Qatar

Living in...

Published with the support of

Published by Motivate Publishing Dubai PO Box 2331, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel (+971 4) 282 4060, fax (+971 4) 282 7898 e-mail: books@motivate.ae www.booksarabia.com Office 508, Building No 8, Dubai Media City, Dubai, UAE Tel (+971 4) 390 3550, fax (+971 4) 390 4845 abu Dhabi PO Box 43072, Abu Dhabi, UAE Tel (+971 2) 677 2005, fax (+971 2) 677 0124 LonDon Acre House, 11/15 William Road, London NW1 3ER e-mail: motivateuk@motivate.ae Directors Obaid Humaid Al Tayer and Ian Fairservice GeneraL ManaGer books Jonathan Griffiths series eDitor Simona Cassano eDitor Moushumi Nandy eDitoriaL assistant Therese Webb PubLishinG coorDinator Zelda Pinto senior DesiGner Cithadel Francisco DesiGner Charlie Banalo First published 2009 Living In Series Original text Leslie Nicolas Nasr 2009 Motivate Publishing 2009 ISBN: 978 1 86063 270 9
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PhotoGraPhic creDits
Arabian Eye: Bandula, T.H.: Corbis: Four Seasons Hotel: Grapheast: Haddad, Norma: Masci, Giuseppe: Mc Morrow, Brian: Ministry of Information, Qatar: 22-23, 28, 41, 43, 46-47, 144-145, 153, 166-167, 169 (bottom), 174, 175, 183, 184-185, 186-187, 189, 192, 215 (top), 224 front cover, 56-57, 80-81, 84, 86-87, 89, 98, 106-107, 113, 114-115, 118, 119 (top), 120-121, 124-125, 128-129, 136, 139, 142-143, 190-191, 193, 200, 202, 209 (bottom), 211, 215 (top), 226 17, 18, 85, 92, 102-103, 147, 178, 203, 206-207, 220-221 172, 230 35, 52, 97, 111, 126-127, 130, 132 (top), 146, 229, 238-239 63 37 (right), 42, 122, 169 (top), 171, 181 195, 240-241 10-11, 13, 14-15, 21, 30, 31, 33, 37 (left), 38, 44, 50, 54, 59, 82-83, 90, 95, 108, 119 (bottom), 132 (bottom), 134-135, 136, 137, 151, 156-157, 159, 161, 163, 164, 177, 179, 180, 182, 188, 199, 205, 209 (top and central), 215 (bottom), 217, 218-219, 274-275, inside back cover 234-235 242 74-75, 78 (2), 104 24-25 228, 232

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Qatar
Leslie Nicolas Nasr

Living in...

Qatar LIVING
wHAT MAkES QATAr SpECiAL The State of Qatar is a challenging and charming country for its residents visitors and nationals alike and the aura surrounding this part of the world is still a mystery to many. Just a few years ago Qatar was relatively unknown, yet today it is a famous country of almost unimaginable economic growth rates. Qatar is now on the map for quite a few reasons. To start with, thanks to its formula for economic success Qatar has become the foreign direct investment capital of the Middle East. The country boasts the worlds third largest reserves of oil and natural gas, and it has one of the highest per capita GDPs, not only among the GCC countries, but also in the world. Qatars capital and largest city, Doha, is a hub of educational excellence and the countrys economic centre. Moreover, Qatar excels in improving telecommunications services and is the birthplace of the controversial Aljazeera Satellite Channel. Finally, it still presents itself as a calm and serene environment, despite the expansion and the development of new projects. COMing TO QATAr n In the last sixty years the Qataris have been propelled from pearl divers and Bedouins struggling to survive to citizens of one of the richest nations on Earth. Find out how they managed to forge a cohesive nation, with a unique national spirit and identity, social customs and traditions, in chapters 1, History, and 2, Quick Facts. If you are looking for moving companies and other useful tips, they can be found in chapter 3, Moving. n Qatar is a fairly cheap country to live in (with the exception of rent). For instance, the government does not charge high fees for most utilities such as water, electricity and home phone lines. Read more in chapters 5, Housing, and 7, Utilities and Services. n Shariah Law regulates the Islamic legal system. To know in advance all legal issues you may face (from visas to licences) go to chapter 4, Legal Matters. n Qatar has hardly any taxes. For money-related issues, go directly to chapter 9, Finances. n Doha offers an excellent studying environment in its schools, colleges and institutions. The private schools are mostly designed in accordance with the French, UK and US systems, as chapter 11, Education, explains. n Health care in Qatar is heavily subsidized. For details on health insurance, doctors, hospitals etc., refer to chapter 12, Health Care. n There is no specific means of public transport in Doha, apart from the affordable taxi service (chapter 8, Transport). In fact, most residents of Qatar own private cars (chapter 7, Driving). n You can explore the natural environment of Qatar by taking an exciting desert safari; relax at the many beaches and pools; or enjoy your favourite sport, be it bowling, golf or ice skating. Living in Qatar can be great fun, as the country also hosts a wide range of sports events. There is something for everyone in chapters 13, Leisure and Sport, and 15, Out and About.
n

gET THE MOST OUT OF living in... qatar

Based around on-the-ground realities, Living in... Qatar covers the countrys history, its culture, the best way to prepare a move, the subtle nuances of daily life and social attitudes, the availability of housing, the different education systems as well as tried and tested recommendations for select shopping, dining and entertainment options. To find this information you can:

browse explore use find

through the detailed contents pages to find at a glance the information you need on how to get a visa, how to chose a moving company, whats on in Qatar entertainmentwise, and much more;

each chapter and Now you know! interest boxes, which are laid out in a user-friendly way, to read everything you need about Qatar;

the directory (p. 244) for quick reference. The directory is the source of up-to-date recommended addresses for your shopping, leisure and travel, as well as education and health care;

in each paragraph your shortcut to the relevant section in the directory:

Cons. & Embassies Education Ministries Hospitals & Clinics Websites Leisure Sport Hotels Recr./Lounges Services Eating Out Shopping Mind & Body
Cult. & Soc. Activities

Travel Emergency Nos

refer

to the full map of Qatar at the end of this book to get the bigger picture of your new country, and to the snapshot of the city of Doha as a guide for moving around town; to find your restaurant, hotel or any other location, go to the maps general listings (p. 279) to locate your place of interest in the map grid.

Note that: the procedures outlined are accurate and updated to date of publication, but may be subject to change; n location names in Qatar might have different spellings. This is a mirror of reality, more than a mistake or error per se, as even road signs are spelt differently according to the source providing the service and information.
n

10 HISTORY /// 1

Early History 12 /// Foreign occupation 12, al thani Family 12 towards indEpEndEncE 12 /// the anglo-Qatari treaty 13, the British protectorate 16, the anglo-ottoman convention 16, oilfields 16, independence 18 dEvElopmEnt oF tHE statE oF Qatar 18 /// Qatar in tHE twEnty-First cEntury 19 /// doha convention centre and tower (dcct) 19, Education city and total memorandum of understanding 19, Energy city 20, al Khor area (north of doha) 20, labourers city 20, lusail 20, new doha international airport (ndia) 20, new doha port 24, the pearl 24, Qatar-Bahrain causeway 24, Qatar media city 24, Qatar science and technology park (Qstp) 24, al rayyan park 25, sothebys Qatar 25, state mosque of Qatar (al Khuwair) 25, tarfeeh city 25, al waab city 25, al wakra area (south of doha) 25, west Bay car park 25

26 QUICK FACTS /// 2

Qatar or doHa? 29 /// GEoGrapHy 29 /// terrain 29, Fauna 30, Flora 30, marine life 31 climatE 31 /// Economy 32 /// population 32 /// spoKEn lanGuaGE 33 /// culturE 33 /// the Family 33, Hospitality 33, traditional sports 33, coffee shops 35 EtiQuEttE and protocol 35 /// GrEEtinGs 38 /// Handshaking 38, nose touching 38, dress code 38 rEliGion: islam 39 /// the woman in islam 40, mosques 40 calEndar oF islamic Holidays 40 /// ramadan 40, mouloud (the prophets Birthday) 42, Eid al-Fitr (Breaking the Fast) 42, Eid al-adha (Festival of sacrifice) 42, al isras wal meraj 42, national Holidays 42 otHEr rEliGions in Qatar 42 /// saFEty and sEcurity 44 ///

46 MOVING /// 3

BEForE tHE movE 48 /// packing 48, clothing 48, Electronics/Household appliances 48, Forbidden materials 49, duty Free allowances 49, pets 49, documents required for the importation of a pet 49, Banned Breeds for Qatar 49, Food supplies for animals 50, Buying a pet 50, veterinaries 50, Boarding Facilities 50 tHE movE 50 /// choosing a moving company 50, tips for the move 51, paperwork 52, loading of personal Effects, time Frame 53 upon arrival in Qatar 53 /// customs clearance 53, storage in Qatar 53, the unloading process 53 sEttlinG down 55 ///

56 LEGAL MATTERS /// 4

tHE lEGal systEm in Qatar 58 /// sHariaH law and its applications 58 /// ExpatriatEs, Qatar law and sHariaH 58 /// prosecution 59, Business and the law 59, collecting a debt in a civil case 61, wills and testaments 61, death 61 movinG to Qatar: documEnts nEEdEd 62 /// visas 64 /// Employment visa 64, residence visa 65, Exit permit 66, residence visa for the Family 67, labour card for wives and daughters 67, domestic Help visa 68, visit visas 69, Business visa 71 rEnEwinG visas 71 /// cancEllinG visas 72 /// EmploymEnt Ban 73 /// cHanGinG sponsors 73 /// licEncEs and documEnts 73 /// national identity card 76, the E-Gate card 76, alcohol licence 76 liFEstylE and tHE law 77 /// marriage 77, divorce 77, mixed marriages 77, Expatriates marrying in Qatar 79

80 HOUSING /// 5

a sprawlinG city 82 /// rEntal and purcHasE 83 /// tHE districts in doHa 84 /// airport area 84, Bin omran 84, corniche 84, c-ring 84, decoration roundabout 85, diplomatic area 85, d-ring 85, Gharrafa landmark mall area 85, industrial area 85, maamoora 85, madinat Khalifa aspire Zone, villaggio and Hyatt plaza malls 85, al mergab street nasr area 88, muntazah area 88, najma and mansoura 88, old airport road 88, al sadd street 88, al luqta street 88, al salata al Jadeeda 88, tv roundabout markhiya area 88, al waab area 88, west Bay al dafna 88 outsidE doHa 89 /// al Khor 89, al wakra 89 tEmporary accommodation rEcommEndEd HotEl apartmEnts 89 ///

90 UTILITIES & SERVICES /// 6

watEr and ElEctricity 92 /// Gas 93 /// tElEpHonE 93 /// dialling local calls from Qatar 93, to call an international number from Qatar 93, landline 93, mobile 93, public payphone 94 intErnEt 94 /// radio 94 /// tElEvision 95 /// dvd/vidEo rEntals 95 /// prEss 95 /// postal sErvicEs 97 /// courier services 98 HomE sErvicEs 99 /// maintenance 99, cleaning and pest control 99, dry cleaning 99, Food take away and delivery 100 domEstic HElp 100 /// ways of Finding domestic Help in Qatar 100, salary and recommendations 101 miscEllanEous proFEssional sErvicEs 101 ///

102 DRIVING /// 7

drivinG licEncEs 104 /// your car 109 /// purchasing 109, second-hand cars 110, documents needed to purchase a car 110, rentals 110 car inspEction 110 /// car rEGistration 112 /// Estimara (road pErmit) 112 /// renewal of your road permit 112 insurancE 112 /// renewal of car insurance 113 car maintEnancE 116 /// BrEaKdown/towinG sErvicEs 116 /// inFrinGEmEnts and tHE law 117 /// Fines 117, traffic violation points system 117, annual accumulated points cancellation 117, speed cameras, random checking 118 motorcyclEs 118 /// pEdEstrian and BicyclE patHs 118 ///

120 TRANSPORT /// 8

traFFic 122 /// taxis 123 /// limousines 123, tipping the driver 123 BusEs 123 /// sEa/watEr travEl 124/// air transport 124 /// Qatar airways 124, doha international airport 124 tHE FuturE 125 ///

128 FINANCES /// 9

currEncy 130 /// opEninG a BanK account 130 /// documents required 131, cheques 131, offshore accounts 131, Getting loans, mortgages 133 islamic BanKinG 133 /// ExcHanGE companiEs 133 /// tElE monEy ordEr systEm By Qpost 133 /// paymEnt oF utility Bills 133 /// cost oF livinG 133 ///

134 WORKING /// 10

worKinG conditions 136 /// BusinEss EnvironmEnt 137 /// English as a second language 137, pace of work 137, signing a contract 137, Business Etiquette 138, confrontation 140, Feedback on performance 140, chain of command 140, role models 140 FrEE ZonEs 140 /// Qatar Financial cEntrE 140 ///

144 EDUCATION /// 11

tHE History oF Education in Qatar 146 /// prEsEnt Education systEm in Qatar 148 /// scHools at a GlancE 148 /// Enrolment 149, independent schools 149, nurseries 150, private schools 150, universities and Higher Education 152, special needs centres 152, unique combination learning Facilities 154 continuinG Education 155 /// language tuition 155, music tuition 155, miscellaneous 155

156 HEALTH CARE /// 12

GEnEral inFormation 158 /// Hospitals and clinics 159, practitioners 160, cosmetic surgery 160, costs and waiting times 160 FrEQuEnt HEaltH proBlEms amonG Expats 160 /// mEdical insurancE and HEaltH card 161 /// mEdicinEs 162 /// prEGnancy and rElatEd issuEs 162 /// nationality and certificates 162, Birth control 164, adoption 164, ivF, stem cells research 165, maternity leave 165 dEntists 165 /// psycHiatrists 165 /// support Groups 165 ///

166 LEISURE & SPORT /// 13

lEisurE i For adults (and tHE wHolE Family) 168 /// Beaches and parks 168, Bir Zekreet Beach 168, dukhan Beach 168, the French Beach 168, al Gharia and Fuwairit Beaches 168, the mesaieed Beach 170, doha sheraton park 170, dahl al Hamam park 170, al rumeila park 170 privatE cluB and FitnEss cEntrEs 170 /// spas and BEauty salons 170 /// women and unisex spas 172, Beauty salons 173, Hair salons for children 174, Hair salons for men 174 lEisurE ii activitiEs For Kids (and tHE wHolE Family) 174 /// sport 176 /// sport activitiEs For Kids 176 /// Ballet, classical, modern and Folk dance 176, Ballet and Jazz classes 176, Bop and tot classes 176, derby owners club 176, Jungle Zone 176, my Gym childrens Fitness centre 176, Qatar dance academy 177, regatta sailing academy 177, trampoline 177 sport activitiEs 177 /// Baseball 177, Basketball 177, Bowling 178, cycling 178, Fishing/cruising (Boat/yacht charters and dhow cruises) see sailing, Fitness 178, Football 178, Golf 179, Hockey 179, Horse riding 180, ice Hockey 180, ice-skating 180, martial arts 181, motocross 181, netball 181, rugby 181, running 181, sailing (also see Fishing) 182, self-defence 182, squash 182, swimming 182, tennis 182, volleyball 182, water sports 183, windsurfing 183, yoga and pilates 183

186 SHOPPING /// 14

strEEt sHoppinG 188 /// souks 188 sHoppinG malls 194 /// city centre mall 194, the mall 194, landmark mall 194, villaggio mall 194 sHoppinG cEntrEs 195 /// royal plaza 195, Hyatt plaza 195, centrepoint 195 supErmarKEts 195 /// carrefour 195, lulu Hypermarket 195 dEpartmEnt storEs 195 /// accEssoriEs 196 /// BEauty storEs (cosmEtics & pErFumEs) 196 /// BooKsHops 197 /// BoutiQuEs 197 /// FasHion 198 /// children & teenagers 198, High street chic & casual for all 198, infants & maternity 198, lingerie 198, mens Fashion 198, traditional ladies clothes 199, womens Fashion 199, shoes & accessories 199, sport Equipment 201 FurniturE and accEssoriEs 201 /// JEwEllEry storEs 203 /// Florists 204 /// GiFt sHops 204 /// opticians 204 /// HousEHold appliancEs and ElEctrical EQuipmEnt 204 /// music, vidEo and dvd storEs 204 /// sHowrooms/ souKs For cars 205 /// party suppliErs and EvEnts 205 ///

206 OUT & ABOUT /// 15

in doHa 208 /// mosques 208, museums and sites 208, art Galleries 211, cinemas 211, Qatar national library 212, social clubs 212 siGHtsEEinG trips 212 /// shopping tours 214, the traditional arabic oryx Farm 212, desert safaris 214 day trips and wEEKEnd GEtaways 214 /// Further out 214 EvEnts 216 /// cultural Events 216, doha cultural Festival 216, doha international Book Fair 216, music 216, Business and social Events 216, Earth Hour 216, Fashion 216 sport EvEnts 216 /// camel racing 217

220 THE HOTEL LIFE /// 16

dininG and liGHt BitEs 222 /// Hotel dining 222, catering 222 rEstaurants 223 /// asian cuisine 223, chinese 223, French 223, indian/pakistani 224, international dining 224, iranian 224, italian 224, Japanese 225, Korean 225, lebanese cuisine/middle Eastern 225, moroccan 225, seafood 225, steak Houses 226, tex-mex 226, thai 226, turkish 226 caFs and JuicE Bars 227 /// lounGEs 227 /// HotEls and dininG 228 /// malls and dininG 232 ///

234 LEAVING QATAR /// 17

visa 236 /// documEnts 236 /// to Have on Hand 236, Bank 236, medical 236, school 236 accommodation, taxEs, BanKs 237 /// pacKErs and movErs 237 /// ExportinG your pEt 237 /// utility accounts 238 /// water supply 238, landline and internet 238, Home maintenance 239, mobile phones 239, cable disconnection 239 salE oF Goods 239 ///

240 QUICK ARABIC /// 18 245 DIRECTORY 275 MAP OF DOHA NOW YOU KNOW!
national anthem of the state of Qatar 12 /// rulers of Qatar 16 /// natural reserves 29 /// mean monthly data and averages 30 /// useful information 32 ///national dress 34 /// turkish coffee 36 /// what is islam? 39 /// Garangao 40 /// charitable organizations in Qatar 45 /// medications and drugs 48 /// websites for an insight into Qatar 55 /// three things about the islamic system of law 58 /// crime and the law in Qatar 60 /// notes on passports 64 /// mandoub 66 /// Exempt countries (visit visa Fees) 70 /// Housing and History 82 /// three tips about Housing 88 /// aljazeera 96 /// Gardening 101 /// Exempt countries (licence Exchange) 105 /// driving and the weather 109 /// what to do in case of an accident 116 /// metrash 117 /// airport services: al maha 125 /// the E-cash card 131 /// moving with the children 148 /// Qatarization 154 /// Five Facts about the Qatar Health system 158 /// what to do in case of an Emergency 161 /// single mothers in Qatar 162 /// tried and tested: Beauty tips for ladies 167 /// renovating your Home or office 195 /// ten Fun must-dos in Qatar 208 /// Get ready for your desert safari: pluses and minuses 213 /// Qatars cuisine 222 /// sweet treats 226

History

Al-Zubara Fort,qatar north-west Qatar. 10 living in...

History

HiStOrY /// 1
THE DEVELOPMENT OF QATAR: FROM BEDOUIN VILLAGE TO BUSINESS HUB

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History

The State of Qatar is a monarchy ruled by the emir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, who assumed this role on June 26, 1995. Early History Solid proof that Qatar was populated as early as 50004000 BC are discoveries of prehistoric pottery and inscriptions on archeological sites, allegedly seafaring Canaanites. The area of the coastal town Zubara, facing the island of Bahrain, was believed at the time to carry the name Qatara and had already established itself as an important port. The Qataris also helped in forming the first naval fleet, that was created to transport the army during the Islamic conquests. Qatar experienced economic prosperity in the 14th century, as the inscriptions found in the Murwab Fort on the west coast of Qatar indicate. foreign occupation /// Over the course of history, Qatar was ruled and invaded by different foreign people, with each having its own role to play. During the 16th century an alliance was established with the Turks in order to drive out the Portuguese; over the following four centuries, the Ottoman Empire was the only entity ruling both the western and eastern sides of the peninsula. Interestingly, the

central part, Nejd, was never occupied nor governed by anyone. al thani family /// The beginning of the rule of the Al Thani family goes back to the 18th century. Part of the Bani Tamim tribe that had first settled south of the peninsula, they settled in Zubara and in the mid19th century moved to Al Bida (today known as Doha, the capital of Qatar). Sheikh Mohammed Bin Thani was the first Sheikh to rule over Qatar, and his importance was recognized in 1868 by British Colonel Lewis Pelly, who imposed a settlement between Bahrain and Qatar in order to end the hostilities between the two regions. In 1878 Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed succeeded his father. On July 7, 1895, a British warship named Sphinx arrived at Zubara. Sultan Bin Mohammed, chief of the Ali Bin Ali tribe, had settled in Zubara from Bahrain. Qatar was then under Ottomans sovereignty, a regime that opposed Sheikh Isa, the chief of Bahrain. Two men got off the Sphinx carrying a warning letter, which they managed to deliver to the house of Sultan Bin Mohammed, despite the interception of two Ottoman soldiers. However, Sultan Bin Mohammed dismissed the letter. In retaliation, the following day, the Sphinx captured eight pearl diving boats that belonged to the Ali Bin Ali tribe. This incident posed a threat to both the British and Sheikh Isa. For two weeks the opposing sides kept capturing each others pearl fishing boats, which were of primary importance as they provided income for the tribes in the area. This aggression on their livelihood was interpreted as a direct attack on their well-being and lifestyle. Sheikh Jassim, the well respected chief of Qatar, travelled to Zubara to join Sultan Bin Mohammed. At the same time the Ottomans had sent Zuhaf, a special armed ship to Qatar. These actions signalled to the British that an attack was becoming imminent. towards indEpEndEncE Although Britain had already signed a protection treaty with Qatar and the Trucial States known as the United Arab Emirates, this did not help. On September 7, 1895, the Sphinx and another warship named Pigeon attacked Zubara. Zuhaf had unfortunately already left the area and the damages were immense. Despite varying reports, it is believed that at least 44

NatioNal aNthem of the state of qatar

The national anthem of a country represents the foundation the country was built on. It is a crucial element in order to understand better the culture of what is soon to become ones new home. Swearing by God who upraised the sky, Swearing by God who spread the light, Qatar will always be free, Elevated by the spirits of the loyal. Follow the path of the ancestors, And the prophets guidance. In my heart, Qatar is an epic of dignity and glory. Qatar is the land of the forefathers, Our protectors at the time of war, Doves at the time of peace, And hawks at the time of sacrifice.
Translation from Amiri Diwan at www.diwan.gov.qa/english/qatar/anthem.htm

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History

boats were destroyed. People left the town and moved into the desert. The story somewhat changed at this point. It is alleged that Sheikh Jassim ended up switching sides. He told the British that he never intended to invade Bahrain and asked for their protection over Qatar. The British refused to abide by that demand; they however agreed to place a political agent in Bahrain to oversee Ottoman action in Qatar, but not before burning all the captured Qatari pearl boats. This had major ramifications as the Qataris main source of income at the time was pearl diving. The battle of Zubara was of major importance to the British as they were trying to secure their commercial and military connections to India. Qatar and Bahrains geographical positions in the Gulf were in fact becoming strategically valuable to many such as the Portuguese, the Iranians and the Wahhabi tribes as they constituted a major link for trade routes between India and Europe. The destruction at Zubara made it clear to Sheikh Jassim that the Ottomans would not be offering any assistance to Qatar. He was proven right, as the Ottomans did not intervene, yet again, when three Doha port in the old days

years later Kuwaitis raided cattle from a tribe he had protected. This last incident was the perfect opportunity for Sheikh Jassim to head, in 1898, a small uprising against a tribe at Al Bida fort, an area on the east coast dominated by the Ottomans since 1871. Thus the struggles of the Qataris against the Ottomans began. The British were determined to preserve their investments in the region and in 1900 the first political British agent was appointed in Bahrain while the Ottomans made sure to reinforce their already existing troops. Sheikh Jassim, on the other hand, was seeking protection for Qatar through the help of the British (in exchange he would make sure that the seas would be defended again), but the British were not keen. By the end of 1902, the Ottomans had set up three units throughout Qatar in Zubara, Wakra, and Khor al-Udeid. The Ottomans knew there was no other foreign assistance in Qatar and their main goal was to get the Al Thani family out. the anglo-qatari treaty /// Although the British knew that the Al Thani family was a stabilizing force over the local Bedouins and the pearl fishing

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History

Snapshots of the past: the city, weaving nets, old architecture, souk

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History

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History

rulers of qatar
Mohammed bin Thani Qassim bin Mohammed Abdullah bin Qassim Hamad bin Abdullah Ali Bin Abdullah Ahmed bin Ali bin Abdullah Khalifa bin Hamad Hamad bin Khalifa 1850-1878 1878-1913 1913-1949 1940-1948 1949-1960 1960-1972 1972-1995 1995-present

The Al Thani family is part of the Tamim tribe, whose name comes from Thani bin Mohammed, the father of the first Al Thani ruler of Qatar. tribes, it was only in 1916, after heavy debate among the British colonialists in Britain, India and the Gulf, that the Anglo-Qatari treaty was signed to maximize the protection over Qatar. The other concern of the British was that at the end of 1899 the German Ambassador to Constantinople managed to convince the Ottomans to build a railroad to Baghdad. This project was pushed through the system by Sultan Abdul Hamid II who commissioned a study to stretch the line to a harbour in the Arabian Gulf. Kadhamah in Kuwait was the suggested location on their bay, and it was the best harbour in the Gulf and an amazing military base location for the future. Using diplomatic excuses, the British delayed any works on the project until 1907, when they decided to join the railways consortium and took on the role of protector in the Gulf, with special attention on Kuwait and Qatar. Complications followed as in return the Higher Court System of the Ottoman Empire (the Sublime Porte) expected Britains approval of Kuwait being a fully integrated part of the Ottoman Empire. All of the sudden, the issues of the whole region were in question. An agreement had to be reached between Britain and the Ottoman Empire on the railways consortium, the state of Kuwait, the Trucial States, Bahrain and Qatar. By July 1912, following lengthy talks back and forth, the British stated they would abandon any stake in the railway consortium as long as it did not go beyond Basra, Iraq, and they acquired concessions on Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. Early in 1913, the Ottomans agreed to withdraw from Al Bida as long as Qatar remained independent.

the british protectorate /// The British power was quite strong in the Arabian Gulf as the routes to India had already been secured. In the 18th and 19th centuries the bombardment of the East India Company and the troubles caused by Bahraini forces compelled retaliation on the part of Qatar. The British influence increased with the end of the Turkish regime at the end of World War I, and the signing of a protection treaty limited to general administrative matters. Negotiations resumed regarding the treaty, however Qatars Sheikh Jassim proved to be a tough negotiator by avoiding three sensitive chapters (on the presence of a political agent and British merchants, the duties imposed on British goods, and the building of telegraph networks and post). The British agreed to offer protection to the Sheikhs offices in the event of a land attack on Qatar, which made it the first among the Trucial States to benefit from this privilege (Qatar was the ninth and last state to join the Trucial States). Sheikh Jassims firmness set the ground for Qatars importance locally as well as internationally. the anglo-ottoman convention /// By July 12, 1913, the Anglo-Ottoman Convention was signed. This was done without Sheikh Jassims knowledge, as he died of old age within five days of the signing, after having fought hard for it for a long time. The signing from the Qatari side was thus delayed, and the document was never officially formalized until November 3, 1916. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jasim Al Thani, Sheikh Jassims son, took over after his fathers death in 1913. By 1914, World War I had broken out and the Ottomans sided with the Germans. The British were concerned that the Saudis would work on occupying Qatar and control the trading of arms in the region (the other force in the region that emerged at the time was the Wahhabis in east Arabia). By 1915, the Ottomans deserted Al Bida and the British gave it to the Sheikh of Qatar. oilfields /// Qatar was sticking to their alliance with the British as Abdullah, the grandson of Mohammed Al Thani, secured the safety of his state in 1916 by providing the British with an exclusive promise to stay away from foreign powers and slave-trade. However, the powerful and unexpected discovery of oilfields in 1932 in Bahrain turned to have an enormous

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