Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani (1850 - 1878)

Sheikh Mohammed was the first Al-Thani to settle in Doha and by his courage and piety he drew other tribes and people to the area which he controlled.

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Sheikh Qassim bin Mohammed Al- Thani (1878 - 1913)

The son of Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikh Qassim is considered the founder of the Emirate of Qatar and is referred to as such in the Ottoman archives in Istanbul.

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Sheikh Abdullah bin Qassim Al-Thani (1913 - 1949)

The son of Sheikh Qassim, Sheikh Abdullah assumed leadership during the last years of his father's life. During his reign, the Turks left Qatar, a treaty of protection was signed with Britain, and oil was first discovered and exported.

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Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Thani (1940 - 1948)

The son of Sheikh Abdullah, Sheikh Hamad was designated Heir Apparent during his father's reign and often represented his father as ruler of Qatar. He died during his father's lifetime and, one year after his death, his father abdicated in favour of another son who ruled from 1949 to 1960.

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Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al-Thani (1949 - 1960)

Another son of Sheikh Abdullah, Sheikh Ali became Emir after the deaths of his father and brother, Sheikh Hamad. During his reign, oil production increased greatly and the country moved inexorably into the modern world. Sheikh Ali abdicated in 1960 and handed over to his son, Sheikh Ahmed.

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Sheikh Ahmed bin Ali bin Abdullah Al-Thani (1960 - 1972)

The son of Sheikh Ali, Sheikh Ahmed took over when his father abdicated in 1960. He ruled until 1972 when his cousin, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad, assumed the Emirship with the full support of the ruling family and the people of Qatar.

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Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Thani (1972 - 1995)

The son of Sheikh Hamad (1940-1948) and the grandson of Sheikh Abdullah (1913-1949), Sheikh Khalifa became the first Qatari Minister of Education in 1957. In 1971 Sheikh Khalifa declared Qatar an independent state and on 22 February 1972, supported by the ruling family and the people, he became Emir of Qatar. It was during his reign that the modern state of Qatar took its place in the world.

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Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani (from 1995)

The son of Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Hamad took power with the support and approval of the ruling family and the Qatari people in early 1995.




Related Links

The Amiri Diwan
Website of Qatar's ruler, HH Hammmad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. In English and Arabic
 
Official Site of Her Highness Sh. Mozah Bint Nasser
Website of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned is the wife of His Highness the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani. Fully committed to her husband's vision of Qatar as a prosperous, confident and sustainable society, Sheikha Mozah works to promote the development of Qatar and the wellbeing of its people.

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