikh Tamim, the Al Thani family, the Qatari people, and the entire Islamic world, on behalf of himself, his family, and the Turkish people.

A Deep Strategic Partnership

The visit underscores the close alliance between Türkiye and Qatar, which has deepened significantly over the past decade across defence, trade, and diplomacy. Sheikh Hamad's reign helped lay the groundwork for that partnership, which today includes a Turkish military base in Qatar, extensive mutual investment, and close coordination on regional issues. The two leaders have also worked in parallel on de-escalation efforts amid the ongoing regional crisis, with Sheikh Tamim previously expressing appreciation for Türkiye's efforts to halt military escalation in the region.

Part of a Global Outpouring

Erdoğan's visit came amid an extensive wave of condolence visits to Lusail Palace, where Sheikh Tamim has been receiving mourners over three days beginning Monday. Among those who traveled to Doha to pay their respects in person were Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, among many others.

Written condolences also poured in from world leaders including King Charles III of the United Kingdom, French President Emmanuel Macron, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Jordan's King Abdullah II. Qatar's Amiri Diwan has declared four days of national mourning, with flags at half-mast nationwide and government work suspended until July 19. Sheikh Hamad was laid to rest at Lusail Cemetery following funeral prayers held in Doha on Sunday.