Former VP Jusuf Kalla honors pays tributes to former Qatari emir

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's 10th and 12th Vice President Jusuf Kalla extended condolences to Qatar on the passing of former emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, highlighting his national and international leadership.

He paid respects to the former emir who led Qatar from 1995 to 2013 during a visit to Qatar's diplomatic mission in Jakarta on Tuesday (July 14), according to a statement cited on Wednesday.

"I would like to extend my deep condolences on the passing of His Majesty Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. May God Almighty grant him the best place alongside Him," Kalla stated.

As a mark of respect, he joined a funeral prayer in absentia for the late emir at Istiqlal Mosque. The ritual coincided with the midday prayer time and was led by Imam Husni Ismail of Southeast Asia’s largest mosque.

Also performing the prayer were Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar, Qatari Ambassador Sultan bin Mubarak Saad Al Dosari, and several other envoys.

The Indonesian government had earlier conveyed official condolences through the Foreign Ministry.

“The government of the Republic of Indonesia extends its deepest condolences on the passing of His Highness, the Father Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani,” the ministry stated on social media X on Sunday (July 12).

It added that Indonesia “conveys its heartfelt sympathies” to Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Al Thani royal family, and the government and people of Qatar “during this time of profound sorrow.”

The former emir died at 74 on Sunday. He is widely regarded as the architect of modern Qatar for transforming the country through liquefied natural gas development and the establishment of Al Jazeera, among other feats.

He voluntarily abdicated in 2013, handing leadership to his son Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

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Translator: Devi Nindy, Tegar Nurfitra

Editor: Azis Kurmala

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