Qatar was nominally controlled by the Ottoman Empire until World War 1

7 days to go and here’s another interesting and historic fact about Qatar.

Qatar wasn’t always this peaceful country that we all know of. The history of this nation is quite colourful with many invasions and battles.

Out of these invasions that Qatar had witnessed, the one of the Ottoman Empire plays a key role in its history.

The Ottoman troops expanded their rule over the Eastern Arabia in 1871.

 By January 1872, the Ottomans incorporated Qatar into their dominion. It was designated a province in Najd under the control of the sanjak of Najd.

Jassim bin Mohammed who was ruling Qatar during this period, was appointed as the Kaymakam (sub-governor) of the district, and most other Qataris were allowed to keep their positions in the new government.

Despite the opposition of many prominent Qatari tribes, Jassim bin Mohammed continued to show support for the Ottomans.

However, there were no signs of improvement in the partnership between the two parties, and relations further deteriorated when the Ottomans refused to aid Jassim in his expedition to Al Khor in 1882.

This and many other political reasons led to a bloody battle called the “Battle of Al-Wajbah” where the Ottoman troop was defeated.

In 1931, the Ottoman Empire officially renounced sovereignty over Qatar.

Here we are, at peace and in love with the nation! Watch out for another Qatar Fact tomorrow!