General Information » Facts & Figures » National Flag

The Qatari flag is maroon with a white serrated band that has nine points on the hoist side. The flag was adopted in 1971 – the year that Qatar declared its independence.

According to the Qatari Foreign Ministry, the white colour of the flag reflects the internationally recognised symbol of peace while the maroon colour symbolises the bloodshed during the several wars Qatar had undergone, particularly in the second half of the 19th century.

The nine-point serrated line indicates that Qatar is the ninth member of the ‘reconciled emirates’ of the Arabian Gulf in the wake of concluding the Qatari-British treaty in 1916.

The flags of Bahrain and Qatar are very similar, with only a slight deference in colour, depicting the two countries’ historical links. The Qatari flag can be seen mainly on public and governmental buildings, schools, ships and private cars. More flags can be seen hoisted around the city during sports events, national celebrations or major diplomatic meetings.