The **House of Al Thani** is the ruling royal family of Qatar, tracing its origins to the **Banu Tamim** tribe, a prominent Arab tribe in the Arabian Peninsula. The dynasty was established in the mid-19th century by **Thani bin Mohammed**, with his son **Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani** recognized as the founder of modern Qatar for unifying its tribes and asserting sovereignty against Ottoman incursions. The family has ruled Qatar continuously since then, guiding the country through key historical milestones[1][2][4]. The Al Thani family played a crucial role in Qatar’s path to independence from Britain in **1971**, after which they led the nation’s transformation from a modest pearling and fishing economy into a wealthy state driven by oil and, later, liquefied natural gas (LNG) production. Notable emirs include **Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani** (1972–1995), who oversaw Qatar’s post-independence growth; his son **Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani** (1995–2013), who expanded LNG exports and launched the influential Al Jazeera media network; and the current emir, **Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani** (2013–present), who has pursued modernization reforms and successfully hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup[1][2]. The Al Thani family is extensive, numbering in the tens of thousands, and remains central to Qatar’s governance, economy, and international diplomacy. They have navigated regional challenges, including diplomatic rifts with neighboring Gulf states, by leveraging Qatar’s strategic wealth and independent foreign policy. Their leadership has been pivotal in securing Qatar’s status as a significant global energy supplier and a key player in Middle Eastern geopolitics[2][4]. Recent events highlight the family’s continued influence, particularly under Emir Tamim’s Vision 2030 plan, aimed at economic diversification and social development beyond hydrocarbon dependency[1][2].