The Modern History of Qatar: State-Building & Independence - A Lecture

The Modern History Of Qatar Modern State-building And Preludes To Independence The Reign of Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah, 19491960 Lecture Themes - How and why did the British work to increase their influence over policy in Qatar? - What was the effect of the appointment of the first British political a...

The Modern History Of Qatar Modern State-building And Preludes To Independence The Reign of Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah, 19491960 Lecture Themes - How and why did the British work to increase their influence over policy in Qatar? - What was the effect of the appointment of the first British political agent in Qatar? - What was the role of the British advisor to the Emir in Qatar? - How did the administrative apparatus develop during the reign of Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah? - How did Qatar transform from a traditional emirate into a modern state during this period? Key Transformations During The Reign Of Sheikh Ali Bin Abdullah (1949-1960) Qatar Entered A New Phase Of Its Modern History In The Second Half Of The Twentieth Century. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Qatar's cash flow from revenues increased tremendously due to increased oil production and exports. A British political agent, John Wilton, based in Doha, was appointed in Qatar's modern history for the first time. This meant that Qatar came under direct British protection. A British advisor to the Emir was also appointed for the first time. His name was Philip Plant. This period I witnessed profound transformations in the life of Qatar and the Qatari people. The Qatari society was no longer a community of Bedouins and pearl divers. It changed dramatically, opening up to modern civilization in all aspects of political, administrative, economic, and social life. Qatar started to engage in Arab affairs for the first time, especially during the Suez Canal nationalization in 1956, when Qatari citizens demonstrated support for Egypt. Qataris also became highly concerned with the Palestinian cause. Qatar witnessed an administrative evolution, improving the services provided to citizens and transforming Qatar from a traditional emirate into a modern state or emirate. There was also significant population growth and improved health and education services. Growing British influence in Qatar 1949-1960 British influence grew in Qatar after the appointment of a political agent in 1949. Before this date, Britain relied on its Bahrain-based agent or even his assistant to oversee British interests in Qatar. The mission of the British political agent in Qatar was the following: Manage Qatar's foreign affairs as Britain becomes responsible for managing Qatar's external ties with other countries. This significantly intensified Qatar's connection with Britain. Represent British interests in Qatar. Undertake judicial tasks to try Europeans, Indians, and Pakistanis (banyan merchants). Look after the businesses of British nationals in Qatar. Increasing British Influence After Sheikh Abdullah relinquished power to Sheikh Ali in 1949, Sheikh Ali agreed with the British authorities to implement all treaties signed by his father with Britain (1916-1935) and agreed to the provisions that remained unfulfilled in the 1916 agreement, namely: 1. 2. 3. 4. Appointing a British political agent in Qatar. Britain appointed John Wilton as its first political agent in Qatar in 1949. Opening the Qatari market to British merchants and companies. Establishing mail and telegraph offices in Qatar. Sheikh Ali asked for a British advisor. Britain welcomed the request and immediately appointed Philip Plant as an advisor to the Emir. Plant arrived in Doha in 1950 along with a group of British experts and professionals, including a police chief, managers of water, electricity, public works, and postal services, and engineers to manage telegraph, telephone, and post facilities. Administration of Qatar prior to Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Before Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah, Qatar did not have the structure of a modern state. It was run traditionally with power concentrated in the hands of the ruling Sheikh and senior men of his family. The Sheikh, who ruled with the endorsement of the local influential people, was the legislator, the executive and the judge at the same time. There were no written legislations or laws that determined the ruler's policies. He relied instead on inherited customs and traditions. Although governance relied on the Sheikh's absolute power, the Sheikh still resorted to ad-hoc councils comprising senior dignitaries, tribal elders and scholars to consult with in some public matters relating to the management of the Emirate's affairs. The Sheikh exercised his judicial powers through the appointment of Sharia judges, and maintained justice and policing through his representatives. The ruler customarily appointed a crown price, assigning him some tasks to train him for administration. The rulers did not consider age a criterion in naming the crown prince but rather considered his competence. Administration of Qatar before Sheikh Ali Bin Abdullah Regarding financial administration, there was no clear distinction between the emirate's funds and Sheikh's. Pre-oil annual income came from revenues that the Sheikh collected through taxation, imposed on ships, pearl divers, deckhands and other sailors. Customs duties and other fees that the population paid in exchange for protection. The oil era began in 1949 and changed the situation, as oil revenues became the most important source of income, in addition to customs duties. British authorities asked Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah through the political agent to set up a modern local administration in Qatar, but the Sheikh deferred this matter until oil was exported and its revenues increased. Britain then took advantage of its great influence to pressure the Sheikh into implementing administrative reforms. The goal was to improve the local administration in Qatar and the services provided to the staff of the British oil company undertaking oil extraction. Britain's policy for establishing modern local administration in Qatar Britain planned to develop the Qatari administrative apparatus through: Investing oil revenues in infrastructure and public utility projects, the Sheikh did not pay much attention to such projects then. Differentiating between public and private revenues, and allocating one fourth of income for the financial reserve fund, to finance the country's infrastructure development, and address the crises that may face the country. Using customs duties to collect financial resources by reassigning administration of customs to the British advisor. Thus, customs directors became responsible to the British advisor rather than the Sheikh. The British advisor put pressure on the Sheikh to bring modern management to Qatar, as it was necessary for the development of oil fields. Britain's policy for establishing modern local administration in Qatar Qatar began its transformation from a traditional Sheikhdom to modern administration in 1950 following the beginning of oil exports in 1949 through four basic steps: 1. Establishing a local police force, 2. Drafting a budget, 3. Organizing local administration to create modern living conditions (health and education services, water and electricity, roads and markets), 4. Developing the judicial apparatus and regulating the judiciary. The establishment of the police force in Qatar I: The first step in the organizing the administration was to establish a local police force to maintain law and order. Initially, the Sheikh trusted his men only, and refused British intervention against his men or the riots that some members of his family or his men staged. The Sheikhs of Qatar relied on a special guard called Al Fadawiya, consisting of men from the Bani Hajer and Bani Murra tribes. They were used as a combat force and to maintain security and guard the Sheikh’s person. Al Fadawiya force consisted of up to 400 men. Al Fadawiya force was also used as a combat force to fight the enemy. Initially, the Sheikh did not encourage expanding the police force and continued to rely on his private tribesmen guards. The establishment of the police force in Qatar However, with labor strikes in the oil sector, the Sheikh’s view changed completely and he realized the importance of the police and the need to expand the force. In the early 1950s there were labor strikes because of deteriorating living conditions of Qatari and non-Qatari workers. A state of insecurity in Qatar would have led to the withdrawal of the Shell oil company, which worked in oil exploration in Qatar. This would have created a bad reputation and kept other companies from coming and exploring, and subsequently not paying concession fees. Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah agreed to appoint a British police officer, Ronald Cochrane, as security chief in Qatar in order to institute a modern police force in 1950. Cochrane made significant progress in preparing and training a force of 140 men. These men became the backbone of the police force in Qatar. This force did not include Qataris, as they initially refused recruitment. Instead it consisted of Omanis, Palestinians, and Yemenis. The establishment of the police force in Qatar Shortly after, the force grew to 200 policemen, and included Qataris. By 1953, the number of policemen reached 312 in addition to 4 British officers. The number of civilian staff in the police department also grew. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Qatar had a powerful security force supervised by the British police chief. The force consisted of 1518 personnel, of whom 15 were British officers. The number of Qataris working in the force had also increased. Police stations were established in major areas. The new security services asked all the foreigners in Qatar to register at police stations that started to spread across the country. Every foreigner who failed to obtain a certificate of registration would be asked to leave the country. Financial Regulation And Qatar's First Budget II: Financial regulation: in 1950 it was agreed to differentiate between public and private revenues, and allocate one fourth of income to the financial reserve fund to finance infrastructure and public utility projects. Gradually and under British pressure, the administration grew as Britain paid salaries of facilities' staff from the government's budget and not the oil company. However, British advisor Philip Plant failed to draft a state budget because of his limited administrative and financial experience. As a result, the British authorities and the Qatari government asked Plant to resign. A more experienced financial advisor named Hancock was appointed. Hancock was a British administration employee in Sudan, where he gained significant experience in management. His policy was balanced, moderate and well planned. Financial Regulation And Qatar's First Budget Hancock succeeded in setting Qatar's first budget in 1953. Hancock also designed a new structure for administrative and financial regulation in Qatar. In 1954, Sheikh Ali visited London and the Queen of England awarded him the title "His Highness“ to enhance the friendly relations between the two countries. In order to facilitate financial transactions in Qatar, the Eastern Bank set up a branch in Doha and was inaugurated in 1949 by John Mackenzie. In 1954, the British Bank of the Middle East opened its branch in Qatar. In 1956, a branch of another British bank, Banque Ottomane (Grindlays Bank) opened a branch in Qatar. Talks were also held with British operators of mail, telephone and telegraph services to open offices in Doha in order to upgrade means of communication connecting Doha with the rest of the world. Infrastructure and facilities III: The third phase of administrative regulation after instituting a police force and drafting a budget: The establishment of basic infrastructure, social services and civilian facilities under the supervision of the governments of Qatar and Britain. This opened the door to a flow of British engineers, doctors and experts to Qatar. Because of the small population in Qatar and the need for manpower, Britain convinced Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah of the need to bring foreign workers to work in Qatar. The British also told the Sheikh that he had to stand up to continued family criticism from his Al-Thani cousins. A set of service-based projects were launched: A new and modern Corniche in Doha. A new port and docks in Doha to receive large ships and handle more loading and unloading operations. Development of water and electricity network designs, and the construction of the first seawater desalination plant in Qatar in 1953 to meet the large demand for water and cover the shortage. Infrastructure and facilities The construction of a new hospital in Rumaila, which opened in 1957. Planning to build a new formal school in Doha. A fish, meat, and produce market. Hancock paid particular attention to keeping state accounts properly. Modern administration emerged in the 1950s and was more British than Qatari. It consisted of the British advisor and customs directors. The judiciary departments, education, security, public health, public and municipal works, and transportation were all headed by British directors. British experts and technicians assisted them. This administration was independent of the traditional governing authority. Education in Qatar 1913: Sheikh Abdullah sponsored the Athariya school: religious school more advanced than the existing kuttabs Sheikh Muhammad bin Abd al-Aziz al-Mani’ ran the school, he left for Saudi Arabia in 1938 so the school closed. I947: Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah sponsored the Islah-al-Hamadiya school: curriculum-based school, stayed open for two years. 1951: First modern curriculum-based school in Qatar, Qatar Primary School. Four primary classes, 190 students, Egyptian curriculum. Were considered beginning of the modern education system in Qatar. 1955: National Education Committee established: appointed teachers, established schools, and convinced people to send children to school. The Education and Finance Ministries 1950’s and early 1960’s: there were no government ministries in Qatar. 1957: Education Ministry founded as the first ministry in Qatar Early 1960 (before Sheikh Ali abdicated): Finance Ministry founded, led by Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad