Emir of Qatar
The Emir of the State of Qatar is the monarch and head of state of Qatar, as well as the commander-in-chief of the Qatar Armed Forces and guarantor of the Constitution. It is the most powerful position in the country, and has a prominent role in foreign relations.
The Emirs of Qatar are members of the House of Al Thani, which originate from the Banu Tamim, one of the largest tribes in the Arabian Peninsula.
Since 25 June 2013, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is the current Emir.
Hakims of Qatar (1847–1971)
| Name | Portrait | Reign start | Reign end | |
| 1 | HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani محمد بن ثاني | 1847 | 18 December 1878 | |
| 2 | HH Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani جاسم بن محمد آل ثاني | 18 December 1878 | 17 July 1913 | |
| 3 | HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Muhammed Al Thani . | 1898 | 1905 | |
| 4 | HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani عبد الله بن جاسم آل ثاني | 17 July 1913 | 20 August 1949 | |
| 5 | HH Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al Thani علي بن عبد الله آل ثاني | 20 August 1949 | 24 October 1960 | |
| 6 | HH Sheikh Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani أحمد بن علي آل ثاني | 24 October 1960 | 3 September 1971 |
Emirs of Qatar (1971–present)
Succession
The permanent constitution of the state of Qatar published in 2005 dictates that the rule is hereditary and in the descendants of Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani .The order of succession in Qatar is determined by appointments within the House of Al Thani.The former Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, appointed his fourth son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as heir apparent on 8 August 2003, after his older son Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani renounced his rights to the throne in favour of Sheikh Tamim.