Shura Council (Advisory)

Qatar’s Shura Council was established in 1972, following the passing of the Amended Provisional Basic Law of Rule in the State of Qatar on 19 April 1972, to assist His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, and the Council of Ministers in the performance of their duties.

The Shura Council originally had 20 appointed members, a composition which has been subsequently amended on several occasions. The current Council sits 45 members.

In November 2020, His Highness the Amir announced that Shura Council elections would be taking place for the first time in 2021. This is part of Qatar’s ambition to develop its legislative process with wider citizen participation, reflecting the values of the Qatari Constitution and Qatar National Vision 2030. The Shura Council of the State of Qatar is one of the two main branches of Qatar's legislative body. The laws to have an effect, shall be presented before the Shura Council, for consideration and suggestions. The other organ, is the Cabinet, which proposes bills, prepares draft laws, and refers them to the Council, for due consideration and recommendations thereafter.

The Shura Council represents Qatar in numerous parliamentary associations and international organisations. This includes the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Arab Parliament, the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States, the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, and the Association of Senates, Shura & Equivalent Councils in Africa & the Arab World.