Unit 2 Qatar and the Ottoman Rule. Lesson 2- Qatar Under The

The Ottomans entered Qatar in July 1871 at the invitation of Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani. He was known for his patriotism and Islamic tendencies.

Why did Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani welcome the Ottomans?

- To protect his country from foreign powers, especially Britain, which coveted to extend its influence to Qatar.

- To extend Qatari sovereignty on the areas that the British tried to extract from Qatar.

1- Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thni becomes the ruler of Qatar and District Commissioner of the country.

2- The Ottomans exempt Qatar from taxes as the country does not produce agricultural yields.

3- An Ottoman force stays at the fort of Al-Bidda as a symbol of Ottoman sovereignty and to defend the country against any attack.

4- Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani accepted the position of Surrogate*.

* a substitute, especially a person deputising for another in a specific role or office.

The Ottoman Empire worked towards further advantages in Qatar which led to Al Wajba Battle in 1893 for the following reasons:

1- Insistence of the Ottomans to establish a direct Turkish Administration in Qatar.

2- Imposition of taxes on Qatari merchants, especially pearl merchants.

3- Opening post offices for a stronger hold on Qatar.

4- Attempts to assign Ottoman administrators at the customs departments of Doha, Wakrah, Zubarah and Al-Odaid.

5- Increasing and promoting Ottoman protection in Qatar.

6- Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani refused the Ottoman request to appoint a deputy commissioner who would take over in his absence.

- Tension grew between Qatar and the Ottomans.

- The Ottomans arrived at Doha on February 14 1893 accompanied by 300 knights, an infantry brigade and a maritime expedition.

- The ships docked opposite the coast of Doha at the fort of AL Bidda.

- Shiekh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani headed towards the fort of AL Wajba, 15 kms to the west of Doha, to evade the cannons of vessels.

- Qatari tribes joined forces with Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani.

- Sheikh Jassim and the tribes defeated the Ottomans.

The Results:

- The Ottomans were compelled to lift the land and sea siege off Doha.

- The release of the Qatari hostages (brother of Sheikh Jassim and 16 noblemen from Doha).

- The Ottoman Sultan condemned the act of the leader of the Ottoman attack and dismissed him.

- The Ottoman Sultan sent a delegation to settle things with Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani.

- The British offered to protect Sheikh Jassim from the Ottomans but he refused.

- Sheikh Jassim fixed things with the Ottomans and remained loyal to them until the end. What does that mean?

- Sheikh JAssim maintained his internal independence until his death in 1913.