Emir of Qatar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Emir of the State of Qatar |
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|---|---|
| أمیر دولة قطر Amir Dawlat Qatar |
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| Incumbent | |
_(cropped).jpg) |
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| Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani since 25 June 2013 |
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| Details | |
| Style | His Highness |
| Heir presumptive | Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani |
| First monarch | Mohammed bin Thani |
| Formation | 1851 |
| Residence | Amiri Diwan |
The Emir of the State of Qatar (Arabic: أمیر دولة قطر) is the ruler and leader of Qatar. The emir is also the top commander of the Armed Forces. They make sure the country's rules, called the Constitution, are followed.
The emir holds the most important position in Qatar. They also play a big role in how Qatar works with other countries around the world. All the emirs are part of the House of Al Thani family. This family comes from a large tribe called the Banu Tamim, which has roots in the Arabian Peninsula. The current ruler is Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who became emir on June 25, 2013.
Contents
Qatar's Rulers: A Look Back
All the emirs of Qatar have been members of the House of Al Thani family. Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani is known as the first ruler. He united the different tribes of the country in 1851.
Becoming Independent
Qatar became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1871. However, Sheikh Mohammed still managed Qatar's daily affairs. Later, in March 1893, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani led his army to victory at the Battle of Al Wajbah. Because of this, he is seen as the founder of the State of Qatar. Even so, Qatar remained part of the Ottoman Empire until July 1913.
The Ottoman military stayed in Qatar until August 1915. After they left, Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani signed an important agreement with Britain on November 3, 1916. Sheikh Abdullah ruled Qatar from 1913 to 1949. He was one of the few leaders who ruled during both World War I and World War II. Qatar's first oil well was drilled in October 1938. Oil was then discovered in Dukhan in January 1940.
Qatar officially became an independent country on September 3, 1971. Since then, the ruler has been called the emir.
How a New Emir is Chosen
Qatar's official rules, set in 2005, state that the role of emir is passed down through the family. Only descendants of Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani can become emir. The specific order of who becomes emir next is decided by the House of Al Thani family.
For example, the previous emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, chose his fourth son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to be the next ruler. This happened on August 5, 2003. His older son, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, had been the chosen successor before. But he decided to give up his right to the throne in favor of Sheikh Tamim.
List of Qatar's Rulers
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani
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1788 – December 1878 (aged 90) |
1851 | 18 December 1878 | Son of Thani bin Mohammed. | Al Thani | |
| Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani
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1825 – 17 July 1913 (aged 87–88) |
18 December 1878 | 17 July 1913 | Son of Mohammed bin Thani. | Al Thani |  |
| Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Thani
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1853 – December 1905 (aged 52) |
1898 | 1905 (killed) (after his brother gave up the throne for him until he was killed) |
Son of Mohammed bin Thani. | Al Thani | |
| Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani
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17 January 1881 – 8 April 1971 (aged 90) | 1913 | 1914 (gave up the throne) (ruled for 10 months) |
Son of Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani. | Al Thani | |
| Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani
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11 February 1880 – 25 April 1957 (aged 77) | 17 July 1914 | 20 August 1949 (gave up the throne) |
Son of Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani. | Al Thani |  |
| Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al Thani
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5 June 1895 – 31 August 1974 (aged 79) | 20 August 1949 | 24 October 1960 (gave up the throne) |
Son of Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani and Mariam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah. | Al Thani |  |
| Sheikh Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani
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1922 – 25 November 1977 (aged 54–55) |
24 October 1960 | 22 February 1972 (removed from power) |
Son of Ali bin Abdullah Al Thani. | Al Thani | |
| Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani
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17 September 1932 – 23 October 2016 (aged 84) | 22 February 1972 | 27 June 1995 (removed from power) |
Nephew of Ali bin Abdullah Al Thani. | Al Thani | |
| Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
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1 January 1952 | 27 June 1995 | 25 June 2013 (gave up the throne) |
Son of Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani and Aisha bint Hamad Al Attiyah. | Al Thani | .jpg) |
| Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
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3 June 1980 | 25 June 2013 | Incumbent | Son of Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Moza bint Nasser. | Al Thani | |
More to Explore
- Deputy Emir of Qatar
- House of Al Thani
- Politics of Qatar
- Prime Minister of Qatar
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Emires de Catar para niños
