Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani facts for kids

Styles of The Emir of Qatar
Reference style	His Highness
Spoken style	Your Highness
Alternative style	Sheikh

Sheikh Ahmad bin Ali bin Abdullah bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani (Arabic: أحمد بن علي بن عبد الله بن جاسم بن محمد آل ثاني; 1922 – 25 November 1977) was the Emir (ruler) of Qatar. He ruled Qatar from 1960 to 1972. During his time as Emir, Qatar's money situation got much better. This was because new oil fields were found and started producing oil.

Qatar also became an independent country in September 1971 while he was in charge. In February 1972, his cousin, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, took over the rule of Qatar.

Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani's Life

Early Life and Becoming Ruler

Sheikh Ahmad was born in Doha, the capital city of Qatar, in 1922. He was the second son of Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al Thani. He had many brothers and sisters.

He became the ruler of Qatar on 24 October 1960. His father, Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al Thani, decided to step down and let him take the throne. Sheikh Ahmad then led Qatar through its final years as a dependent territory. He oversaw the nation's independence from Great Britain in 1971.

Sheikh Ahmad also attended important events, like the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in London in 1953. On the same day he became ruler, his cousin Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani was named the next in line to rule and his deputy.

Changes in Leadership

On 22 February 1972, Sheikh Khalifa took over the government from Sheikh Ahmad. This happened without any fighting. At that time, Sheikh Ahmad was away on a hunting trip in Iran. After this change, Sheikh Ahmad chose to live outside Qatar in Dubai. He lived there with his wife, who was the daughter of the ruler of Dubai, and his children.

Achievements During His Rule

Economic Growth with Oil

Sheikh Ahmad's time as ruler saw a lot of economic growth in Qatar. This was mainly because many new oil fields were found. In January 1964, the Idd al-Shargi field started producing oil. This was the first offshore oil field in the world to be fully operated from the sea.

Also, in 1963, a bigger oil field called Maydan Mahzam was discovered. In 1965, a place to load oil onto ships was built on Halul Island. The Bul Hannien field started being explored in 1965 and began producing oil in 1977.

As the oil economy grew, Qatar quickly started using a modern way of running the government. Sheikh Ahmad created the Ministry of Finance in November 1960. Sheikh Khalifa, who was the next in line to rule, became the first Minister of Finance. After that, Sheikh Ahmad set up the Department of General Financial and Administration. This department handled all government money and management matters. Later, in 1967, the Department of Civil Service was also created.

Qatar Becomes Independent

Step by step, Qatar's government became more organized, and the country moved towards independence. In January 1968, the British government announced they would leave the Middle East. This meant their protection agreements with the Gulf rulers would end. When the Gulf states could not form a group together, Qatar decided to form its own government.

On 2 April 1970, Qatar's first temporary constitution was announced. The country's first Council of Ministers (like a cabinet of government leaders) was formed on 28 May 1970. Finally, Qatar declared its independence as a sovereign country on 3 September 1971. This ended the old treaty with Britain from 1916.

Family Life

Sheikh Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani was married three times. One of his wives was Hassa bint Hamad Al Thani. Another wife was the daughter of Sheikh Rashid bin Said Al Maktum, who was the ruler of Dubai. He had nine children in total: seven sons and two daughters.

• Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Ahmad Al Thani
• Sheikh Nasser bin Ahmad Al Thani
• Sheikh Hamad bin Ahmad Al Thani
• Sheikh Saud bin Ahmad Al Thani
• Sheikha Hessa bint Ahmad Al Thani
• Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmad Al Thani
• Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmad Al Thani
• Sheikha Munira bint Ahmad Al Thani
• Sheikh Mansour bin Ahmad Al Thani

Death

Even though he had made up with his cousin, Sheikh Ahmad chose to stay living outside Qatar. He passed away in London on 25 November 1977. He was receiving treatment for cancer at the time. His body was flown back to Qatar. The ruling family welcomed his body, and he had a formal funeral. The current ruler and the ruling family attended. He was buried in Al Rayyan cemetery, and a three-day period of mourning was announced in Qatar.