President Prabowo Subianto signed a book of condolences at the Embassy of Qatar in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 15, following the death of the former Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The visit underscored Indonesia’s sympathy to Qatar. It highlighted five decades of diplomatic relations and broadening bilateral cooperation in investment, defense, and development programs.

JAKARTA, Thekabarnews.com—Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto signed a book of condolences at the Qatari Embassy in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 15, to pay his respects to Qatar’s former ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Prabowo was greeted on arrival by Foreign Minister Sugiono and Qatar’s Ambassador to Indonesia Sultan bin Mubarak Saad Al-Dosari. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday that the Qatari government officially appointed Al-Dosari as ambassador to Indonesia in June 2026.

Prabowo was then led into a special room to write and sign a condolence message. He extended Indonesia’s sympathies to the family of Sheikh Hamad and the government and people of Qatar.

The Indonesian government earlier conveyed its condolences to Qatar through the Foreign Ministry. ANTARA reported that Prabowo also sought the assistance of Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security Gen. (hon) Djamari Chaniago. He asked Chaniago to travel to Doha to convey Indonesia’s condolences directly to the current Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Sheikh Hamad died Sunday morning, July 12, at the age of 74, Qatar’s Amiri Diwan said. Qatar then announced four days of national mourning. The government did not disclose the cause of death, the Qatar News Agency reported.

Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 until he handed over power to his son, Sheikh Tamim, in June 2013.

In his 18 years in power, Qatar built up its liquefied natural gas industry and became a regional power in diplomacy, finance, and media. In 1996 the country also launched the Al Jazeera television network. As a result, this expanded Qatar’s international profile.

Formal diplomatic relations were established between Indonesia and Qatar on November 10, 1976. Qatar opened an embassy in Jakarta in 1996, and Indonesia opened an embassy in Doha in 1999.

The two countries will mark 50 years of diplomatic ties in 2026. Their cooperation now includes investment, energy, defense, education, health, and political consultation.

In June Qatar renewed a $4 billion investment pledge to Indonesia. The two governments are also preparing for a planned visit by the Emir, Sheikh Tamim, to Indonesia later this year, the Indonesian State Secretariat said.

Prabowo’s embassy visit was more than a ceremonial expression of condolences. It was a sign of Indonesia’s respect for a former regional leader. It also served as a reaffirmation of its long-standing ties with Qatar during a period of mourning.