Qatar The Sheik of Qatar The State of Qatar

The rest of the population is scattered among a number of towns and villages including Dukhan, Mesaieed, Al-Wakrah, Al-Khor, Madinat Al-Shamal and other modern residential centres. Islam is the official religion of the State of Qatar and Shari'a (Is-lamic Law) is the principal source of legislation in the country, while Arabic is the official language. The Emir H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al- Thani is the Head of the State. Rule in Qatar is hereditary within the family of Al-Thani. H.H. Sheikh Jassem Bin Hamad Al Thani is Heir Apparent and H.H. Sheikh Abdulla Bin Khalifa Al Thani is Prime Minister.

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The education system in Qatar is well developed. It actually began in the first half of this century with modest private classes for both boys and girls. The policy of education in Qatar constantly reaffirms the State's firm principles of commitment towards free education, equal opportunities and adherence to its own heritage and personality. University education started in the year 1393 H, corresponding to 1973, with two faculties, one for young men and one for young ladies.

Qatar National Museum, as several smaller museums, are owned and managed by the Government and introduce the younger generations as well as visitors to the Qatar of many years ago. In spite of the changes that took place in the world oil market in 1991 as a result of the conditions that prevailed in 1990, notably: the Gulf crisis; the disintegration of the Soviet' Union; increased concern over environment protection; and continued effort by industrial nations to rationalize energy consumption, Qatar's national economy has once again lent proof to the vitality and soundness of its basic structure and ability to stand firm in the face of an unstable world economy.

Since the inauguration of the new oil refinery in 1983 the country has realized self sufficiency in oil products. It is worth mentioning that Qatar has one of the world's three largest gas reserves and LNG export began at the end of the 1996. However, the State has notconfined its aspirations just to that.

It has been following a policy based on the principle of diversifying the sources of national income through expanding industrial and agricultural production bases, developing human resources, assigning a bigger role to the private sector, working to realize a surplus in the balance of payments by increasing imports and decreasing imports, and reducing the State's national budget deficit by applying necessary financial and monetary policies and corrective programmes in order to achieve reasonable growth rates. Qatar's information through its various media is keen on serving Gulf, Arab and Islamic causes, defending and standing by them. The first Qatari radio station opened in June 1968. Ever since that date, Qatar Broadcasting Service has been working persistently to promote and spread the voice of Qatar through the world. Its transmission time exceeds 50 hours a day in Arabic and English, Urdu and French, in addition to Doha Music Radio and the Holy Quran Radio which was established in 1992.

Today, a number of international companies and agencies have begun opening branches in Qatar, aware that it is a profitable and efficient place for their products. Therefore, we could say that the State of Qatar plays an interesting role in the world business economy and specially in the Gulf Market.

Oryx >> The Youth and Sports movement in Qatar had a humble start, made privately in the early 1950's and continued in a small way until the Qatar National Sports Federation was formed in 1961 by an administrative decision, the first of its kind, to organize the establishment of a formal sports organisation, and which heralded a host of other successive decisions, laws and directives. In the late 1970's sports associations were formed to coincide with the Supreme Council for Youth Welfare and Qatar National Committee in 1979, which was the real beginning of the sports movement. Qatar has participated in regional and Arab championships with remarkable attainment. There are now many sports, cultural and scientific clubs.

There are many different kinds of falcons of which the best are: Al-Hurr and Al-Shaheen which each may be worth up to QR. 25,000 or more. By the way, the Bowling Club organised eight international championships, the Volleyball Club six championships and the Squash Club three championships all in 1996. The Horse Race & Equestrian Club will be organising many championships including the Qatar Desert Marathon during the year 1997. Moreover, many championships are going to be organised for Camel Racing, which is one of the traditional sports in the Gulf area.