Ancient Ages

Archeological excavations, engravings, flintspearheads, group of finepotteryworks, which were discovered in different parts of Qatar by archaeological expeditions from Denmark in 1956, Britain in 1972, and France in 1976, proved that human habitation in Qatar peninsula is traced back to 4000 BC. Different people lived in Qatar throughout of its ancient history and they left their legacies and heritages.

Around two hundred sites of prehistoric archaeological evidences were discovered during the eight years of excavations carried out in Qatar by the Danish Archaeological expedition from 1956 to 1965.

Several sites of different periods in the Stone Age were discovered east of (Um Babb); other sites were discovered in difference parts towards the southernmost border of Qatar near (Sudanthail); also an important large site for manufacture of flintworkswasfoundin(UmTaqah) south east of (Dukhan), which could be traced to the Mesolithic Middle Stone Age. Towards the south west of Messaied a number of new sites were discovered. The archaeological excavations proved that the Ubaidi civilization, which was prevalent in southern of Iraq and the northern region of the Arabian Gulf, had also extended to Qatar peninsula.

In the 5th century B.C., the Greek historian Herodotus mentioned that the Canaanite Tribes, a people known for their trade and navigation skills, were the first people to live in Qatar. Furthermore, Ptolemy, the Greek geographer, made a reference to “the name of Qatar” in his map the so-called the Arab countries as believed, to point out to the Qatari town of Al-Zubarah, which was one of the most important commercial ports in the Gulf region at that time.

Qatar in the Islamic History

In the middle of the 7th century A.D., the lands of Qatar and the surrounding areas were under the rule of Al-Manazirah Arabs. Their king, Al-Munzir Ibn Sawi Al-Tamimi, embraced Islam. Thus, Qatar has become a part of the Islamic civilization and witnessed various Islamic eras and phases.

The presence of Qatar in the Arabic and Islamic literature was very prominent, since poets expressed their admiration of Qatar, its highbred camels, and woven cloth and garments to the extent that, according to some sources, Allah’s Messenger Mohamed (May Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him) wore a Qatari garment, and ‘Aysha, wife of the Prophet (the Mother of the Faithful- may Allah be pleased with her) wore a gown made of Qatari textile. It was also reported that the third Caliph, ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) had a Qatari loincloth.

Furthermore, it is reported in the Arab Islamic History that the Qatari people were very proficientinnavigationskills,sotheytookpartinthe preparation of the firstnavywhichwasassembledtotransportthe Islamic army for jihad under the leadership of Abu Al-Alaa Al-Hadrami.

The Arab historians and travelers honored the fame and outstanding bravery of the Qatari poet and horseman: Qatari Ibn Al-Fujaah. In his book Mu’jam Al-Buldan’ i. e. (The Dictionary of Countries) Yaqut Al-Hamawi, a well known Arabian geographer, mentioned Qatar for its finestripedwovencloaks,knownatthattime as Qatari cloaks, and stated the Qataris’ remarkable skill in the manufacture and finefinishingofspears,whichwereknownas‘Al-Khattiyah’ i. e. linear spears.

Under the Abbasid State during the 8th century A.H. (14th century A.D.), Qatar witnessed a great economic boom, which enabled it to financiallysupporttheCaliphateCentreinBaghdad.Theevidenceof such support can be gleaned from the inscriptions of Merweb fort, situated on the western coast of the Qatar peninsula, since this fort carries the distinguishing features of the Abbasid architectural style.

During the 10th century A.H. (16th century A.D.), the Qataris allied with the Turks to drive out the Portuguese; consequently, Qatar, like all Arab countries in 1871, came under the Turkish rule for four successive centuries. Ottoman sovereignty, however, was only nominal since the real authority was in the hands of the Sheikhs and princes of local Arab tribes.

In 1893, the Turkish attacked the headquarters of Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohamed, but he defeated them in Al-Wajbah Battle. Subsequently, they retreated to Doha fort.

Qatar in the 20th Century

Qatar continued to maintain its ties with the State of the Islamic Caliphate during the early years of the 20th century and recognized its nominal sovereignty even though the Ottoman influenceinthe Gulf region and the Arabian Peninsula was on the wane. In those circumstances, Qatar did not commit itself to any protection pacts other than the 1868 treaty, which Sheikh Mohamed Bin Thani had signed with Britain.

On the other hand, Britain was able to conclude an agreement with Qatar in 1916 which was finallyapprovedonMarch23rd, 1918 after Sheikh Abdulla Bin Jassim had ratifiedtheoriginalandthetranslatedversions of the treaty.

Thus, Britain moved to the de fact presence stage in Qatar after the approval of the amended treaty in 1935, since the amended version secured the nullificationofthe“frozenarticles”intheoldtreatyconcerning the British political representation in Qatar, provided the establishment of an officeforpostalandtelegraphicservicesandtheestablishment of airports and other facilities, notwithstanding that no British political representative had come to Doha before 1949.

Oil drilling operations took around 14 years (1935 - 1949), and though oil started to flowfromDukhanfieldattheendof1939,operations

ceased for 4 years (1942-1946) because of the broke out of the Second World War and its repercussions. In 1949, oil started to flowincommercial amounts. So, in December of the same year, the firstshipleft the shores of Qatar bearing a consignment of Qatari crude oil to world markets.

Before oil exploration operations and exporting it in commercial amounts, a 10-year- period of hardship, which was marked by food shortage, sharp increase in the price of commodities and sharp fall in revenues from pearling industry, hit the country between 1939 and 1949 in the aftermath of the Second World War.

Although Qatar did not yet obtain its independence, it spared no effort since the 1960s to engage in some international activities by joining some technical UN organizations, such as the UNESCO and the WHO. It also participated in the conferences of Oil Producing Countries and the 14th session of the League of Arab Countries’ cultural committee, which was held in Cairo on the January 21st, 1961.

After Britain had decided to completely withdraw from the region in 1968, a Decree by Law No (11) of 1969 was issued to establish a department for foreign affairs, which then became the nucleus of the present Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ruling Family:

The Al Thani family drew their name after the chief of their tribe, Thani Bin Mohamed who ruled the country. They are a branch of Beni Tamim tribe, who trace back to their ancestor Mudhar Bin Nizar. Their history traces back to the arrival of Al Thani tribe to Qatar from (Al Eshaiqar) town in Al Washem region, in the Eighteenth century. They then settled at Al-Rewais Oasis, and then shifted to Zubara. Toward the mid of the Nineteenth century they settled in Doha under the leadership of Sheikh Mohamed Bin Thani. The succession of rule in Qatar is a hereditary within Al Thani family.

Rulers of Qatar from among Al-Thani family:

Sheikh Mohammad Bin Thani (1850 - 1878).

Mohammad Al Thani (1878 - 1913).

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim Al Thani (1913 -1940).

Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdullah Al Thani (1940 -1948).

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim Al Thani ( 1948 – 1949)*.

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

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Ali Al Thani (1960- 1972) .

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

Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani The Present Emir ( 1995 up to now).

Note : Despite of his abdication of the throne to his son Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdullah in 1940, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim Al Thani, returned to power in 1948, after the death of his son Sheikh Hamad, and remained in power till his death in 1949.Brief Profile of H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani:Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani assumed power on June 27th, 1995, after securing the consent and allegiance of the ruling family, Al Thani and the rest of the Qatari citizens.

His Highness was born in Doha in 1952. He began his education in Qatar and attended the British Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, from where he was graduated in 1971. He then commissioned and promoted to military ranks and posts till he was gradated the title of Major General, and later appointed Commander in Chief of the Qatari Armed Forces.

His Highness is known for his dedication to national work, as he is known for his independent personality, broad mindedness and for his resort to counseling, in line with his hard strives to develop the Qatari society. He was greatly concerned with youth and wear activities. Hence, Doha hosted the Asian Olympic Games.

His Highness covered with his care and patronage all fields of public work. He took wide strides in developing education, industry, infra structure, gas production, petrochemicals, as he supported laying the foundations of industry and the national economy.

His Highness patronized number of international conferences, such International Economic Conference, Doha Islamic Summit, 77-Plus China Summit Conference, The International Conference on New or Restored Democracies.

The State of Qatar has projected a distinguished presence in the international arena, during His Highness’s era. After bolstering bonds of fraternity with the GCC member states and with Arab countries, Qatar has stepped forward towards strengthening its friendly links with different foreign countries, through reciprocal consultations and by participating in addressing in issues of concern for international and regional cooperation and peace movement, particularly among the Non-Aligned Group. It chaired the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Group of 77 –plus- China. Qatar became a member of the UN, non permanent member of the Security Council, member of the UN Human Rights Council and of Economic and Social Council. Currently Qatar chairs the 6th International Conference on New or Restored Democracies.

The foreign policy under the stewardship of His Highness is distinguished with flexibility,balanceanddynamics.Itestablishedeffective and positive relation with other countries. Qatar contributed directly to solution of political crisis of Lebanon and supported peace in the Middle East and stability and security in the region, particularly in the Gulf. Qatar widely participated in humanitarian operations and in peacekeeping forces.

His Highness was awarded numerous medals and Legion of Honor from number of Arab, Islamic and foreign countries, in recognition to his unique efforts in bolstering bilateral relations and in promoting fields of cooperation with these countries.