Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani

Sheikh Ahmad bin Ali bin Abdullah bin Jassim bin Muhammed Al Thani, (1917 – November 25, 1977) (Arabic: الشيخ أحمد بن علي ال ثاني‎) was the Emir of the State of Qatar through the final years of dependency, presiding over its independence from Britain in 1971. He was born at Doha in 1917 as the 2nd son of Sheikh 'Ali bin 'Abdu'llah Al-Thani. In 1953 he attended, as Prince, the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey. He ascended the throne on his father's abdication on October 24, 1960. On the same date his cousin Shaikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani was appointed as the Heir Apparent and Deputy Ruler. On February 22, 1972 he was deposed in favour of his cousin, Shaikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani. He then lived in exile, and died in London November 25, 1977.

Economical Achievements

Shaikh Ahmad’s rule witnessed the growing economic activities in the country as the result of the discovery of a large number of oil fields in Qatar. At that time, and in January 1964, full-scale production commenced in the Idd al-Shargi field, the first seabed field in the world to be operated entirely as an offshore facility. Moreover, in 1963, the larger field at Maydan Mahzam was discovered and in 1965 an oil terminal was set up on the Island of Halul. Exploration of the Bul Hannien field started in 1965 and production commenced in 1977.

With the growth of oil economy, Qatar moved rapidly towards the introduction of modern administrative system. Shaikh Ahmad established the Ministry of Finance in November 1960 and Shaikh Khalifa, the Heir Apparent and Deputy Ruler at that time, was appointed as the first Minister of Finance. After that Shiaikh Ahmed established The Department of General Financial and Administration in order to handle all governmental affairs of a financial and administrative nature. Then, in 1967, the Department of Civil Service was also set up.

The Independence of Qatar

Gradually the administration of Qatar began to take final shape and the country moved for independence. Following the British Labour Government’s announcement in January 1968, for withdrawal from the East of Suez terminating the Treaties of Protection with the Gulf Rulers and their failure to form a Confederation of the Nine Gulf States, Qatar moved forward for forming a Cabinet. On 2 April 1970, the Provisional Constitution for Qatar was promulgated and the first Council of Ministers of the country was formed on 28 May 1970. The independence of Qatar as a sovereign state terminating the Anglo-Qatari Treaty of 1916 was declared on 3 September 1971.

References

• "Sheikh Ahmad's Biography". Amiri Diwan. http://www.diwan.gov.qa/english/qatar/AhmedBinAli.htm. 

See also

• List of emirs of Qatar