Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani warned the Gulf state against excessive tribalism he said endangered national unity, proposing a plan to promote equal citizenship through changes to legislation that has inflamed tribal sensitivities.
The emir, in a speech at the opening session of the advisory Shura Council, for which partial polls were held for the first time earlier this month, also urged Qataris to show "openness and tolerance" when Doha hosts the football World Cup next year.
The first legislative polls for two-thirds of the Council stirred debate about electoral inclusion and citizenship, after some members of a leading tribe found themselves ineligible to vote under a law restricting voting rights to Qataris whose family was present before 1930.
Emir Sheikh said he instructed the cabinet to prepare legal amendments aimed at promoting "equal Qatari citizenship" and send them to the Council for approval.
"Nevertheless ... Citizenship is not purely a legal issue, but is primarily civilizational and an issue of loyalty, belonging and duty, and not just rights," he said, adding that tribal intolerance was a "disease".
"Hateful intolerance, whether tribal or otherwise, could be manipulated and used to subvert and destroy national unity," he added.
The Council will have legislative authority and approve general state policies and the budget, but has no say in the setting of defense, security, economic and investment policy.
The emir continues to appoint 15 members of the 45-member body.
Qatar is gearing up to host the World Cup tournament next year and hopes to see 1.2 million fans visit the country during the 28-day tournament.
Sheikh Tamim said the event would enhance Qatar's global status and "demonstrate the openness and tolerance of the hospitable Qatari people".
He also stressed the need to reduce "excessive dependence on the state" in a wide-ranging speech that touched on Qatar's gas output expansion plans and economic diversification efforts.
