It is the highest decoration in Qatar. It is worn by The Amir of the State and is awarded to the following:

1) Present Kings and Heads of State.

2) Former Kings and Heads of State .

Description:

It is divided into three parts.

The necklace: is made of gold and consists of a chain of 14 filled circles joined with empty decorated circles. Eight of the filled circles have these drawings on them: Qatar Oil Company, A traditional boat, An oriel and a palm-tree, Bow and Arrow, The College of Education, A modern building, Doha sea port, Fertilizer plant.

Six of the circles have written on them in Diwani script: Religion – Science – Justice – Order – Work - Morals.

The middle part of the necklace has a netted shape, with four pearl stones and two ruby stones, with a medallion in the shape of a star with ten arms, in the center of which is emblem of the State.

On the outer circle is written: The State of Qatar – Necklace of Independence. The medallion is ornamented with ten stones of diamond. The necklace has a golden rosette with the emblem of the State of Qatar

It is awarded to the following:

1. Heir Apparents

2. Deputy Heads of State, Vice-Presidents and those of their rank.

3. Members of Trustee Councils and those of their rank.

4. Prime Ministers and those of their rank

5. Parliamentary Speakers and those of their rank.

Description:

It is made of gold, with a chain having ten filled in circles connected with an Arabic decorative repeated unit of 18 parts on which is engraved the emblem of the State of Qatar. The middle part is an emptied rectangle inside which is written in Diwani script the following:

Religion - Morals - Science - Work - Justice - Order

The golden medallion hangs from this part. The emblem of the State of Qatar is drawn in this medallion. On the outer circles of the emblem is written: The Necklace of Merit.

The necklace has a golden rosette with the emblem of the State of Qatar.

It is awarded to the following personalities:

1. Deputy Prime Ministers and those of their rank.

2. VIP citizens known for their role in the service of the country.

3. Non-Qatari VIPs who nobly serve the country or humanity.

Description:

It is a sash of silk with the maroon colour in its middle and green and white on its sides.

A medal of gold with a filled in circle on which is engraved the emblem of the State of Qatar. On its outer circle is written: The State of Qatar – Sash of Independence Ten arms branch from the center. The medal hangs to the sash with a clip of gold ornamented with a pearl.

A medallion

A rosette with a maroon band having green and white lines.

It is awarded to the following:

1. Ministers and those of their rank

2. Ambassadors accredited to the State, on the basis of similar treatment

3. VIP citizens.

4. Non-Qatari VIPs who nobly serve the country or humanity.

Description:

The sash is divided into four parts:

A silk sash, white in its middle, with the maroon the white and the maroon on both sides.

A medal of gold, with the emblem of the State engraved in its filled in circle. On its outer circle is written: The State of Qatar – Sash of Merit.

A golden medallion having the same shape as the medal yet it is larger.

A rosette – with a maroon ribbon having white lines, on a golden ribbon on both sides.

This medal is of five classes:

Awarded to Deputy Prime Ministers, Undersecretaries, Ambassadors and those of their status or rank.

Description :

A Necktie: an ornamented silk ribbon, white in the middle, with maroon and whit on both flanks.

A Medal: of gilded silver with a filled circle in the middle, on which engraved the emblem of the state. In its outer circle is written: Medal of Merit – 1st Class. It is encircled with six decorative units. The whole is mounted on a slar with 12 arms, adorned with green enamel and hung to the necktie with a gold clip.

A Medallion: of gilded silver with a filled circle in its middle with the State Emblem, on the outer circle of which is written: Medal of Merit 1st Class. It is encircled with six decorative units.

A golden rosette with the State emblem, having a maroon coloured ribbon with white stripes, on a golden strip on one side and silver strip on the other.

Awarded to Plenipotentiaries, Senior Advisors and those of their status or rank

Description :

A necktie of silk ribbon, white in the middle, with the colours maroon and white on both sides.

A medal of gilded silver, with emblem of the State in its middle. In its outer circle is written: Medal of Merit, 2nd Class.

A medallion of gilded silver.

A rosette with a decorated maroon ribbon.

Awarded to Directors of Departments in ministries, Diplomatic Counselors and those of their status or rank.

Description:

Necktie of silk ribbon.

Medal of gilded silver.

A rosette with a decorated maroon ribbon.

Awarded to 1st and 2nd Diplomatic Secretaries and those of their status or rank.

Description:

A decorated silk ribbon, white in the middle, surrounded by maroon and white with a large rosette of the same material in its middle.

Medal of gilded silver.

A rosette with a maroon ribbon and white stripes.

Awarded to Third Secretaries and those of their rank or status

Description:

A ribbon similar to that of the 4th Class, yet without a rosette.

A silver medal similar to that of the 4th Class.

A silk ribbon with maroon and white stripes.