President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan shared a condolence message in Turkish on his social media account following the passing of the former Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
"I learned with great sorrow that my very dear friend, the Father Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has passed away. I worked together with him in the international arena during my prime ministry; he greatly contributed to bringing the political, commercial, military, humanitarian, and cultural relations between Türkiye and Qatar to their current level, and I witnessed his sincere efforts for the peace of the Islamic world, the stability of our region, and the welfare of the Qatari people. I pray to Almighty Allah for His mercy upon Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. I offer my condolences, on behalf of myself, my family, and my nation, first and foremost to my dear brother the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as well as to the family of the late Father Emir, to the friendly and brotherly people of Qatar, and to the Islamic world. "
In his message, Erdoğan highlighted his long-standing friendship with the late leader and the role of Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in developing Türkiye-Qatar relations. Erdoğan extended condolences first to the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and to his entire family, the Qatari people, and the Islamic world.