RULERSS OF QATAR

1. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Thani (1851-1878)

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Thani is the first Ruler of Qatar and one of its eminent
leaders.
➢ He was born around 1776 in the northeast part of Qatar in Fuweirat, where he
became the Chief of his tribe in the year 1839.
➢ In 1848, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Thani moved to Doha, becoming its Chief.
➢ He signed an agreement on September 12, 1868, with the British Political
Resident Col. Lewis Pelly, which was considered as the first international
recognition of the sovereignty of Qatar under the leadership of Sheikh
Mohammed.
➢ He united the Qatari tribes and the country in a difficult stage, and was known
for wisdom, far-sightedness and love of literature and poetry.
➢ Sheikh Mohammed became the Ruler of Qatar in 1851. He unified all the
leading tribes of Qatar under the purple-red banner that eventually became the
flag of the country.
➢ He passed away on December 18, 1878.

2. Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Bin Thani(1878-1913)

Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Bin Thani is the founder of the State of Qatar.

➢ He was born around 1827 and was brought up in Fuweirat.

➢ After the passing away of his father, he succeeded him in running the country.
➢ He encouraged education and thereby building Quranic schools, improved the
harbours and shipbuilding to support the pearl trade.
➢ Under his rule, Qatar became the biggest source of pearls in this part of the
world. During his rule, the population of the country increased and urbanisation
began.
➢ Sheikh Jassim was a devoted supporter of the Islamic Caliphate. His
relationship with the Ottoman authority became tense, so he was granted the
title of “kaimakam”, military and administrative rank.
➢ He was also given another honorary title of "Kapuji-bashi", in recognition of
his de facto authority and leadership of the Qatari tribes.
➢ The Wajbah battle is a notable event in Qatar’s history, making Sheikh Jassim
an illustrious personality in the entire gulf region.
➢ He was also a great poet of vernacular poetry called "Nabati poetry". He also
wrote his own poems.
 ➢ The date of the succession of Sheikh Jassim, December 18, 1878, is today
celebrated as the National Day of the State of Qatar. Sheikh Jassim died on 13
Shaban 1331 AH, which corresponds to July 17, 1913.
➢ A military leader, judge and scholar, knight and poet possessing both gallantry
and magnanimity. For the sake of defending Qatar he fought many wars, and
perils could not impede his inclination to defy hardships, end injustice and
protect the oppressed.

3. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim Al Thani(1913-1949)

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim Al Thani is the third Ruler of the State of Qatar.
➢ Born in 1871 in Al Bida, in 1906 his father, Sheikh Jassim appointed him as
the Governor of Doha, to prepare him for ruling the country after him.
➢ Sheikh Abdullah became the Ruler of Qatar on July 17, 1913. On July 29,
1913, the Anglo-Ottoman Convention was signed between Turkey and Britain
which renounced all the Ottoman rights to Qatar.
➢ The Ottoman military presence in Qatar came to an end on August 19, 1915.
➢ On November 3, 1916, Britain signed the Anglo-Qatari Treaty in accordance
with which Sheikh Abdullah agreed not to enter into any relations with any
other power without the prior consent of the British Government.
➢ In return, Sir Percy Zachariah Cox, Britain’s Political Resident in the Gulf,
who signed the Treaty on behalf of his Government, guaranteed the protection
of Qatar from all aggression by sea, thereby Qatar had become the last country
in the Gulf to sign such a treaty.
➢ Sheikh Abdullah’s position as the most important ruler in the region was
recognised by Britain in 1919, when he was awarded the order of Indian
Empire Great Commander (CIE), making him the only recipient among all the
Chiefs of the Trucial Coast.
➢ On May 5, 1935 as Sheikh Abdullah renewed the 1916 treaty, Britain agreed to
protect Qatar from land assault in addition to the sea assault.
➢ Consequently, Sheikh Abdullah’s first Oil Concession Agreement with the
Anglo-Persian Oil Company was signed in Qatar on May 17, 1935.
➢ Qatar's first oil well was drilled in October 1938, and Dukhan is where oil was
discovered in January 1940.
➢ On June 30, 1948 Sheikh Abdullah appointed his son Sheikh Ali as Deputy
Ruler,
➢ He was known for his piety, righteousness and vast knowledge. During his
tenure the first oil well was drilled in the country.
 ➢ He proved himself as a shrewd and gifted negotiator during the negotiations
with oil companies. He was a far-sighted statesman.

4. Sheikh Ali Bin Abdullah Al Thani(1949-1960)

Sheikh Ali Bin Abdullah Al Thani is the fourth Ruler of the State of Qatar.

➢ He was born around 1896. Under his rule, on December 29, 1949, the first
shipment of onshore Qatari oil was exported from Messaid.
➢ During his reign, the State of Qatar fortified relations with various Arab and
countries around the world. The first British political official in Qatar was
appointed in 1950.
➢ Sheikh Ali signed an agreement with the Iraq Petroleum Company, which later
became Qatar Petroleum, on September 1, 1952.
➢ On November 29, 1952, Sheikh Ali also signed an offshore agreement with the
Shell Overseas Exploration Company Ltd to extract oil from the offshore
fields.
➢ Under the terms of these agreements, Qatar acquired 50% of the profit from the
export of oil.
➢ Under his rule, the health sector developed and the famous Rumailah Hospital
was launched in 1957.
➢ Under his competent rule, the Clock Tower, ship harbour, the National Library,
and the airport was built.
➢ Water supply networks, providing homes with free water were also installed.
➢ In 1953 the first telephone exchange was launched in Qatar, and in 1954 the
first water desalination station was inaugurated which was followed by a power
generation station, providing citizens with free electricity.
➢ Sheikh Ali was also responsible for building and refurbishing various mosques
not only in Qatar, but also in Arab and European countries.
➢ He was known by solemnity, wisdom, forbearance, pursuance of a path of
conciliation and consolidation of common word, the high moral character, high
personal traits and noble qualities.
➢ During his tenure the country exported the first oil shipment, marking the
actual entry into the oil age, and a new period of social and economic
development.

5. Sheikh Ahmad Bin Ali Al Thani(1960-1972)

The Fifth Ruler of Qatar and the first Ruler to bear the title "Amir".
➢ He was born around 1920 in Doha. He became the Ruler of Qatar on October
24, 1960.
 ➢ In November, 1960, under his rule, the Ministry of Finance and in 1967, the
Department of Civil Service was established.
➢ Under his reign, a large number of oil fields like the Idd al-Sharqi field – which
was the first offshore field to be fully operated – and Maydan Mahzam field
were discovered.
➢ This led to the establishment of the Department of Oil Affairs, Department of
Legal Affairs, and the Department of Labor and Social Affairs.
➢ An oil storage facility was built in Halul Island north of the country in 1965.
These developments led to Qatar becoming an oil-rich nation from a pearl-
diving nation.
➢ On April 2, 1970, the temporary Basic law for Qatar was formulated and the
Council of Ministers was formed on May 28 under the leadership of Sheikh
Khalifa bin Hamad, the Heir Apparent and Deputy Amir.
➢ On September 3, 1971, Qatar’s independence was declared. This meant that the
people of Qatar owed their allegiance to him as the Amir of the State of Qatar.
➢ He was noted for his solemnity, wisdom and careful discretion in tackling
issues.
➢ He followed a path of conciliation and consolidation of common word, during
his reign the Shura (advisory) Council was formed and the first interim basic
law was promulgated.

6. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani (1972-1995)

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani is the Sixth Ruler of the State of Qatar.

➢ He was born in 1932 and in 1949, he was appointed as a Chairman of Security

Affairs in Qatar and he became the first Minister of Education in the year 1957.
➢ Sheikh Khalifa became the Heir Apparent and Deputy Ruler on October 24,
1960. On 5 November, he assumed the portfolio of the Ministry of Finance and
became the first Chairman of Qatar National Bank, after it was founded in
1964, and chaired the first Council of Ministers in 1970.
➢ On September 3, 1971, Sheikh Khalifa declared the independence of Qatar In
the same year, the law for the establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
was issued with Sheikh Khalifa assuming its administration along with his
other responsibilities.
➢ The process of Arabisation and promotion of the government’s power were
adopted in Qatar during this time.
➢ Internationally, Qatar maintained its sovereign policy through a friendship
treaty with Britain on September 3, 1971.
➢ On February 22, 1972, Sheikh Khalifa became the Amir of Qatar. He
immediately started the reorganisation of the government.
 ➢ Great diplomatic relations were also established with various countries. A
cabinet reshuffle also took place during this time.
➢ With the expansion of the government, the education system of Qatar also
underwent a reformation.
➢ A long list of schools were inaugurated and Qatar's first university, the
University of Qatar was established in 1973. The first museum in Qatar was
also established in 1975.
➢ The state revenue from the oil sector had increased due to the signing of a
number of production sharing agreements with a number of foreign oil
companies.
➢ In 1991, the production of gas in the Qatari North Field, the world’s largest
single non-associated gas field, commenced.
➢ The North Field has estimated reserves of more than nine hundred trillion cubic
feet of gas leading to Qatar becoming an energy superpower.
➢ His reign had seen many achievements such as the reorganisation of the
government, the Interim Basic law was amended, the country concluded a
number of agreements to extract and market oil, schools and colleges were set
up and the first university in the country was established.

7. HH The Father Amir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani (1995-2013)

He is the former Amir of the State of Qatar, and one of its iconic leaders, and the
architect of its modern revival.
➢ He is the architect of modern day Qatar.
➢ During his reign, Qatar’s permanent constitution was formed, and “Qatar
National Vision 2030” was framed.
➢ Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani was born in January 1952 in Doha, where
he was raised and completed his education.
➢ After his graduation in 1971, he joined the Qatar Armed Forces where he was
promoted till he reached the rank of Maj. Gen.
➢ He was appointed as the Heir Apparent and Minister of Defence on 31 May
1977. He also held the position of the Chairman of the Supreme Council for
Planning.
➢ As soon as His Highness took over as the Ruler on 27 June 1995, he brought in
many developmental and reformation plans.
➢ His plans for reconstruction brought in a wave for development in the State of
Qatar and his plans encompassed all sectors and industries in Qatar.
➢ The energy and economy sector saw great development under his rule.
➢ The gas production at North Field boomed, and LNG exports started from it in
1996. This led to a rapid increase in profits for the country. Qatar became the
largest LNG exporter in the world in 2016.
 ➢ To oversee the energy, economic and investment affairs, in October 2001 the
Supreme Council for Economic Affairs and Investment was established under
the chairmanship of His Highness.
➢ The establishment of “Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and
Community Development” in August 1995 to support scientific and cultural
drive in the country, was among His Highness' first decisions under the
chairmanship.
➢ Then censorship of the local press was scrapped in October 1995, followed by
the abolition of the Ministry of Information in 1998, giving rise to open
dialogue for the media and the press. Al Jazeera TV Channel was launched in
1996 and it signified a landmark step for the country.
➢ In 1996 Qatar held the first election of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, under His Highness' rule, which was followed by the first elections of
the central municipal council in March 1999.
➢ For the first time in the history of the country, women were granted the right to
vote and stand for candidacy.
➢ On June 8, 2004, the first permanent constitution of the State of Qatar was
promulgated- after a popular historic referendum held on 29 April 2003.
➢ Under the new Constitution, governance was founded on a system of separation
of powers and their collaboration and people were the power.
➢ Under the rule of His Highness, the country became a centre for political,
economic, cultural and scientific conferences.
➢ Qatar became the first Arab and Islamic nation to win the hosting of the 2022
FIFA World Cup, under the rule of His Highness, in December 2010.
➢ H.H. was awarded various decorations by Arab and foreign countries for
strengthening bilateral relations and promoting areas of cooperation between
all.
➢ During his reign, which witnessed massive economic, social and cultural
development, the State of Qatar extended its status amongst the Arab and
international community.

8. His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (2013- present)

His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani assumed his duties as Amir of the
State of Qatar on 25th June 2013, following the announcement of His Highness The
Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, in an address to the Qatari people,
of his decision to hand over power to his Heir Apparent and the pledge of allegiance
to HH Sheikh Tamim by the Qatari people as the new Amir.
➢ His Highness was appointed Heir Apparent and Deputy Commander-in-Chief
of the Armed Forces on 5 August 2003.
➢ During this time, His Highness chaired and headed different bodies and
supreme councils in various sectors, like the Supreme Council for Information
and Communication Technology, etc.
➢ His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani contributed remarkably to
the Qatar National Vision 2030, as he was entrusted with the task by the then
H.H. Amir to chair the Supreme Committee. H.H. Amir is still actively
following up on this even today.
➢ H.H. The Amir was in the forefront for overseeing the launch of Qatar National
Day. It is one of the most important ones, among the many contributions of the
Amir.
➢ Believing in the health and wellbeing of every person in the country, H.H. The
Amir also greatly contributed to the launch of the National Sports Day.
➢ As Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani became
the Head of State and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
➢ In addition to this, he also chairs the Supreme Committee for Delivery and
Legacy, the National Security Council and the Supreme Council for Economic
Affairs and Investment.
➢ During H.H. During Sheikh Tamim's tenure, Qatar was ranked the number one
in capital flows, political and legislative areas, gross domestic product per
capita and low unemployment rate.
➢ The State of Qatar has also ranked first in the Higher education Quality report,
humanitarian affairs, global peace index, and human development index.
➢ H.H The Amir has received various international medals and awards for his
contributions in humanitarian areas and international issues.