Qatar is an independent sovereign Arab State. Its religion is Islam and the Shari'a Law shall be the principal source of its legislation. Its political system is democratic. The Arabic Language shall be its official language. The people of Qatar are a part of the Arab nation.
The capital of the State is Doha City; the capital may be transferred to any other location by law. The State shall exercise sovereignty on its own territory, and may neither relinquish this sovereignty nor cede any part of its territory.
The Law shall specify the flag, emblem, decorations and badges of the State, and the National Anthem.
The Law shall determine the financial and banking systems of the State and specify its official currency.
The State shall preserve its independence, sovereignty, territorial safety and integrity, security and stability, and shall defend itself against aggression.
The State shall respect international charters and conventions and shall strive to implement all international agreements, charters and conventions to which it is party.
The foreign policy of the State is based on the principles of strengthening international peace and security by means of encouraging peaceful resolution of international disputes, supporting the right of peoples to self-determination, not interfering in the domestic affairs of other states, and cooperating with all peace-loving nations.
The rule of the State is hereditary in the family of Al-Thani and in the line of the male descendants of Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Hamad Bin Abdullah Bin Jassim.
The rule shall be inherited by the son appointed as Crown Prince by the Emir. In the event that there is no such heir, the prerogatives of rule shall pass to the member of the family named by the Emir as Crown Prince, and his male descendants shall inherit such rule.
The provisions regarding the rule of the State and the accession shall be determined by legislation that shall be issued within a year from the date that this Constitution shall come into force. The present Law shall have the power of the Constitution.
The Emir shall, by an Emiri Order, appoint a Crown Prince after consultation with members of the Ruling Family and wise people (Ahal Alhal wal agd) in the State. The Crown Prince must be a Muslim born to a Qatari Muslim mother.
The Crown Prince, on his appointment, shall take the following oath: -
“I, …, do solemnly swear by Almighty Allah to respect the Shari'a Law, the Constitution and the Laws thereof, maintain the independence of the State and safeguard its territorial integrity, defend the freedom and interests of its people, and be loyal to the State and the Emir”.
The Crown Prince shall assume the powers and discharge the functions of the Emir on his behalf during the Emir’s absence from the country, or in the event of temporary unavoidable circumstances.
The Emir may, by an Emiri Order, delegate to the Crown Prince the exercise of some of his powers and the discharge of such aspects of his functions as are deemed necessary. In this event, the Crown Prince shall preside over the sessions of the Council of Ministers whenever he is in attendance.
Subject to the provisions of the two preceding Articles, and when it is not possible to delegate powers to the Crown Prince, the Emir may, by an Emiri Order, designate a deputy from the Ruling Family to discharge such other of his powers and functions as the Emir so determines. Where the person who has been so designated holds a post or performs a function in any institution, the same person shall cease to discharge the duties of that post or function during his deputation for the Emir. The Deputy Emir shall, as soon as he is so designated, take before the Emir the same oath as is taken by the Crown Prince.
There shall be established by Emiri Resolution a council named the Council of the Ruling Family (CRF). The Emir shall appoint the members of the CRF from among the members of the Ruling Family.
The CRF shall appoint the successor who should fill the vacancy of the position of Emir in the event of his demise or should he become totally incapacitated and unable to discharge his duties. Following an in camera joint session, the Council of Ministers and the Shura Council shall announce the vacancy and appoint the Crown Prince the Emir of the State.
Where the Crown Prince, at the time he is named Emir of the State, is younger than 18 years of age according to the Gregorian calendar, the responsibility of government shall be conferred upon a Regency Council to be appointed by the CRF.
The Regency Council shall be composed of a chairman and not fewer than three nor more than five members. The chairman and the majority of members shall be from the Ruling Family.
The financial emoluments of the Emir, as well as funds allocated for gifts and assistance shall be determined by a resolution issued annually by the Emir.