The 1868 treaty between Great Britain and Qatar may have inspired the creation of the flag. Qataris chose mauve or maroon instead of red (a more typical color among Arab countries) perhaps to distinguish it from the flag used in Bahrain. Passages from the Quran, in Arabic script, have sometimes been added to the flag.

Qatar Official name: Dawlat Qatar (State of Qatar). Form of government: monarchy (emirate); Islamic law is the basis of legislation in the state. Heads of state and government: Emir assisted by Prime Minister. Population (1998): 579,000. Population projection: (2000) 599,000; (2010) 693,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1990-95): 16.5 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (1995): U.S.$7,448,000,000 (U.S.$11,600 per capita). Land use (1994): meadows and pastures 4.5%; agricultural and under permanent cultivation 0.7%; built-up, desert, and other 94.8%.