June 25, 2013
Qatars Emir Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani (left) and his son Shaikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.
Qatar Emir hands over power to son
It is time for the new generation to take over, the Emir says in a televised address
Qatar's ruler says he has transferred power to the 33-year-old crown prince in the biggest leadership shake up in 18 years.
The 61-year-old emir, Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, said in a televised address on Tuesday that the decision has been made to step down.
In a seven-minute speech aired on state television, Shaikh Hamad said it was now time for the new generation to take over following his 18 years at the helm of the small, rich Gulf Arab state.
"The time has come to open a new page in the jouney of our nation that would have a new generation carry the responsibilities ... with their innovative ideas," said Shaikh Hamad, reading a prepared text behind his desk.
"I address you today to inform you that I will transfer power to Shaikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. I am fully confident that he is qualified for the responsibility and is trustworthy."
State television later showed pictures of well wishers greeting the outgoing emir and Shaikh Tamim at the royal court.
The emir did not specify when the change would take effect but a Qatari official had said the move, once announced, would take immediate effect.
The British-educated crown prince, Shaikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, will likely begin the process of putting together a new government that may be in direct contrast to the old guard leaders across the Western-backed Gulf Arab states.
The decision has been rumoured for months. Qatar has given no official explanation, but it is widely believed that Shaikh Hamad is suffering from health problems.
Tuesday was declared an official holiday in the country.
Shaikh Tamim, 33, has steadily acquired a prominent role in Qatar since his appointment as crown prince in 2003. He serves as chairman of the Qatar Investment Authority, the countrys primary sovereign wealth fund.
Shaikh Hamad has been in power since 1995, during which Qatar has evolved into an important player on the regional and international political scenes.
Abdullah Al Athbah, the managing editor of Al Arab newspaper, told Al Jazeera he did not expect to see a change in policy after the succession. The heir apparent (crown prince) has been very close to his father and Shaikh Jasem, he said, referring to the prime minister. I dont think there will be a big change in policy, foreign or domestic.
Shaikh Tamim is the fourth son of Shaikh Hamad, 61, and the second child of the Emir with his second wife, Shaikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned.
Shaikh Tamim is member of the International Olympic Committee. In 2006, he headed the Organizing Committee of the ASIAD 2006 Games. An avid sports figure, he practiced football, tennis and swimming.
In line with the typical grooming of future leaders in the Gulf countries, Shaikh Tamim has been encouraged to assume an active role in Qatars domestic and foreign policies as well as in the countrys military
The Qatar blogosphere activity leapt into life, brining in comments from all over the world. We are confident that Shaikh Tamim would be up to the responsibility, Ahmad Al Attiya, a Qatari national, said.
A hashtag, thankyouhamad, created for the occasion has been particularly popular among social media users. I have watched Qatar become an economic, sports, education and political leader. #ThankyouHamad for everything. You will always be in our hearts, Samaia Samara posted.
Qatar Emir hands over power to son | GulfNews.com
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June 25, 2013
Qatar Emirs speech on power transfer in full
Here is the translated text of outgoing Qatari Emir ShAikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thanis speech in which he handed over power to his son
In the name of God, the most merciful.
My dear people, the sons of this nation, I speak to you today as we prepare to enter a new era in the history of our nation. I wanted to address you first because you are the owners of this land of the pure as well as its protectors, the builders of its renaissance and the makers of its future.
This was the faith that filled my heart and lived in my soul as I grew up in the land of Qatar and started to hold responsibilities to serve this homeland and its people. God knows that I didnt want power for itself nor did I seek it for personal motivations, but its the interest of the nation that required us to take us through a new era.
The time has come to open a new page in the journey of our nation that would have a new generation carry the responsibilities (armed) with their innovative ideas and active energies.
Our young people have proved in recent years that they are people of strength and resoluteness who comprehend the spirit of their time and fully understand its necessities while keeping up with what is new. Furthermore, they contribute with their ideas through the process of innovation.
And fit for this occasion is what Ali bin Abi Taleb said: Teach your children the best of what you have been taught for they have been created for a time different than yours. You, our sons and daughters, are the treasure of this nation, the builders of its present and bearers of its future.
Since the beginning, we have been positive about you and on you we have laid our hope. You have proved with your high ambitions and through the achievements that you have offered to the nation, that you are qualified for leadership and trustworthy.
I hope I have succeeded in bearing responsibility in a way that first pleases God and in a way that lives up to peoples expectations. In areas where I have excelled, it is only because of Gods guidance and in areas where I have done wrong, it is my own doing, and I hope people who bear responsibility after me learn from that.
I address you today to inform you that I will transfer power to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. I am fully confident that he is qualified for the responsibility and is trustworthy and able to carry the message forward. I am full of faith that you will be the best support for him as you supported me ... I am confident too that Tamim will put the interest of the nation and its people as his priority and that the happiness of the Qatari people will be his main goal at all times.
The future is ahead of you as you move into a new reign where a young leadership holds up the banner. (This leadership) puts the ambition of the coming generation as a priority and works relentlessly to make that happen with the help of God and the sons of this nation and armed with experience which they have gathered in governance, in running the affairs of this country and deep understanding of our area and the Arab world in particular.
Although I am confident that you are qualified for bearing this responsibility, I advise you to be fearful of God, be of knowledge and work hard. Knowledge should be the light the guides your path and assist you in the creating the best future for this nation.
It is knowledge that produces generations that are able to bear responsibility and it is knowledge that helps them take the right path. Hard and faithful work should be your habit in order to serve the nation. Steer away from complacency, lethargy and indolence, for the present and future generations are only built with effort and hard work of their people. (Nations) are only shielded against the ambitions of others and protected from dangers through sweat and sacrifice.
Although I am confident about your loyalty to your Arabic and Islamic heritage, I advise you to preserve our cultural values that stem from our religion as well as our Arab and human heritage. We believe that the Arab world is a single body, its single states are in good condition if they the rest of the state are. I advise you to stick to righteousness despite all changing conditions ... (Religious verses) I speak to you today to thank the people of Qatar who were with me and supported me throughout this path. They were the best supporters in times of hardship and helped overcome challenges. My goal has always been for them to live in prosperity, stability and security.
My heart will always beat with the love of this land and its nation, for it is the first thing I laid my eye upon and it is where my imagination was triggered.
I also thank and appreciate all of those who worked closely with me. They were the best supporters in times of hardship and prosperity. I thank our armed forces and our army for the honourable role that they have carried out during my leadership.
I wont forget as long as I live the loyalty of the Qatari people, praying for God to preserve Qatar and maintain its security and stability and lay His grace upon its people.
Peace be upon you.
Qatar Emir
.. but one cant change the history.. ALL THE BEST TO THE NEW KING 
