STATE OF QATAR AND UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

State of Qatar United Arab Emirates

Capital: Doha Capital: Abu Dhabi
Official language: Arabic Official language: Arabic
Religion: Islam (Sunni 77.5%, Shi’a), Religion: Islam (Sunni 85%, Shi’a),
Christianity, other Christianity, other
Currency: Qatari Riyal Currency: Emirati Dirham

THESIS STATEMENT:

I. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
A. HISTORY OF QATAR AND UNITED ARAB EMIRATES UNDER BRITISH
PROTECTORATE

1. Early Beginnings

a. The Al Khalifa imposed authority over mainland Qatar

i. After their settlement in Kuwait, they moved to the

northwestern tip of the Qatar peninsula and established
fishing and pearling settlement at Zubarah.
b. Initial contacts of Britain with the Qatari family, Al Thani
i. In the latter part of the nineteenth century, the Al Thani
clan asserted its claim in Qatar.
ii. In 1916, Qatar became a British protectorate and Abdullah
bin Jassim Al Thani signed a treaty which Britain controls
Qatar’s external affairs in return for guaranteeing its
protection.
c. The Bani Yas Tribe
 i. They found fresh water in Abu Dhabi and they were the first
one who settled in the island.
ii. Composed of two branches: Al Bu Falahi and the Al Bu
Falasah who were the ruling family in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
iii. The tribe has been led by their rulers, the Al Nahyan, who had
their headquarters in Al Dhafra and now in Abu Dhabi.
iv. The ruling family of the United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi,
Al Nahyan, which is a branch of Al Falahi, which belongs to
and rules the tribe, as do the emirs of Dubai, Al Maktoum,
which is a branch of Al Falasi.

2. British Occupation

a. Trucial States were under informal protectorate by Great Britain.

i. A treaty signed between the shayks and the British. The
region is given the name of “Trucial Coast”. The treaty
involved a maritime truce, and British assistance to
cooperate between the shayks.
ii. The Trucial State consisted of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah,
Ras al-Khaimah, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ajman and Fujairah.
iii. Also, the discovery of oil in 1931 which led Bahrain and
Qatar to join in the Trucial States.

3. An Attempt to form the Federation

a. At first, Britain tried to promote creation of a federation that would

include the Trucial States plus Bahrain and Qatar because of the
following reasons:
i. Economic Crisis – The British currency had been significantly
devalued, this plan was one of several measures designed to
drastically cut government expenditure.
 ii. Extreme poverty – Only Abu Dhabi and Dubai had any
considerable source of income. With this federation, Abu
Dhabi, with its enormous oil-wealth would have to play a
central role by providing the other Trucial States with the
necessary financial resources for their physical development.

b. The obstacles towards federation

i. The ruler of Abu Dhabi, Shaikh Shakbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan,

who was strongly opposed to share his wealth with the other
six shaykhdoms, let alone forming a federation with them.
ii. A new problem was the tense and competitive relationship
between the Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the new ruler
of Abu Dhabi and Shaikh Rashid bin Said Al Maktoum, ruler
of Dubai.

4. Independence and the formation of the Federation

a. Britain announces that it will withdraw its forces from the Gulf and
allow the Trucial States full independence by 1971.
i. The British government had no formal right to impose a
federation on the Trucial States. It could only use its informal
political influence on the local rulers to convince them of the
benefits of cooperating with their neighbors.
b. After independence from Britain, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujayrah,
Sharjah and Umm al-Qaywayn come together as the United Arab
Emirates. Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan presides over the
federation.
i. Shaikh Zayed assume Shaikh Shakbut’s position in August
1966 and became the new ruler of Abu Dhabi.
ii. Shaikh Zayed took the initiative by overcoming his differences
with Shaikh Rashid bin Said Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai in
 order to set a concrete federation process in motion. The result
of this process was the proclamation of union on December 2,
1971.
iii. Qatar and Bahrain were invited to join the federation but both
eventually decided on independence.

II. POLITICAL DYNAMICS AND POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF QATAR AND

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
A. RULING FAMILIES TAKES POWER IN BOTH COUNTRIES
1. Al Thani Regime of Qatar
a. In 1972, Shaykh Khalifah bin Hamad Al Thani gained power in a palace
coup by seizing power from his cousin.
i. Shaykh Khalifah became the Emir of Qatar in February 1972
by deposing his cousin Shaykh Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani,
whose profligate spending habits had aroused popular
opposition.
b. In 1995, Shaykh Khalifah deposed by his son, Shaykh Hamad bin
Khalifah Al Thani, in a bloodless coup.
i. Under the rule of his father Shaykh Khalifah, Hamad was
appointed to the rank of Major General and appointed
Commander in Chief of the Qatari Armed Forces.
ii. Throughout the 1980s, Hamad held various government
positions, effectively managing Qatar’s affairs and financial
matters. In 1992, he took over the day-to-day running of the
country from his father.
iii. On June 27, 1995, Hamad saw his chance to claim complete
power however, waiting for his father to leave the country on a
visit to Switzerland before deposing him in a bloodless coup.
iv. Hamad overthrew him because Khalifah had opposed the more
liberal domestic and foreign policies that Hamad favored.
c. Hamad had instituted a number of policies that transformed the country.
 i. He decided to create a new parliament constitution, a national
assembly whose members would be directly elected. It was the
first direct elections in Qatar’s history and in any Arab Gulf
state in which women could vote and run for office.
ii. After taking power, Hamad revoked censorship of the press
and abolished the post of minister of information and culture.
1. In 1996, Al-Jazeera satellite TV launches as an
independent channel funded by the Emir. Based in
Qatar but broadcasting to the whole Arab world, it
establishes a reputation for its news coverage and
willingness to tackle controversial issues.

2. Ruling families in UAE

a. Shaykh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan

i. He has been the President of the UAE after the independence.
Zayed realized that for Abu Dhabi to prosper, it would need to
cooperate with its tribal neighbors. His first step was to meet the
six emirs.
ii. He was a successful leader because of the contributions that he
brought to the country/
b. Shaykh Rashid of Dubai
i. He worked to develop the economy of Dubai so that it could
survive after the end of oil production and was the driving force
behind a number of major infrastructure projects to promote
Dubai as a regional hub for trade.
c. Shaykh Maktoum
i. He is also known as Shaykh Mohammed, the Vice President and
Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of Dubai.
ii. He is responsible for the growth of Dubai into a global city, as
well as the launch of a number of major enterprises including
Emirates Airline, DP World and the Jumeirah Group.
B. POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF QATAR AND UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
1. The United Arab Emirates Constitution was promulgated in1971 while the
Constitution of Qatar was promulgated in 1972.
a. The Type of Government in Qatar is Unitary Parliamentary
Constitutional Monarchy while United Arab Emirate Government is
Federal Presidential Elected Monarchy.
b. Federal Supreme Council
i. The highest authority in the UAE.
ii. Consists of the rulers of all member Emirates of the UAE.
iii. Approves the appointment, resignation and dismissal of the
President, Prime Minister and Judges of the Federal Supreme
Council.
iv. Ratifies federal laws and decrees.

2. Executive Branch
a. The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani and the
President of Abu Dhabi (UAE), Khalifa bin Zayid Al Nahyan both
function as the heads of state.
i. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani
1. He represents the state in all internal and external
affairs. He is responsible for the developing state policy
in consultation with the council of ministers.
2. The Emir can also establish other consultative bodies to
aid him in developing and implementing state policy.
The constitution gives the Emir the right to call for a
referendum on important issues in the interest of the
State, the results of which are binding.
ii. Khalifa bin Zayid Al Nahyan
1. Head of the Supreme Council and manage its
discussions.
 2. He is entrusted with signing laws, decrees and decisions
approved and sanctioned by Supreme Council.

b. Both their cabinets are called Council of Ministers. The heads of the
government are the Prime Minister, appointed by the head of state.
i. Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani of Qatar
1. High control of the financial and administrative system
of the government.
2. Proposal of draft laws and decrees and submission of
the same to Al-Shoura Council for debates. If such
proposed laws are approved by the Advisory council,
they shall be referred to the Emir for ratification and
promulgation in accordance with the provisions of the
constitution.
ii. Muhammad bin Rashid Al-Maktum of Dubai
1. Nominated by the President with the approval of the
Supreme Council.
2. Initiate federal bills and submit them to the Federal
National Council before they are sent to the President
for forwarding them to the Supreme Council for
approval.

3. Legislative Branch
a. Both of their law making body is unicameral.
i. Majlis Al Shoura Council or the Advisory Council
1. The Advisory Council has limited legislative authority
to draft and approve laws, but the Emir has final say on
all matters.
2. It is composed of 45 seats; 15 members appointed by
the Emir and the 30 members are elected by popular
voting.
 ii. Majlis al- Ittihad al-Watani or the Federal National
Council
1. Examines constitutional amendments and draft laws
which may be approved, amended or rejected.
2. It is composed of 40 members; 20 of whom are
appointed by the rulers of the seven emirates to serve
two year terms, while the other 20 are elected by a
special consistency of 7,000 persons selected by local
governments.

4. Judicial Branch
a. The legal system of Qatar and UAE is based primarily on Shari’a Law.
i. Judiciary Supreme Court
1. Court of Cassation has chambers to decide on cases of
objection for cassation on ruling and proceedings of the
law.
2. Court of Appeal is responsible for deciding on the appeals
field against the sentences issued on doctrinal provisions,
punishments, criminal, civil and commercial cases;
personal affairs, inheritance, administrative disputes and
other cases.
3. Preliminary Court has chambers to decide on doctrinal
provisions, punishments, criminal, civil and commercial,
personal affairs, inheritance, administrative disputes and
other cases.
ii. Federal Supreme Court
1. Comprises of five judges appointed by the Supreme
Council. The judges decide on the constitutionality of
federal laws and arbitrates on inter-emirate disputes
between the Federal Government and the emirates.
 2. Courts of First Instance, the lowest courts located in each
of the emirates. A court that hears civil and criminal cases.

III. ECONOMY AND FOREIGN RELATIONS OF QATAR AND UNITED ARAB

EMIRATES
A. ECONOMIES OF QATAR AND UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
1. Dependence on oil
a. Principal engine of their economies is the oil and gas sector.
b. Oil revenues gave both countries substantial income and high standard of
living.

2. Economic policies also focus on developing non-oil sectors.

a. Increased on job creation, facilities and infrastructure expansion.

b. Worked to diversify their economies so as to avoid excessive dependence
on oil production but also focus on non-oil sectors such as the tourism
sector.

B. FOREIGN RELATIONS OF QATAR AND UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

1. Diplomatic ties of Qatar and UAE with other states
a. Iran
i. Qatar and UAE’s relations with Iran have close economic ties,
particularly in the oil and gas industries.
ii. However, UAE and Iran were involved in territorial disputes
over the islands in the Persian Gulf. Disputes were resolved by
an agreement in 1971 that the islands will be jointly
administered by the said states.
b. Saudi Arabia
i. Qatar-Saudi Arabia border dispute, essentially resolved in
1996, was concluded with final demarcation of the border.
ii. UAE and Saudi Arabia’s relations are becoming increasingly
tense due to the disagreement between the two countries over
 the regional issues and particularly over the rapidly unfolding
events in Yemen.
c. United States
i. Both countries had a close military cooperation with the U.S.
which can be traced back in 1992, wherein Qatar and UAE
signed a security pact and in 1995, Qatar signed an agreement
giving the U.S. permission to preposition military equipment
on its territory.

2. Qatar-UAE relations
a. The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain were against Shaikh Hamad bin
Khalifa Al Thani after deposing his father in 1995.
b. In 2014, the three states withdrew their ambassador from Qatar due to
alleged failure by Qatar to abide by an agreement not to interfere in the
politics of these countries and,
c. Qatar continued to back the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Qatar’s
emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani denounced el-Sisi’s election as
president in June 2014 as a military coup.
d. The ambassadors returned to their posts.