The ancestors of modern-day Qataris had been colouring their flags red for centuries, using a dye that originated from the Bin Ghannam Island near Al Khor. With prolonged exposure to the sun, the dye would fade and turn a purplish-red or maroon colour.

Qatar was flying a flag remarkably similar to the current version at least as far back as 1932.

Shortly afterwards, however, the name Qatar in Arabic was added, along with ten red diamonds running down the serrated edge.

According to official government records, this change was reversed in 1960 by His Highness Sheikh Ali bin Abdulla Al Thani, the then Emir of Qatar, who kept the white and purplish-red colour along with the serrated points, but removed the diamonds and the word ‘Qatar’.

The nine points along the notched edge that divides the two colours also hold historical significance, representing Qatar as the 9th member of the Trucial Coast Convention of 1916.

Qatar has been proudly flying its flag since 1960 as a strong symbol of national pride and dignity, connecting the country’s past with its present.

To access the freely available archives on the region’s history and culture, please visit the Qatar Digital Library website: www.qdl.qa