Mishaal bin Hamad Al Thani

In this Arabic name, the surname is Al Thani.

Mishaal bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (Arabic: مشعل بن حمد بن خليفة الثاني; born 2 July 1972) is a member of the House of Thani.

Mishaal bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani مشعل بن حمد بن خليفة الثاني
Born	(1972-07-02) 2 July 1972 (age 52) Doha
House	Thani
Father	Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Mother	Mariam bint Muhammad Al Thani

Early life

Sheikh Mishaal is the first son and oldest child of the former Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and his first wife, Sheikha Mariam bint Muhammad Al Thani. He is the oldest brother of the current Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.^[1]

Career

Sheikh Mishaal was named as the crown prince on 30 June 1995, three days after his father became the emir.^[1][2] Then he began to work at the ministry of foreign affairs, heading Qatari missions.^[1] He served as crown prince until 23 October 1996 when he was replaced by his half-brother Jassim bin Hamad.^[1][3]. Hamad once told a Western ambassador that of his two eldest sons, “one [plays] too much; the other prays too much.” ^[4]. Sheikh Mishaal is understood to be the one that played too much.

He was the chairman of the Al Rayyan Sports Club, and member of Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC). He is president of the Arab Equestrian Federation.^[5] He is an enthusiast of pigeon racing as well and has raced many pigeons to victory in various competitions^[6].

Personal life

Sheikh Mishal bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has three sons and four daughters:

Sons:

• Sheikh Abdullah bin Mishal bin Hamad Al Thani - Member of Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC).
• Sheikh Muhammad bin Mishal bin Hamad Al Thani.
• Sheikh Hamad bin Mishal bin Hamad Al Thani.

Daughters:

• Sheikha Rowdha bint Mishal bin Hamad Al Thani.
• Sheikha Mariam bint Mishal bin Hamad Al Thani.
• Sheikha Aisha bint Mishal bin Hamad Al Thani.
• Sheikha Sara bint Mishal bin Hamad Al Thani.

All members of his family are racehorse owners and closely involved in the Equestrian sports.

References

1. "The Line of Succession". APS Review. 19 September 2005. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
2. "Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani". APS Review Oil Market Trends. 22 September 2003. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
3. Christopher M. Blanchard (5 May 2010). "Qatar: Background and U.S. Relations". CRS Report for Congress. Archived from the original on 29 January 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
4. "Qatar without Tamim". The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. 1 June 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
5. "H.E. Sheikh Mishaal Bin Hamad Al Thani". iloveqatar.net. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
6. "Qatari Sheikh winning first prize from Sivry". Pipa. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2025.