Page 507 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947

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QATAR. 29.
29. QATAR.
(1) The Ruler of Qatar, His Excellency Sheikh
Abdulla bin Qasim al-Thani, C.I.E., is now about 74
years old, and continues in good health despite a
few set-backs such as an attack of impetigo of the
feet. He was treated for this by the Agency Medical
Officer who went to Qatar in late November to attend to
him.
His age prevents him from carrying out
efficiently all affairs of State most of which are
now done by his second son and heir-presumptive.
Sheikh Hamad bin Abdulla, who is now 40 years old.
The latter, of whom the father is very fond, is the
keeper of the official seal and issues all letters
in his father*s name.
(ii) Local Affairs.
Sheikh Hamad goes down to Doha, the Capital
of Qatar, daily to attend to affairs of State and
also tries important cases, petty and minor cases
are dealt with according to Islamic Law by the Amir
of Doha, one Hammam by name, an old and trusty
follower of the Shaikh.
(iii) Revenue.
The chief source of revenue for the Shaikh
accrues from the subsidy on oil given by Petroleum
Concessions (Qatar) Limited, Other sources of revenue
are Customs duty at 7,1 on imports and exports cf barley
and wheat and 5-1 duty and 21 demurrage tax on all other
goods.
(iv) Education.
Education is confined to boys, there being
about eight small schools with a total number of 300.
They are taught the Koran, simple arithmetic and the
Arabic script. No schools for girls have as yet been
opened.
(v) Pearling industry.

The pearling fleet consists of about 70
craft with a total crew of about 1,500 persons, most
of whom come from the hinterland and Persia during
the pearling season. During the year under review
the catch was small but due to the high price prevail­
ing for pearls the margin of profit was most encouraging.
(vi) Shipping.

mu „^u , ?° steaaers call at Doha, the port of Qatar.
the ^Slo-Iranian Oil Company, Limited,
periodically calls there to replenish Qatar’s supply of
SSKiJEV11 “*? 5e£roh Traffic between ijatar and ports
outside is carried by dhows. *

(Continued)