Articles On Jassim's Abdication:
Qatar: Sheikh Tamim is Heir Apparent
06 August 2003
Emir accepts Sheikh Jassem's request to step down with 'pain and sadness'
DOHA:
H H Sheikh Jassem bin Hamad Al Thani, who had endeared himself to the people of Qatar with his gentleness and composure, announced in an emotional televised address to the nation yesterday that his father, the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, had accepted his request to step down from the post of Heir Apparent in favour of his ‘friend and brother’, H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
In an equally moving reply to Sheikh Jassem’s letter, a proud but regretful father the Emir expressed “pain and sadness” at having to accept the request.
With thousands of people glued to television screens, and with speculative reports doing the rounds in a section of the foreign media, Sheikh Jassem, the Emir’s third son, very plainly said he never wanted to be the Heir Apparent in the first place.
It was in keeping with the frankness and transparency which the country is now accustomed to, that he decided to come out and explain the reason behind the move, said the Sandhurst graduate who had been appointed to the post in October 1996.
Not for one day was the position an “objective I sought to achieve or a goal I cherished to accomplish,” he said. In his letter to the Emir, that was made public yesterday, Sheikh Jassem reiterated: “I was not willing since the very beginning to be entrusted with the post.”
While highly appreciating being chosen as the next in line to rule the country, he told his father that he accepted the responsibility when he did owing to the “most critical and sensitive circumstances that surfaced following the aborted attempt to destabilise and undermine the security and stability in the country, and in view of Your Highness’s intention to undergo a surgery abroad, that, thank God, was successfully performed.”
Despite the unwillingness to accept the position, he said, he had spared no effort in his service to the nation and its people. “Allah knows I have carried out my duties as best as I could in accordance with the dictates of my religion and conscience and in endearment of the trust H H the Emir, the ruling family and the people of Qatar conferred upon me,” he said in the televised address.
He said he performed his duties in keeping with his father’s advice that “the State of Qatar and its people rank first because they are a trust to be handed down through the generations, as has been the case since (the time of) the grand founder, the late Sheikh Jassem bin Mohmmad Al Thani.”
He said now, after the reasons that dictated his acceptance of the post had disappeared, he saw it as an opportune time to make known to the Emir his desire to step down. He thanked the Emir for allowing him to “share in selecting” Sheikh Tamim as the Heir Apparent and also for assigning him the task of preparing his younger brother for the responsibility.
“My brother Tamim has contributed with extreme dedication and self-denial in performing all the tasks entrusted to him over the past two years, besides performing his civil and military duties.”
He said he was fully confident that his brother would take over the task with competence and efficiency and would be a great support to the Emir in the process of reforms he was leading.
He vowed to be at his brother’s side constantly and support him, and to be loyal to his father and to the homeland sparing no effort in serving it and contributing to the process of development and progress under the Emir’s wise leadership.
Replying to his letter, the Emir recalled that Sheikh Jassem had been selected for the post for his competence, sincerity and goodness and for the earnest concern he showed for the country and its progress. “You have, and Allah is witness, through your work proved right my good opinion of you and hope in you, for you have always been sincere and honest and earnestly concerned about Qatar, its people and the future of its generations.”
The Emir lamented that “despite our repeated attempts to convince you to reconsider your demand I could not help but accept, with all regret, your decision, in spite of the pain and sadness I feel.”
The Emir said he had consulted the ruling family and influential people in the country over Sheikh Jassem’s wish to step down and appointing as Heir Apparent his brother Sheikh Tamim “in whom we see, like you have seen, competence, goodness and sincerity”.
He gave credit to the 25-year-old Sheikh Jassem for his efforts and endeavours over the past two years in preparing Sheikh Tamim, younger by a year, for his post “in accordance with the agreement we reached in this regard”.
“And your highness, dear son, it gives me pleasure to put on record proudly, you have been and you shall be a good support and help and that you have shouldered the trust vested in you with all competence, sincerity and diligence,” the Emir added.
Later in the day, the Emir and his sons gave audience to members of the ruling family and dignitaries who reiterated their allegiance to them.
The meeting was attended, among others, by the Prime Minister H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani, and H E Sheikh Khaled bin Hamad Al Thani.
Qatar's crown prince gives up post to brother
Associated Press
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Qatar's crown prince gave up his office Tuesday in favour of his younger brother, a court statement said. Crown Prince Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, 25, will be replaced by Prince Tamim, 24, the statement said. No reason was given for the surprise move.
Prince Jassim, the third son of the emir, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, was appointed crown prince in 1996, a year after Sheik Hamad ousted his father in a bloodless coup.
Prince Jassim was head of the Environment and Protectorates Authority but held no ministerial positions. He appeared with his father on several occasions and official visits and has held official meetings with several senior U.S. administration officials, including defence secretaries Donald Rumsfeld and William S. Cohen.
When Qatar held a constitutional referendum in April, photos of Prince Jassim were placed next to those of the emir on various buildings.
The two princes are full brothers from the emir's favoured wife, Sheika Mozza bint Nasser al-Misnid.
Prince Tamim serves as head of the Qatari Olympic committee. Both princes, like their father, graduated from Britain's Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.
Emir names Sheikh Tamim crown prince
Gulf News, Doha |Reuters | 06-08-2003
The Emir of Qatar named his fourth son as heir apparent yesterday, replacing an older son as crown prince.
His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani had accepted a decision by Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to quit as crown prince, according to a royal decree carried by the news agency QNA.
Younger brother Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani will replace him in the role. Both sons are in their 20s.
QNA said Sheikh Jassim sent a letter to his father explaining his decision to quit, saying "the time is appropriate to step down and prepare for a successor".
The letter, carried by the agency, did not give specific reasons but Sheikh Jassim said he had "reluctantly" accepted the post in 1996.
Sheikh Jassim is Sheikh Hamad's third son. Sheikh Tamim, who heads the Olympic committee, is his fourth. The Emir in the decree appreciated his elder son for the work he had done while in office and said the younger son has been appointed as his noble qualities had qualified him for the post.
The Emir's eldest son is a businessman and his second is involved in Islamic charities. Neither has shown any interest in becoming crown prince.
In a televised ceremony, Sheik Hamad accepted his son's resignation. The ceremony was attended by royal family members, including Prince Tamim, and senior Qatari officials.
In the letter to his father, Prince Jassim said he had initially accepted the position in October 1996 because of "sensitive circumstances."
"Although I have never and will never slack in serving my country under your leadership, I did not want, as I have told you from the start, to be appointed as crown prince," Prince Jassim wrote.
In his responding letter, Sheik Hamad said he had repeatedly tried to change his son's mind. "With all my appreciation to you, dear son, I have nothing to do ... but to accept with great regret your decision in spite of the sorrow and pain I feel," he said.
pictures! Where do you find all the pictures of him? He was CP or Heir Apparent until last year when he resigned, now his bro Tamim is CP. Tamim is really, really tall but no where near as cute as Jass 
. They do that every so often - and yeah it's usually with Ali's hair, but this time it was definitely Hash :woot:
, he should complain - a lot 
! 
