In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

We, Khalifa Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar,

Reflecting our will, which we committed Allah to make every possible effort to achieve it and we cemented the determination before the people to devote ourselves to it, is to push ahead our country from the stage of start, and striving towards building a better society whose citizens enjoy greater prosperity, social justice, equality, science and health, and both the citizens and  public authorities equally engage in exercising their rights and performing what they have of duties in a way that ensures the achievement of this will;

Whereas the previous Amended Provisional Constitution has been established at a time when the Emirate of Qatar was a member of the United Arab Emirates, and prior to the State became fully independent and fully sovereign; and whereas the situation demanded the amendment, by addition, deletions and replacement, the provisions of that Constitution to be in line with, through the appropriate essential gradual development stage during the transition period, the wide profound changes resulting from complete independence of the country on one hand and on the rise of the first light of the new era, renaissance comprehensive reform era, on the other hand;

Whereas laying the sound foundations for desired comprehensive reform during the period of transition requires the initiative to reorganise the State by taking appropriate measures and issuing appropriate legislation, regulations and decisions, especially because we cement the determination to make this period the shortest period dictated by the higher interests of the State and exigencies thereof, then the amendment has included the provisions regulating the formation of the Shura Council, which shall be composed of twenty (20) members initially, appointed by virtue of Emiri order with possibility to be appointed a number of other members not exceeding four (4) by the Emir if it deems necessary for the public interest, provided the functions of this Council shall remain the same and its term shall be one (1) year. At the same time, the amendment has prescribed as well to establish a new Shura Council at the expiry of the term of the first Shura Council, taking into account that the Council shall be formed by direct general election through secret ballot in accordance with the rules issued by a law that regulates the general election. Such law shall be issued within thirty (30) days from the date of expiry of the aforementioned mentioned term and the election procedure shall be done within thirty (30) days from the date of issuance of the aforesaid law. It goes without statement that the principle of appointment, which shall be applied to the first Shura Council in the country, is a principle generally applicable in all countries with recent constitutional systems, especially during the first phase of the application of these systems;

Hereby, we are pleased today to announce this Provisional Constitution that amends the previous Provisional Constitution for the rule in the State of Qatar to be applied, in light of the basic guiding principles of the policy of the State stipulated for each of the political, economic, social and cultural aspects, during the transition period and until the issuance of compete Permanent Constitution set in the light of the first real experience for the exercise of such constitution in our country, and to be implemented instantaneously after the transition period.