Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani

Ahmad bin Ali bin Abdullah bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani (; 1922 – 25 November 1977) was the Emir of Qatar who ruled from 1960 to 1972. Qatar's financial status improved significantly during his reign as a result of the enrichment and discovery of several new oil fields. Qatar also became a sovereign state in September 1971 under his rule. He was deposed in February 1972 by his cousin, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani.

Biography Early life and accession Sheikh Ahmad was born in Doha, the capital city of Qatar, in 1922 as the second son of Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al Thani, along with 9 brothers and 3 sisters, although some sources claim that he had 10 brothers instead of 9.

Sheikh Ahmad attended numerous royal coronations, including the coronation of Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in 1953.

He took the throne on 24 October 1960 after his father abdicated in his favor. Sheikh Ahmad then assumed throne and became the emir through the final years of dependency, overseeing the nation's independence from Great Britain in 1971. On the day his reign began, his cousin Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani was appointed as the heir apparent and deputy ruler.

Reign 1963 Arab Nationalism movements In April 1963, a nationalist labor group known as the National Unity Front was formed in response to a relative of Sheikh Ahmad opening fire on a nationalist demonstration and killing a protester. The demonstration had been organized by North Yemeni migrant workers who supported their government's union with the United Arab Republic. The group's formation was precipitated by public dissent with the ruling family's extravagant lifestyles and Sheikh Ahmed's long absences abroad since he ascended to the throne in 1960. Co-founded by a wealthy businessman and a tribal leader, the group soon gained popularity among Arab nationalists, individuals sympathetic to the Ba'ath Party and Qatari laborers.

They staged a mini-uprising in the central Doha market that year in response to the shooting where they presented their demands to the government. Some of these demands would have curtailed Sheikh Ahmad's power. The government rejected all these demands, and amid a tense atmosphere, many of the National Unity Front members were arrested and detained without trial. However, Sheikh Ahmad did institute some reforms, such as the provision of land and loans to poor farmers.

Achievements Economic achievements Sheikh Ahmad's rule saw the growth of economic activities in the country as the result of the discovery of a large number of oil fields in Qatar. In January 1964, full-scale production commenced in the Idd al-Shargi field, the first seabed field in the world to be operated entirely as an offshore facility. His body was flown back to Qatar and was received by the ruling family and he received a formal funeral which was attended by the Emir and ruling family and buried in Al Rayyan cemetery and a three-day mourning period was announced. He had nine children, seven sons and two daughters.

Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Ahmad Al Thani (born to Hassa bint Hamad Al Thani) Sheikh Nasser bin Ahmad Al Thani Sheikh Hamad bin Ahmad Al Thani Sheikh Saud bin Ahmad Al Thani Sheikha Hessa bint Ahmad Al Thani Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmad Al Thani Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmad Al Thani Sheikha Munira bint Ahmad Al Thani Sheikh Mansour bin Ahmad Al Thani