Tributes are pouring in from online users at the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, who first began to oversee the rapid expansion of Qatar as a modern state. More than a 1,000 people have already commented on Qatar Living stories on Facebook.

The 84-year-old former ruler, who passed away Sunday evening, was held in high regard in the country. HH The Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has announced a three-day period of national mourning in the country.

Qatar Living user Hamidullah Hamidi recalled the former Emir with great fondness.

“Very sad to hear about the demise of our most beloved ruler of Qatar. He was very kind, generous, helpful and always respectful of expatriates. May Allah bless him JANNAT,” he noted on Facebook.

Usman Naeem, tagging Sadia Naeem on Facebook, spoke about his memories of the great man.

“You remember how abbu once used to tell us how good a man he was? May his soul rest in peace,” he said.

“He did so much to modernise Qatar. My condolences to his people and family,” noted Peter Bailey on Facebook.

Charu Sharma Raina remembered about his school days.

“That's so sad! He was the king when we were still in school. May his soul Rest In Peace,” he noted.

On Twitter too, the reactions have been quite sad. Here are some of them.

Very saddened to hear passing of Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, former Emir of #Qatar. Rest in Peace. #الشيخ_خليفه_بن_حمد_في_ذمه_الله

— Gazanfarulla Khan (@acepilotkhan) October 23, 2016

Saddened to hear that former Emir Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani has passed away.Deepest condolences to his family and people of #Qatar.

— Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu (@MevlutCavusoglu) October 23, 2016

We are sorry for the great loss of HH the Grandfather Emir Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al-Thani. Our thoughts and prayers are with you #Qatar.

— Abdullah Bin-Jassim (@ABinJassim) October 23, 2016

Lekhwiya Mourns Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani https://t.co/e67XYTwtSU pic.twitter.com/oqsNopDxy2

— نادي لخويا الرياضي (@Lekhwiyaclub) October 23, 2016

Deepest condolences to royal family & people of #Qatar, passing of HH Grandfather Emir Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Thani @dohanews @qatarday pic.twitter.com/TeUYVtZAfd

— Intiqab Rawoof (@IntiqabRawoof) October 23, 2016

Our condolences to @AmbAlyaAlThani & colleagues at @QatarAtUN for the passing of HH the Grandfather Emir Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Thani pic.twitter.com/PO8mDUBp3L

— Kuwait Mission to UN (@KuwaitMissionUN) October 23, 2016

Sincere condolences to the people of the State of Qatar on the passing of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani. May he rest in peace pic.twitter.com/aAAcGaBEWS

— taf3eel (@taf3eel) October 23, 2016

Our heartfelt condolences to Qatari Royal Family on the loss of HH the Grandfather Emir Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani

— Francisco Niembro (@fjniembro) October 23, 2016

On behalf of the #Sudanese people, we send our heartfelt condolences to Sheikh Tamim Al Thani and the #Qatari people https://t.co/83mKQb40LI

— Omar alBashir (@Omer_al_Basher) October 23, 2016

Condolences to @QatarAtUN and the people of #Qatar for Former Qatari Emir Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani passing away, a true reformer

— Thai Mission to UN (@ThailandUN) October 23, 2016

So sorry to hear:( RIP Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, thinking of you all @althanifahad @Nasser_Althani @Moealthani #Qatar #Althani #UAE https://t.co/srxdmdzkqc

— Nicole Elkabbas (@Eat_likealady) October 23, 2016

We are sorry for the great loss of HH the Grandfather Emir Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al-Thani. Our thoughts and prayers are with you #Qatar.

— Abdullah Bin-Jassim (@ABinJassim) October 23, 2016

HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani has passed away. A very sad day for the State of Qatar.#الشيخ_خليفه_بن_حمد_في_ذمه_الله

— Matt Wahnsiedler (@MattWahnsiedler) October 23, 2016

We wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the people of Qatar on the sad demise of Former Emir Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani. pic.twitter.com/U1AD0NvAcL

— DOHA LAND (@DOHALAND) October 23, 2016

Team AYCM Q extends condolences and Prayers on the sad demise of H H Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani #الشيخ_خليفه_بن_حمد_في_ذمه_الله pic.twitter.com/Zas2wZAaLC

— AYCM Qatar (@AYCMQA) October 23, 2016

Picture courtesy: @SobiaThampy / Twitter