Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani

Abdullah bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani (; 11 February 1880 – 25 April 1957), also known as Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani or Sheikh Abdullah bin Qassim Al Thani, was the Emir of Qatar from 1913 to 1949.

Oil was discovered in Qatar for the first time during his rule.

Biography

Early life and reign

Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani was born in 1880 in Doha, Qatar's capital city, to Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani. He had eighteen siblings, with him being the 5th eldest.

He came to the throne in 1913. Sheikh Abdullah abdicated in 1940 in favour of his second son, crown prince Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani. When Sheikh Hamad died eight years later, Sheikh Abdullah assumed office once again. He stayed in power until 1949, when he passed the reign to his eldest son, Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al Thani.

Contributions

Ottoman Empire and Great Britain era

Great Britain and the Ottoman Empire recognised Sheikh Abdullah and his successors' right to rule over the whole of the Qatari Peninsula. The Ottomans renounced all their rights to Qatar and following the outbreak of the First World War; Sheikh Abdullah forced the Ottomans to abandon Doha on 19 August 1915. He died on 25 April 1957 of natural causes.