Qatar has suspended work across ministries, government agencies and public institutions following the death of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
The Amiri Diwan announced four days of national mourning beginning Sunday, July 12, 2026. Public-sector work was suspended from Monday, July 13, with employees scheduled to return on Sunday, July 19. Flags will remain at half-mast during the mourning period.
Although the mourning period was announced for four days, government employees will remain away from offices through the regular Friday–Saturday weekend before returning on Sunday. This effectively changes public-sector operations for the working week.
The official announcement specifically covers ministries, government agencies, public bodies and institutions. It does not state that private-sector businesses must close, so private employers should avoid treating the government suspension as an automatic statutory holiday unless further guidance is issued.
For HR and business leaders, the immediate priorities include communicating attendance expectations, reviewing meetings and government-dependent processes, and ensuring continuity where operations rely on public-sector approvals or services.
Several essential public-health services will continue to operate on revised schedules during the mourning period, indicating that some critical functions will remain available despite the broader suspension.
Sheikh Hamad, who ruled Qatar between 1995 and 2013, died on July 12 at the age of 74. He was succeeded in 2013 by his son, the current Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.