Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani
After Qatar earned its independence in 1971, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani assumed control of the newly-found state in February 1972. One of his main policies was the decentralization of Qatar's housing and major infrastructure projects. To promote growth in the northern settlements, he designated Al Ruwais a 'township' and launched several projects in it, including in 1972 the construction of the Al Ruwais Port.