The Shura Council State of Qatar

The Advisory Council held Monday its regular weekly session under the chairmanship of its Speaker HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud.

At the outset of the meeting, the Advisory Council discussed the report of the Internal and External Affairs Committee on a draft law on permanent residency.

Under the provisions of the draft law, the Minister of Interior may grant a permanent residency identification card to a non-Qatari if he meets the conditions specified in the draft law. Also, a decision by the Minister of Interior may grant this ID to the children of a Qatari woman married to a non-Qatari, as well as those who offered valuable services to the country and people with special capacities that the country needs.

The draft law stipulates the establishment of a committee in the Ministry of Interior to consider requests of granting permanent residency ID in accordance with the provisions of the draft law.

After discussing the report of the Internal and External Affairs Committee, the Advisory Council approved the draft law and decided to submit its recommendations thereon to the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, the Advisory Council reviewed other topics on its agenda. A number of members presented a general debate request on the harm caused to the children of divorced or widowed Qatari mother from spouses of the siege countries, to study the damage resulting therefrom and suggest appropriate recommendations and available options to eliminate the harm.

After discussion, the Advisory Council decided to refer the general debate request to the Internal and External Affairs Committee to study it and submit a report thereon to the Council.

During the session, members of the Advisory Council watched a presentation about the website of the Advisory Council, which will be launched soon. The website will contain all information related to the Advisory Council's activities, and will document the Council's activities, statements, conferences and foreign participations.