The draft constitutional amendments include altering the texts of Articles (1), (7), (13), (74), (77), (80), (81), (83), (86), (103), (104), (114), (117), and (150) of the Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar, in addition to adding Article (75 bis), Article (125/final paragraph), and canceling Articles (78), (79), and (82) of the Constitution, as follows: The proposed text for Article (1) will be (Qatar is an independent sovereign Arab State. Its religion is Islam and Shari’a law shall be a main source of its legislations. Its political system is democratic based on shura, justice and the rule of law. The Arabic Language shall be its official language. The people of Qatar are a part of the Arab nation) instead of the existing text (Qatar is an independent sovereign Arab State. Its religion is Islam and Shari’a law shall be a main source of its legislations. Its political system is democratic. The Arabic Language shall be its official language. The people of Qatar are a part of the Arab nation.) The pr
oposed text for Article (7) will be (The foreign policy of the State is based on the principle of strengthening international peace and security by means of encouraging peaceful resolution of international disputes, and in accordance with the role of the State in resolving these disputes at the regional and international levels through mediation and dialogue, and what this entails in terms of maintaining balanced relations with all parties; shall support the right of peoples to self-determination; and shall not interfere in the domestic affairs of states; and shall cooperate with peace-loving nations) after it was (The foreign policy of the State is based on the principle of strengthening international peace and security by means of encouraging peaceful resolution of international disputes; and shall support the right of peoples to self-determination; and shall not interfere in the domestic affairs of states; and shall cooperate with peace-loving nations).

The proposed text for Article (13) will be (Without
prejudice to the provisions of the two preceding articles, and where it is not possible to delegate powers to the Heir Apparent, or in other circumstances that he deems appropriate, the Amir may, by an Amiri Order, designate a deputy from the Ruling Family to discharge some of his powers and functions; and where the person who has been so designated holds a post or performs a function in any institution, the same person shall cease to discharge the duties of that post or function during his deputation of the Amir; and the Deputy Amir shall, as soon as he is so designated, take, before the Amir, the same oath as taken by the Heir Apparent) instead of (Without prejudice to the provisions of the two preceding articles, and where it is not possible to delegate powers to the Heir Apparent, the Amir may, by an Amiri Order, designate a deputy from the Ruling Family to discharge some of his powers and functions; and where the person who has been so designated holds a post or performs a function in any institution, th
e same person shall cease to discharge the duties of that post or function during his deputation of the Amir; and the Deputy Amir shall, as soon as he is so designated, take, before the Amir, the same oath as taken by the Heir Apparent).

The proposed text for Article (74) will be (The Amir shall take the following oath prior to the discharge of his functions: I swear by Almighty God to respect Sharia law, the Constitution and the law, protect the independence of the State, safeguard its territorial integrity, and defend the freedom and interests of its people.) instead of (The Amir shall take the following oath prior to the discharge of his functions in a special session convened by the Shura Council: I swear by Almighty God to respect Sharia law, the Constitution and the law, protect the independence of the State, safeguard its territorial integrity, and defend the freedom and interests of its people.) The proposed text for Article (77) will be (The Shura Council shall consist of no less than forty-five mem
bers, and the appointment of the members shall be issued by an Amiri Order), after it was (The Shura Council shall consist of fortyfive Members, thirty of whom shall be elected by direct, general secret ballot; and the Amir shall appoint the remaining fifteen Members from amongst the Ministers or any other persons. The term of service of the appointed Members in Shura Council shall expire when these Members resign their seats or are relieved from their posts.) The proposed text for Article (80) will be (The member of the Shura Council should fulfill the following conditions: 1. To be a holder of an original Qatari nationality; 2. To be good in reading and writing Arabic; 3. Not to have been convicted for an offense involving moral turpitude or dishonesty unless rehabilitated in accordance with the law; and 4. To have knowledge or opinion or have competence and experience) after it was (The member of the Shura Council should fulfill the following conditions: 1. To be a holder of an original Qatari nationality;
2. His age shall not be less than thirty calendar years at the closing date of nomination; 3. To be good in reading and writing Arabic; 4. Not to have been convicted by a competent court of law for an offense involving moral turpitude or dishonesty unless rehabilitated in accordance with the law; and 5. Eligible to vote as determined in the elections law.) The proposed text for Article (81) will be (The term of the Shura Council shall be four calendar years commencing from the date of the first meeting; and the elections of the new Council shall be conducted during the last 60 days of the aforementioned term. If the elections are not held at the expiry of the term of the Council or delayed for any reason whatsoever, the term of the Council shall remain intact until a new Council is elected. The legislative term shall not be extended save for necessity and by decree provided that the said extension shall not exceed the period of one legislative term.), after it was (The term of the Shura Council shall be four
calendar years commencing from the date of the first meeting; and the elections of the new Council shall be conducted during the last ninety days of the aforementioned term. The Member whose term of service expires may be re elected; and where the elections are not held at the expiry of the term of the Council or delayed for any reason whatsoever, the term of the Council shall remain intact until a new Council is elected. The legislative term shall not be extended save for necessity and by decree provided that the said extension shall not exceed the period of one legislative term.)

Source: Qatar News Agency