The modern State of Qatar gained its independence from the UK on September 3, 1971.The country's constitution was ratified by public referendum on April 29, 2003; it was endorsed by the Emir on June 8, 2004; and it became effective on June 9, 2005.
Ashurra, is celebrated by Sunni Muslims (Qatar is mostly Sunni, although there are a number of Shiite expats living and working here) as the day Noah's ark found ground, the day Abraham was born and the day the Kabaah*, the holiest place in Islam, was built.
Coffee is extremely important in Qatari culture. Arabian coffee is of a very high quality and made from a lightly roasted bean spiced with cardamom and either sweetened or served with dates. It is drunk in small, thimble-like cups in homes and offices.