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Know Qatar Better

Overview

3.1

Know Your Qatar better:

a. Qatar has been ruled by the ‘House of Al Thani’ for over 150 years.

b. The flag of Qatar is unique as it is the only flag in the world that has a width more than twice the size of its height. The flag of Qatar is white and maroon with a serrated vertical divide. White colour stands for peace and the Maroon colour signifies the country’s role in the purple dye industry on ‘Al Khor’ islands while the nine serrated edges signify Qatar’s inclusion as the 9th member pf the reconciled emirates of the Persian Gulf at the conclusion of Qatar – British treaty of 1916.

c. When measured by GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity ‘PPP’, Qatar is the richest country in the Middle East and the world’s third richest.

d. Qatar is the second flattest country in the world with its highest point lying at just 338 feet. Only the Maldives is flatter with a high point of six feet.

e. According to ‘Numbeo’s Crime Index by city 2021’, Doha was placed at #2 in terms of safety and low crime rate in 431 cities covered in the report making it one of the safest cities in the world. Qatar has won this accolade earlier in 2017 and 2019 as well.

f. The national carrier Qatar Airways has been consistently voted over the years one of the best airlines in the world based on key factors like operational safety, passenger reviews, fleet age, product offering, profitability and investment rating. Qatar airways recently became the first global airline in the world to achieve the prestigious 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating by International Air Transport Rating Organization ‘Skytrax’.

g. According to ‘World Risk report’ compiled by United Nations Qatar is the country least at risk of experiencing natural disasters.

h. According to Skytrax 2019-2020 World Airport Survey ‘Hamad International Airport Doha – HIA’ has been voted the best airport in Middle East and the 3rd best airport in the world. It has also been described as the most architecturally significant terminal complex in the world as well as being one of the most luxurious airports. ‘HIA’ is the first and only airport in the Middle East and Asia to be awarded a ‘Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating’.

Overview (Contd.)

i. The Pearl-Qatar is an artificial island in Doha shaped to resemble a string of pearls in reference to Qatar’s history of pearl diving.

j. Qatar has one UNESCO World Heritage site, the ‘Al Zubarah’ archaeological site and in 18th and early 19th centuries it was a flourishing pearling and trading centre.

k. ‘Machboos’, a rich and flavoursome rice dish cooked with meat, onion, tomatoes and aromatic spices is the national dish of Qatar and a must try when in Doha.

l. The national bird of Qatar is the falcon.

m. As of 2019 World Bank report, Qatar as a country has one of the world’s most urbanized population with 99% of Qataris living in Doha, its capital.

n. The Arabian Oryx is the national animal of Qatar and it is also the Qatar Airways logo and was also the mascot for the 2006 Asian games held in Doha.

o. ‘Khor Al Adaid’ or the inland sea has been declared a nature reserve since 2007 and is one of the rare places in the world where the sea meets the desert.

p. Falconry is an important sport and pastime in Qatar. There is a dedicated Falcon souq in Doha where birds are sold along with falconry paraphernalia such as hoods, leather gauntlets and hunting pouches and there is a falcon hospital too.

q. Qatar will become the first middle eastern country to host the FIFA football world cup when it hosts the 2022 competition.

A Brief History of Qatar

3.2

Ancient:

Human occupation of Qatar can be traced back as far as 4th century B.C. Archaeological expeditions carried out by Danish (1965), British (1973) and French (1976) at digs at ‘Al Wasil Hills, Umm Bab, Umm Tag to the south west of Dukhan and sites discovered south east of Mesaieed’ have brought to fore stone age encampments and many artifacts such as inscriptions, rock carvings, flint spearheads, pottery shards and flint tools which shed light on that era. Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq) was the first civilization to have a presence in the area as evidenced from the coastal encampments. In 5th century B.C. the Greek historian Herodotus referred to the seafaring Canaanites as the original inhabitants of Qatar and geographer Ptolemy showed in his map of the Arab world ‘Gatara’ as believed to refer to the Qatari town of ‘Zubarah’ which was an important trading port in the Gulf region at the time. Later the peninsula became the domain of several empires namely ‘Seleucid, Parthians and Sasanians

Advent of Islam:

Islam spread over the entire Arabian region in the 7th century. In 628 A.D. Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H.) sent his envoy ‘Al-Ala’a Al Hadrami to Munzir ibn Sawa Al-Tamimi’, the ruler of the region inviting him to accept Islam which he accepted and majority of the inhabitants of the region became Muslims heralding the beginning of the Islamic era in Qatar.

Medieval and Modern Timeline of Qatar:

1681

Earliest documented mention of ‘Al Bidda’ now part of Doha.

1820s

Doha founded as an offshoot of ‘Al Bidda’.

1823

Doha as a settlement is mapped for the first time.

1848

Al Thani family migrated to Doha.

1852

Economic blockade placed on Doha by the ‘Al Khalifa’ the rulers of Bahrain.

1867

Doha sacked during Qatari-Bahraini war.

1868

A treaty was signed between Mohamed bin Thani and British setting the course both for Qatar’s future independence and for the rule of ‘Al Thani’ family.

1871

Doha was occupied by Ottomans.

1910

‘Barzan’ towers part of the defensive system established at the end of 19th century had multi-faceted use to watch against Turks, safeguard precious rainwater of ‘Rawdat valley’ and sighting of moon during Ramadan. These watchtowers were renovated by Sheikh Mohamed bin Jasim Al Thani in this year.

1916

Britain signed a treaty with Qatar giving Britain control over foreign policy in return for British protection.

A Brief History of Qatar (Contd.)

1927

‘Al Khor’ fort was built.

1935

Qatar signed a concession agreement with Iraq Petroleum company for prospecting for oil.

1964

Qatar National Bank, the first commercial bank and country’s largest bank was established.

1968

British government decided to withdraw from the gulf region.

1971

On 3rd September 1971 Qatar became independent.

1972

‘Amiri Diwan’ was built. It represents the figurative and bureaucratic centre of Qatar.

1973

Qatar University opened in Doha.

1975

Qatar National Museum opened in the ‘Fariq Al-Salata Palace’.

1981

Qatar became a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). An alliance formed to promote economic cooperation and enhance internal security and external defence of the region.

1982

The 15-storey Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel opened.

1995

FIFA World Youth Championship was hosted in Doha.

A Brief History of Qatar (Contd.)

1996

a) ‘Al Jazeera’ television began broadcasting.

b) Doha Golf Club opened.

2000

a) Ritz Carlton Hotel Doha opened.

b) Landmark Mall Doha opened.

2003

ASPIRE Zone also known as Doha Sports city opened.

2005

Four Seasons Doha opened.

2006

a) Asia Games were held in Doha.

b) Sharq Village & Spa, A Ritz Carlton hotel opened in Doha.

c) Villaggio Mall opened.

2007

a) Millennium Hotel Doha opened.

b) Movenpick Hotel West Bay Doha opened.

2008

a) Museum of Islamic Art Doha opened.

b) Souq Wakif reconstructed.

2009

Doha Tribeca Film Festival held.

2010

a) The ‘Mathaf’ – Arab Museum of Modern Art opened.

b) Katara Cultural Village opened.

2011

Pan Arab Games were held.

2012

a) The St. Regis Doha opened.

b) Hilton Doha opened.

2014

New Hamad International Airport (HIA) began operations.

2015

Banana Island Resort Doha By Anantara opened.

2017

Mondrian Doha opened.

2019

a) Al Messila, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa opened

b) Mandarin Oriental Doha opened

c) Centara West Bay Residences & Suites opened

d) Dusit Doha opened

e) Park Hyatt Doha opened

2020

Hilton Doha The Pearl hotel opened.

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Overview

Overview (Contd.)

A Brief History of Qatar

A Brief History of Qatar (Contd.)

A Brief History of Qatar (Contd.)

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