Well, it is official.  The super awesome His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani of Qatar has retired, err, stepped down as the Emir of Qatar.  So, who’s replacing  him?  His son… His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.

According to His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, via a press conference,  the reason for his abdication was pretty simple.  According to the Emir “…it was time for a new generation to takeover… This is the beginning of a new era in which a young leadership will hold the banner…”  

According to the Qatar News Agency, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will “…receive citizens from 8 AM to 11:30 AM on Wednesday, June 26 to swear allegiance to the new Emir…”

So, congrats Your Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani!  Good luck, dude.  And, don’t screw up.   🙂

Click the video to watch the announcement on You Tube.