How well do you know 'The Founder of Qatar?'

Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammad Al Thani, better known as “the founder of the State of Qatar”, was a man with sound knowledge; it is this knowledge and his untiring efforts that were instrumental in laying the foundations of the modern State of Qatar despite conflicts and instability that arose as a result of competition among the colonial powers during the time.

Sheikh Jassim, was born sometime in 1825 (the exact date is not known), and brought up in Fuwayrit. He was the eldest son of Mohammad bin Thani and a descendant of the prestigious Tamim tribe. He was educated by religious scholars. He also learned how to hunt and ride a horse, and was interested in literature.

From an early age, Sheikh Jassim was interested in politics and served as his father’s deputy, gaining him valuable political experience. At the age of 21, he moved to Al Bidda taking his father with him, where he become a leader among his peers. Sheikh Jassim was instrumental in making a number of changes in the governance and policies of the country, and steered the country towards prosperity.

He was a true leader as well as a brave knight and saw his country through conflicts with Bahrain, the Ottomans and the British, and won the famous Al Wajba Battle in 1893. This battle provided the foundations of the modern state of Qatar.

Sheikh Jassim’s sole purpose in life was to preserve the dignity and sanctity of his country. On December 18, 1878, after his persistent efforts to rid Qatar of tyranny and oppression, Sheikh Jassim took power of the country, and the modern state of Qatar was born. All the tribes united under his leadership, Qatar became an independent stable entity with a secure border. He was a wise, just and generous leader and won the hearts of the Qatari people with his good governance.

Photo credit: Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim Al Thani: A Leader’s Legacy website

Under Sheikh Jassim’s patronage, Qatar flourished and its strategic location in the Arabian Peninsula opened up doors to trade and business opportunities. This helped Qatar attain new heights in growth and development. One of the major businesses of that time was pearl diving. Qatar not only excelled in this business, it became one of the world’s biggest exporters of pearls.

Sheikh Jassim was a pious man with strong religious beliefs. He would often lead the Friday prayers and captured the heart of the people through his mesmerizing sermons. He was also renowned for his just attitude and settled disputes fairly. Despite being honored by the title of “the father of the nation”, he was a simple man.

Sheikh Jassim passed away on July 17, 1913 and Qatar lost a great visionary leader. He was buried in the Lusail village.

Sheikh Jassim may be gone, but his legacy continues. Today, Qatar is flourishing and one of the richest countries in the world; we owe it all to Sheikh Jassim and all the leaders that followed.