By Mete Erdurcan and Baron Henri Estramant.
On Tuesday, 16 December 2014, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in The Netherlands organised a reception at the Hotel des Indes in honour of the country’s national day (al-yaoum-al-watani). The date (18 December) celebrates the unification and independence of Qatar.
More precisely the National Day marks 18 December 1878; date of the demise of Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani (reigned: 1850–1878), first Ruler (Hakim) of Qatar, and his subsequent dynastic succession by his son, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani (reigned: 1878–1913). Thereby consolidating the grip on power for the new House of Thani.
Before Al Thani rule, Qatar had been governed since 1783 from Bahrain by the clan of Khalifa (Al Khalifa), which still rules the Bahraini islands.
Qatari ambassador Mr Khalid bin Fahad Al Khater is further accredited to the Kingdom of Denmark and the Kingdom of Sweden, although Qatar is due to open a resident mission in Sweden in 2015.
In the emirate itself the festivities were presided over by His Highness The Amir, Sheikh Tamim and His Highness The Amir Father, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
