Doha: The Shura Council celebrated Tuesday the 50th anniversary of its founding in an event that was held to mark this occasion at the premises of the council in the presence of members of the council, Secretary-General of the Shura Council and a host of members, current and former employees.
In his remark delivered during the celebration, the Speaker of the Shura Council H E Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim expressed his sincere congratulations to the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on the occasion of 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Shura Council, emphasizing that the eventful march of the council started based on the wise vision of the leaders of the country who laid the blocks of this supreme edifice to represent the willingness and engagement of the loyal Qatari people in managing their country's affairs.
The Speaker underlined the wise leadership's belief in the popular engagement in setting the legislations which are candidly embodied in many places, including Article 1 of the Provisional Basic Law of 1970, the Amended Provisional Basic Law of 1972, and in the country's permanent constitution promulgated in 2004.
Al Ghanim pointed out that the country has been blessed with a prudent leadership who showed great interest in the population's engagement and pursued gradualism as means of attaining this engagement, highlighting the religious importance of Shura (consultation), which Allah has made an approach of life to discharge the country's affairs.
The Speaker indicated that the ruling systems in the country derived their principles from the true religion, and underscored by the permanent constitution resulting in the emergence of the council as an entity that consists of twenty members to further assist the ruling power in drawing up the legislations through the gradation process, which is compatible and responsive to the requirements of the growth and development of the community and the components of the state culminating in the existence of a parliament, two-thirds of which were freely and directly elected.
Al Ghanim remembered the ancestors who had established the council, commending their assiduous efforts and accomplishments during the council's march.
He remembered the step taken by the late HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Thani in April 1972 by amending the provisional statute issued on April 2, 1970 which had stipulated the regulation of the powers in the state and establish a Shura council that contributes to enacting the laws. Such a step is a reminiscent of the vital role undertaken by the Father Amir HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani by issuing the permanent constitution of the State of Qatar in 2004 after it was presented to a referendum and endorsed with the 97.66 percent of votes.
The Speaker commended the special care received by the council from HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani which is demonstrated in amending the composition of the council and appointing four women as the first female members of the council in history in 2017, followed by the issuance of the laws (6) and (7) of 2021, in addition to the election of two-thirds of its members through free and direct voting for first time in the council's history.
He touched on the numerous and vital contributions of the council over half of a century, indicating that all the state vital laws and legal instruments were subject to discussion and consideration by the council and received its prior approval before being issued.
Al Ghanim hailed the efforts of all those who have contributed to the council's accomplishments during its march, including speakers, deputy speakers, members, secretaries and employees, with all their specializations, noting the pivotal role played by those who spearheaded the council's march since the resumption of the presidency by the first president of the council under independence in 1972.
The Speaker also pointed out that the council did not detach the people who represent their will in all segments, including men, women and youth, who have directly or indirectly contributed to the council's accomplishments, reiterating that the council puts their interest into consideration.
He underscored the role undertaken by media, praising its efforts in relaying the council's news, events and activities over years impartially and without disruption.
