O.K. The beginning of Democracy in Qatar is happening. It will continue for the next couple of years and will evolve into an Emir who is responsible to a Parliament. As predicted...
Qataris Vote on Constitution
Agence France Presse
DOHA, 30 April 2003 — Qataris voted yesterday in a referendum on the country’s first written constitution, which would usher in a Gulf-style democracy without political parties under the rule of the emir and his family.
Voting was brisk at a number of the 125 polling stations in the morning after state television and radio echoed a call from Emir Sheikh Hamad ibn Khalifa Al-Thani for people to turn out.
State media called on the more than 24,000 Qatari voters to approve the constitution which will leave real power in the hands of the ruling family but give citizens a greater say in the running of the country.
“You must all have your say. The constitution is you, and it is for you,” Sheikh Hamad said on television on Monday night.
“Consultation has distinguished Arab and Islamic society since the dawn of time ... and forms a pillar of any enlightened society.
“The Arab and Islamic nation needs to adopt this principle (consultation). If this principle had been in practice for a long time, the situation would not have reached this level,” he said, referring to differences among Arab countries.
The proposed constitution would set up a separation of executive, legislative and judicial powers. Legislative power would be vested in a shoura (consultative) council made up of 45 members, two-thirds of whom would be elected in 2004 to four-year terms and the rest appointed by the emir.
Political parties would still not be allowed, in line with the Gulf tribal tradition of looser associations or movements. Under the new constitution, no Qatari citizen could be banned from the country.
Qataris Vote on Constitution
Agence France Presse
DOHA, 30 April 2003 — Qataris voted yesterday in a referendum on the country’s first written constitution, which would usher in a Gulf-style democracy without political parties under the rule of the emir and his family.
Voting was brisk at a number of the 125 polling stations in the morning after state television and radio echoed a call from Emir Sheikh Hamad ibn Khalifa Al-Thani for people to turn out.
State media called on the more than 24,000 Qatari voters to approve the constitution which will leave real power in the hands of the ruling family but give citizens a greater say in the running of the country.
“You must all have your say. The constitution is you, and it is for you,” Sheikh Hamad said on television on Monday night.
“Consultation has distinguished Arab and Islamic society since the dawn of time ... and forms a pillar of any enlightened society.
“The Arab and Islamic nation needs to adopt this principle (consultation). If this principle had been in practice for a long time, the situation would not have reached this level,” he said, referring to differences among Arab countries.
The proposed constitution would set up a separation of executive, legislative and judicial powers. Legislative power would be vested in a shoura (consultative) council made up of 45 members, two-thirds of whom would be elected in 2004 to four-year terms and the rest appointed by the emir.
Political parties would still not be allowed, in line with the Gulf tribal tradition of looser associations or movements. Under the new constitution, no Qatari citizen could be banned from the country.