A history of betrayal and treachery

After declaring Qatar's independence from Britain in 1971, the state of Qatar was declared under the rule of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Ali Al-Thani, but it did not last long as his cousin, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al-Thani, was not convinced of his role as the Crown Prince and Deputy Governor. He led a military coup in 1972 and began to consolidate his rule by appointing his son Hamad Ben Khalifa was Minister of Defense in 1977.

Hamad married Moza bint Nasser al-Misnad to secure the treachery of al-Misnad, who opposed his father's rule, in return for granting them stronger privileges and powers.

Moza controls the mini-state

Khalifa’s plans didn’t succeed to consolidate his role by his son Hamad, so his son, pushed by his wife Moza, led a new coup exploiting his father’s travel. After sending off his father in the airport, kissing his hand before the cameras and on the next day, Qatari media broadcasted the ceremony of allegiance to Hamad by the sheikhs of Qatar.

A family loves betrayal

Fahd, Hamad’s son from his first wife the cousin of Sheikha Maryam bint Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani, tried to lead a coup to revenge to his grandfather Khalifa from his father’s wife Moza. He failed, been sent away from military and exiled with his brother Mishaal.

Moza began to create the conditions for her son Jassim to become a Crown Prince, but his objection on her society activities got him out of the scene so his brother Tamim inaugurated in 2003.

A military without a faith

Lots of arrests among the Qatari army officers’ ranks in 2009, beside house arresting more members of the ruling family. That revealed a new attempt to coup in Qatar. It is commonly said that it was instigated by Hamad bin Jassim, the cousin of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa, but was not successful.

A new episode of betrayal, when Hamad’s son Tamim withdrawn his father motivated by his mother Moza, so Hamad had to step down.

***