Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

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Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
)49759678641( ‫( تميم بن حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني‬cropped).jpg
Sheikh Tamim in 2020
Emir of Qatar
Reign 25 June 2013 – present
Predecessor Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Deputy Emir Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani
Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser
Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdul Aziz
Born 3 June 1980 (age 41)
Doha, Qatar
Spouse See link
Issue See link
Names
Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa bin Hamad bin Abdullah bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani
Regnal name
Tamim al-majd (Tamim the Glorious)
House Thani
Father Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Mother Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned
Website Twitter Profile Instagram Profile
Styles of
Emir of Qatar
Emblem of Qatar.svg
Reference style His Highness
Spoken style Your Highness
Alternative style Sheikh
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (Arabic: ‫ ;تميم بن حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني‬born 3 June 1980)
is the Emir of Qatar. He is the fourth son of the previous Emir, Hamad bin Khalifa.
He has been the ruler of Qatar since 2013 when his father abdicated the throne.
Tamim had been the heir apparent since 2003 when his older brother Sheikh Jassim
renounced his claim to the throne.

He is the monarch of Qatar, which is an absolute monarchy.[1][2] Tamim rules an

authoritarian regime in Qatar,[3][verification needed][4] as he holds all executive
and legislative authority, political parties are forbidden, and there have been no
elections on national level in spite of their mandate in the revised constitution
of 2003.[1] The citizens of Qatar have limited political and civil rights.[1] In
August 2021, Tamim issued a decree to hold legislative elections on 2 October 2021.
[5] He has been involved in efforts to raise Qatar's international profile through
hosting sports events, as well as buying Paris Saint-Germain F.C.

Contents
1 Early life and education
2 Career
2.1 Reign
2.2 Domestic policy
2.3 Foreign policy
2.3.1 India
2.3.2 Egypt
2.3.3 Syria
2.3.4 Turkey
2.3.5 United Kingdom
2.3.6 United States
3 Personal characteristics and views
4 Personal life
5 Controversies
5.1 Alleged support for Islamists
5.2 Labour issues
6 Public image
7 Hacking
8 Honours
8.1 Awards
9 Ancestry
10 References
Early life and education
Tamim bin Hamad was born on 3 June 1980 in Doha, Qatar.[6] He is the fourth son of
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and second son of Sheikha Moza bint Nasser,
Hamad's second wife.[7][8] Tamim was educated at Great Britain's Sherborne School
(International College) in Dorset,[6] and at Harrow School, where he sat his A-
Levels in 1997.[6][7] He then attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst,
graduating in 1998.[7]

Career
Sheikh Tamim was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Qatar Armed Forces upon
graduation from Sandhurst.[7] He became the heir apparent to the Qatar throne on 5
August 2003, when his elder brother Sheikh Jassim renounced his claim to the title.
[6][7] Since then he was groomed to take over rule, working in top security and
economics posts.[8] On 5 August 2003, he was appointed deputy commander-in-chief of
Qatar's armed forces.[7]

Sheikh Tamim promoted sport as part of Qatar's bid to raise its international
profile.[8] In 2005 he founded Oryx Qatar Sports Investments, which owns Paris
Saint-Germain F.C. among other investments. In 2006, he chaired the organizing
committee of the 15th Asian Games in Doha. Under his leadership, all member
countries attended the event for the first time in its history. That year Egypt's
Al Ahram voted Tamim "the best sport personality in the Arab world".[7] Under his
guidance, Qatar won the rights to host the 2014 FINA Swimming World Championships
and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Tamim is chairman of the National Olympic Committee.
[7][8][9] At the 113th session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in
February 2002, he was elected as a member of the IOC.[10] He headed Doha's bid for
the 2020 Olympics.[7] The country will host the football World Cup in 2022. Qatar
is expected to spend about $200 billion on infrastructure to prepare for the event.
[11]

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Evaluation Committee completed its tour to Doha
in November 2020, and confirmed that the city will have much to offer for the Asian
Games, and that they were satisfied with the prioritizing and support from Tamim.
[12][13] At the 39th General Assembly of the OCA, President Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed
Al-Sabah announced that Doha would host the 2030 Asian Games.[14]

Sheikh Tamim heads the Qatar Investment Authority board of directors. Under his
leadership, the fund has invested billions in British businesses. It owns large
stakes in Barclays Bank, Sainsbury's, and Harrods.[15] The fund also owns a share
of Europe's fourth tallest building, the Shard.[8][16]

Tamim has also held a number of other posts, including:

Head of the Upper Council of the Environment and Natural Sanctuaries.[17]

Chairman of the Supreme Council for the Environment and Natural Reserves.[7]
Chairman of the Supreme Education Council.[7]
Chairman of the Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology.[6]
Chairman of the board of directors of Public Works Authority (Ashghal) and the
Urban Planning and Development Authority (UPDA).[6]
Chairman of the board of regents of Qatar University.[6]
Deputy chairman of the Ruling Family Council.[6]
Vice president of the Supreme Council for Economic Affairs and Investment.[6]
Deputy chairman of the High Committee for Coordination and Follow Up.[6]
Member of "Sports for All".[18]
Reign

Sheikh Tamim with U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, 10 December 2013
On 25 June 2013, Tamim's father, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, revealed his
own plan to step down as Emir of Qatar in a meeting with his close relatives and
aides.[19][20] Tamim then became the Emir of Qatar after his father handed over
power in a televised speech.[21] He was the first ruler, in a succession of three
Qatari rulers from the Al Thani family, to ascend to power without resorting to a
coup.[22] According to The Economist, of his previous sibling rivals to the throne,
"One played too much, the other prayed too much."[23] The transition of power went
smoothly, as family members hold many of the nation's top posts.[7]

According to a diplomatic source close to the Al Thani family, Sheikh Tamim has "a
strong personality" that allowed him to "establish himself within the ruling
family".[15] He became crown prince on 5 August 2003, after his brother Sheikh
Jassim had stepped down.[24] Diplomats quoted by the BBC argued that Jassim, who
served as crown prince for eight years, had hoped to expand his political powers.
In 2003, Sheikh Jassim stepped down from the position of crown prince. According to
Qatar News Agency Jassim sent a letter to his father saying, “The time is
appropriate to step down and prepare for a successor”.[25] In the letter, Jassim
stated, “I did not want, as I have told you from the start, to be appointed as
crown prince”, and noted he had only accepted the position in October 1996 because
of "sensitive circumstances".[26] According to a report by Stratfor, Jassim had no
allies among the military forces or secret police at the time of the 2013 political
transition, and thereby few chances to overturn Hamad's decree.[27]

Domestic policy
Further information: Human rights in Qatar
Tamim rules an authoritarian regime in Qatar,[3] as he holds all executive and
legislative authority, political parties are forbidden, and elections are not free
and fair.[1] The citizens of Qatar have limited political and civil rights.[1]
There is no freedom of the press in Qatar.[28] In 2016, Tamim's regime blocked Doha
News after it had done critical reporting.[29]

In striking contrast with his father's rule, who had prioritized Qatar's
international profile, a new focus on domestic affairs has characterized Tamim's
government so far. One of Tamim's first moves after coming to power was to
streamline the bureaucracy by disassembling a number of parallel institutions, such
as the Qatar National Food Security Program, which was incorporated into the
Ministries of Economy and Agriculture. He also decreased the fiscal budget of
several institutions, including Qatar Foundation and Qatar Museums Authority.[30]
[31]

Since his accession to power, the government has expanded the roads around the
capital, developed a new metro system, and completed the construction of a new
airport.[32] A new reform of the Qatari administration was launched towards
increased efficiency and discipline.[32] Moreover, the post of foreign minister has
passed to a non-royal (Khalid al-Attiya). This is a significant change in the
direction of meritocracy, given that during the previous administrations the prime
minister, traditionally a royal, tended to double as foreign minister.[33] Tamim
also took credit for some initiatives directed at countering local sensitivities
arising from the Arab Spring upheaval. He announced that the government would
establish a directive to lower the price of foodstuffs sold by companies working
with the country's National Food Security Programme and anticipated social
allowances and pension increases.[34]

Russia handing over the symbolic relay baton for the hosting rights of the 2022
FIFA World Cup to Qatar in June 2018
According to his inaugural speech to the nation held on 26 June 2013, Sheikh Tamim
will continue to diversify the country's economy away from hydrocarbons.[35]

In 2014, Tamim passed new cybercrime legislation, which was said to be part of an
agreement among Gulf states to criminalize online insults of the region's royal
families;[36] The cybercrime law outlawed the spreading of "false news" as well as
digital material that violates the country's "social values" or "general order".
The legislation made it illegal to incite, aid and facilitate the publication of
offensive material. The law was criticized as being intended by the authoritarian
regime to silence dissent in Qatar. Amnesty International called the law "a major
setback for freedom of expression in Qatar", while other critics suggest that the
new law will violate provisions of the country's constitution that protect civil
liberties.[37]

In June 2013, Sheikh Tamim unveiled his new cabinet. Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah
was named foreign minister.[38] Tamim made Hessa Al Jaber the first ever Minister
of Information and Communications Technology in Qatar in 2013. She was the third
female minister to be named to the cabinet.[39]

In January 2016, Tamim made additional changes to his cabinet. He named a new
foreign minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani,[40] moving the
previous foreign minister, Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah to the position of
Minister of State for Defense Affairs.[41] Tamim also merged several ministries,
including communication and transport, culture, youth and sports. Journalists have
speculated reasons behind the cabinet changes. Some have come to the conclusion
that the reorganization was either an economic move, meant to save the country
money at a time where the falling price of gas has forced the country to scale back
its workforce or for reasons of political stability.[42] Eurasia Group indicated in
a report that the cabinet change aimed to increase efficiency in government
operations and would not negatively impact political or economic stability.[43]
According to others the appointments showed that Tamim was trying to make the
government his own by bringing in a new, younger generation of ministers that were
more loyal to him than to his father.[44]

Foreign policy

Sheikh Tamim with Argentinian former president Mauricio Macri at the Presidential
Residence of Olivos in Buenos Aires, July 2016.
The young Emir's transition to power was welcomed by leaders across the world, who
expected Tamim to continue the good work in the footsteps of his father and
increase Qatar's role in vital international affairs, including the Syrian crisis
and Darfur agreement.[45]

Analysts said he would be tasked with overseeing substantial upgrades to the

national infrastructure, which have recently gotten underway. While some view Tamim
as more religious than his father, most analysts expect him to retain his father's
largely pragmatic habits of governing – using Islam to further objectives where
useful, but not pushing strictly Islamic agenda items such as outlawing alcohol.
[46] Under his leadership, Qatar has condemned hate speech based on religion,
belief and race.[47]

In his inaugural speech to the nation, Tamim vowed that he would continue to pursue
a central role for Qatar in the region but that he will not "take direction" in
foreign affairs.[48] He confirmed that he will commit to the highest possible level
of integration with his Gulf neighbors.[49]

In fact, during his first months in charge he has prioritized the Gulf. In late
October 2013, only a few months after taking charge, Sheikh Tamim took a regional
tour of the Gulf. Even before his accession to power, he formally represented his
father at the annual Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Bahrain in December
2012 as well as in welcoming delegates to the Arab League Summit in Doha in March
2013.[34]

Working in a government security post, he promoted stronger ties with Saudi Arabia,
a neighbour and often contentious rival to Qatar.[46] Tamim considers Qatar's
rivalry with Saudi Arabia unproductive, as has been the case in the so far
unsuccessful attempt to build a cohesive Syrian opposition.[50] Despite this, Tamim
worked within the GCC to support the Syrian opposition.[51]

Sheikh Tamim, António Guterres and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, 16
February 2018

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with Ukrainian former President Petro Poroshenko in
Qatar, 20 March 2018
India
Sheikh Tamim has maintained a strong relationship with the Indian government. On 25
March 2015, he visited India and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that the
government "trusts" the Indian economy so they would invest in India.[52] Last time
Sheikh Tamim met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on 23 September 2019,
at the residence of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United
Nations, on the sidelines of the 74th session of the United Nations General
Assembly in New York.[53] Talks during the meeting dealt with the bilateral
relations and ways of developing them in various aspects of cooperation, especially
in the political and economic areas, to serve the interests of the two friendly
people.

During COVID-19 crisis, on 26 May 2020, Sheikh Tamim spoke on phone with Prime
Minister Narendra Modi. He said he appreciated the contributions made by the Indian
community living in Qatar. In particular, he praised those working in the
healthcare sector for their huge contribution during the present situation. In
turn, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly appreciated the personal care taken by
the Amir for ensuring the welfare of the Indian citizens in Qatar during the COVID-
19 pandemic.[54]

On 27 April 2021, Sheikh Tamim held a telephone conversation with Indian Prime
Minister Modi and discussed ways to fight the novel COVID-19 pandemic.[55] Sheikh
Tamim immediately ordered to send urgent medical assistance to India.[56][57]

Egypt
Qatar heavily invested in loans and aid to Egypt during the Muslim Brotherhood’s
government.[34] In August 2013, Qatar joined a U.S.-led attempt to mediate the
escalating tension between the Muslim Brotherhood and the military.[34] Speaking at
Georgetown University during his first visit to the United States, Tamim reiterated
that Qatar will not interfere in Egypt although he condemned what happened in Egypt
after the 2013 coup.[58] Since Mohamed Morsi’s removal from office, the new
government has turned down Qatari offers for financial aid.[50] Qatar's continued
support for the Muslim Brotherhood resulted in a diplomatic rift between Doha and
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates in 2014, culminating in the
withdrawal of the latter three countries' ambassadors in March of that year.[59]
Qatar has continuously denied allegations of support for the Muslim Brotherhood,
[60] with the Foreign Minister stating in 2017: "In Egypt, when the Muslim
Brotherhood assumed power, some linked this to Qatar's support, even though nearly
70 percent of the assistance program provided by Qatar was during the era of Essam
Sharaf, during the period of the military council".[61] In June 2016, former
president of Egypt Mohamed Morsi was given a life sentence for accusations of
passing state secrets to Qatar.[62][63]

On 20 January 2021, Qatar and Egypt agreed to resume diplomatic relations.[64] In

March 2021, during a visit to Cairo, Qatari foreign minister Mohammed bin
Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani handed over Sheikh Tamim's invitation for Egypt's
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.[65] Sheikh Tamim named the Qatari ambassador to
Egypt in July 2021[66] and met with el-Sisi in Baghdad on 28 August 2021.[67]

Syria
Qatar called for a military intervention by Arab countries to end the bloodshed in
Syria in 2012.[68] Analysts expected that he would have been under immediate
pressure to reduce Qatar's support for the rebels in the Syrian Civil War,[46]
which Tamim had previously supported.[69] In fact, Sheikh Tamim took a step back
after taking charge, primarily in response to the irritation voiced by Western
powers at Qatar's operation to arm Syrian rebel groups which had been directed
haphazardly.[33] However, Qatar has continued to provide support to Syrian
opposition groups, with Tamim declaring in a speech to the UN in September 2020
that Qatar would continue to support efforts to achieve justice and hold
accountable perpetrators of atrocities, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in
Syria.[70] Recently, under the aegis of a joint initiative with Saudi Arabia and
Turkey promoted by Sheikh Tamim, Qatar has provided Syrian rebels with new weapons
and forged a new opposition coalition in Syria known as “Army of Conquest."[71] The
Sheikh has also renewed his country's support for the Syrian people's demands for
justice and freedom during a meeting with the chief of the Syrian National
Coalition Khaled Khoja and his delegation in April 2015.[72]

Syrian rebel group Al-Rahman Legion is supported by Qatar.[73] Since 2017, Qatari-
backed Al-Rahman Legion has been fighting Saudi Arabian-backed Jaysh al-Islam rebel
coalition.[74]

Turkey
Tamim signed a military cooperation agreement with Turkey during an official visit
to the country in December 2014. The agreement aims to promote cooperation in
military training and the defense industry, and allows for the deployment of the
Turkish Armed Forces to Qatar and the Qatari military to Turkey.[75]

On 2 December 2015, Tamim signed a number of agreements with president Recep Tayyip
Erdoğan. Cooperative agreements in education, maritime transport and correspondence
pacts between intelligence agencies were signed.[76] An agreement was also reached
by Turkey to purchase liquefied natural gas from Qatar over a lengthy duration.[77]
The two leaders also announced the planned creation of a Turkish military base in
Qatar; a first for Turkey in the Persian Gulf.[78]

In August 2018, Qatar pledged $15 billion investment in Turkey, during currency
crisis amid a diplomatic standoff with US. The investment package was announced
after Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani met President Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara,
on 15 August 2018.[79]

United Kingdom
In October 2014, Sheikh Tamim met UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Queen
Elizabeth II on his first official visit to the UK. Qatar and the UK anticipated a
Qatari-British Economic Forum to explore mutual investment opportunities.[80] Up to
and during this meeting The Telegraph newspaper launched a campaign to urge Cameron
to discuss Qatar's funding of Islamic extremists with Tamim. Stephen Barclay, the
Tory MP, repeatedly called for transparency in Britain's dealings with Qatar and
said it was "essential" for Mr Cameron to raise the issue of terror finance "I
welcome the fact that the Prime Minister is meeting with the Emir," he said. "As
part of these discussions it is essential that the issue of financing Sunni tribes
in Syria and Iraq is raised.”[81]

In July 2018, Sheikh Tamim and UK Prime Minister Theresa May signed a letter of
intent between the governments of Qatar and the United Kingdom. Both agreed to
exchange information and intelligence on terrorism, to cooperate in the areas of
law enforcement related to terror activities, security of the transport sector,
including airports and aviation, as well as to fight financial crime.[82][83]

Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar houses the Royal Air Force's operational headquarters in
the Middle East. It is host to the RAF's No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group. The group
provides command and control to the four Expeditionary Air Wings which support
Operation Kipion and Operation Shader.[84]

United States

Sheikh Tamim meets with President Donald Trump, 21 May 2017

In July 2014, Tamim renewed the defence agreement with the U.S. and confirmed
Qatar's cooperation with the U.S. in the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) at
Al Udeid Air Base.[85]

Sheikh Tamim visited U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House on a visit to
Washington, D.C. on 24 February 2015, according to a statement issued by the Office
of the White House Press Secretary.[86] Doha-based analysts described the task
before him during the visit as one of balancing the need to maintain strong
relations with the United States against the desire for Qatar to control its own
foreign policy, which is sometimes at odds with the United States on key regional
issues.[87] He declared that the U.S.-Qatari “strategic partnership has deepened in
recent years, in spite of the regional unrest” and reiterated his commitment to
support a more comprehensive approach to the strategic challenges facing the Middle
East.[88]

Sheikh Tamim has been a personal friend of U.S. President Donald Trump prior to the
latter's presidency. He has visited the United States several times since Trump's
inauguration and has held bilateral meetings at the White House in Washington, D.C.

In July 2017, the US and Qatar signed a memorandum of understanding to combat the
financing of terrorism, making Qatar the first country in the region to sign the
executive program with the United States to fight terrorism financing.[89]

In July 2019, Sheikh Tamim visited the US to meet President Donald Trump and
discuss the latest regional and international developments.[90] A state dinner to
welcome Tamim was organized at the White House with “who’s who of people in
business”, including Robert Kraft and Christine Lagarde [91] The meeting concluded
with an enhanced economic partnership between both the countries, with Qatar
agreeing to do business with major US companies, including Boeing, Gulfstream,
Raytheon and Chevron Phillips Chemical.[92]

Personal characteristics and views

Sheikh Tamim is described as friendly, confident, and open by those who know him.
He is also described as savvy, careful, and conservative.[46] In addition, he is
considered to be a pragmatist, and to have "excellent relations" with the West,
including the United States and France.[8][46]

Political analysts expected Tamim to be more conservative and risk-averse than his
father.[46] Because Tamim is very close to the Muslim Brotherhood,[93] preserving a
national identity grounded in Islamic traditional values has been Tamim's first
priority.[46]
Personal life
Sheikh Tamim married his first wife (his second cousin) Sheikha Jawahir bint Hamad
Al Thani on 8 January 2005 (with whom he shares a great-grandfather, Hamad bin
Abdullah Al Thani). They have four children, two sons and two daughters:[7]
Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 15 January 2006)
Sheikh Hamad bin Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 20 October 2008).
Sheikha Aisha bint Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 24 August 2010).
Sheikh Jassim bin Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 12 June 2012).
Sheikh Tamim married a second wife, Sheikha Al-Anoud bint Mana Al Hajri, on 3 March
2009. She is the daughter of Mana bin Abdul Hadi Al Hajri, former Qatari Ambassador
to Jordan.[94] They have five children, three daughters and two sons:[7]
Sheikha Naylah bint Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 27 May 2010).
Sheikh Abdullah bin Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 29 September 2012).
Sheikha Roda bint Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 2014)
Sheikh Alqaqaa bin Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 3 October 2015)
Sheikha Moza bint Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 19 May 2018).
On 25 February 2014, Sheikh Tamim married a third wife, Sheikha Noora bint Hathal
Aldosari. They have three sons and one daughter:
Sheikh Joaan bin Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 27 March 2015).
Sheikh Mohammed bin Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 17 July 2017)
Sheikh Fahad bin Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 16 June 2018)
Sheikha Hind bint Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 5 February 2020)
In total he has thirteen children; seven sons and six daughters, from three wives.

Tamim participates in competitive sport. He was filmed playing badminton and bowled
with former Egyptian military chief Mohammed Hussein Tantawi.[7] He has a strong
interest in history and his nation's heritage.[8] He is fluent in English and
French.[46]

Controversies
Alleged support for Islamists
Some countries and regional analysts have claimed that Qatar has supported a
spectrum of Islamist groups around the region.[33] Especially since the beginning
of the Arab Spring upheaval in 2011, the country has provided diplomatic and
medical initiatives, and warnings to Islamist groups.[33] There have also been
claims that the Qatar-based pan-Arab satellite television channel Al Jazeera
promoted the narratives of the Islamist parties and causes supported by Qatar,
thereby contributing to the electoral success of some of these movements during
national polls.[33] However, Al Jazeera maintains that it was under pressure
because “it is the most transparent, balanced and unbiased of all Arab channels".
[95] The channel previously hosted a talk-show, “al-Sharīʿa wa al-Ḥayāh” ("Shariah
and Life"), featuring the controversial Brotherhood-associated Egyptian cleric
Yusuf al-Qaradawi.[96]

There have also been claims that Qatar supports the Muslim Brotherhood.[33] Qatar
allegedly provided a financial boost to Morsi's Freedom and Justice Party, and
Brotherhood opponents allegedly argued that Morsi's narrow election victory was
achieved through Qatari funding.[97] After Morsi's election, Qatar contributed a
total of US$5.5 billion to the Muslim Brotherhood administration.[97] Qatar has
repeatedly denied that it supports the Muslim Brotherhood, saying it supports “the
legitimate peoples and governments elected whatever the ideology of the ruling
group as long as it works on the prosperity and welfare of its people.”[98] Tamim
himself has also repeatedly denied that Qatar supports extremists.[99]

There have been rumors that Qatar looked at the Brotherhood in Syria as a natural
Islamist ally to deliver its policy aims in the region.[33] The Financial Times
claimed in a report that Qatar provided Syrian rebels financial support of US$1
billion, saying that “people close to the Qatar government” claimed that the real
amount is close to 3 billion dollars.[69] Furthermore, there have been rumors that
Qatar is using its funding to develop networks of loyalty among rebels and
allegedly to set the stage for Qatar's influence in the post-Assad era, although
these rumors are unconfirmed.[69]

Analysts claim that both Qatar and Saudi Arabia are engaged in proxy wars in Syria
and Libya.[50] Tamim in particular played a role in the mediation with Taliban
leaders, with whom he initiated contacts under his father's government. The United
States requested the establishment of a Taliban office in Doha. In June 2013, the
Taliban opened their first official overseas office in the Qatari capital as part
of the long-standing attempt to broker a long-term Afghan peace agreement.[100] In
June 2015, Qatar successfully mediated efforts to free four Tajikistan soldiers
kidnapped in December 2014 in Afghanistan by a Taliban group.[101]

Qatar hosted the historic signing of a peace deal between the US and the Taliban in
February 2020 which called for the full withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.
[102] Beginning in September 2020, Qatar has hosted the peace talks between the
Afghan government and the Taliban to end decades of war in the country.[103]

Qatar has also provided aid through loans and investments to the democratically
elected Ennahdha Party in Tunisia,[104] and to parties in Yemen and Morocco.[33]

The country's support for Islamist causes and for organizations that oppose the
absolute rule of the Gulf's hereditary rulers provoked tensions with the GCC
countries.[105] In March 2014 Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates
withdrew their ambassadors from Qatar. Officially, the decision was motivated by
Qatar's alleged refusal to ratify the agreements of non-interference in domestic
policy within the GCC in December 2013.[106] Some analysts observed that the
diplomatic crisis was the peak of long-time degenerated