On August 27, a Saudi delegation including Prince Saud Al Faisal, Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, head of General Intelligence, and Prince Mohamed bin Nayef, Minister of Interior, arrived in Doha.
Qatari leaders warmly welcomed the delegation and the Saudis then met the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Their talks focused on strengthening relations between the two countries as well as concerns of the Gulf region and the Arab world.
It is worth pointing out that pictures of the delegation with the Qatari leadership show that summer clouds on relations between the two countries are vanishing.
The most reliable sources in Saudi Arabia said that the delegation was formed on the orders of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.
It was formed with the aim of ending disagreements between the countries of the Gulf as soon as possible so that their relations return to the level prior to the withdrawal of ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE from Qatar on March 5, 2014.
This is the wisdom of kings that others should realise; knowing that what faces us all is bigger and more dangerous than disagreements among GCC countries.
(2) The Saudi delegation’s visit took place before the regular ministerial council meeting of the GCC countries in Riyadh. This meeting took place at a time when relations among Gulf and Arab countries are troubled, which is reflected in North Africa and the Gaza Strip.
Amidst all this, the Arab intellectuals are nowhere to be seen. The Gulf ministerial meeting took place before the Arab ministerial council meeting in Cairo, and was meant to forge a common stance among the Gulf states regarding issues to be discussed in the Arab council meeting and the United Nations General Assembly.
(3) We are full of hope that Saudi efforts will help us tackle internal differences among the GCC states. However, devils in media outlets in some Gulf states are spiteful and want to spoil relations between the leaders of these countries. Some of them hate one country while others want to please the rulers in the other countries, which is why we see them sharpening their pens and tongues to harm the regime of the country that is in disagreement with other GCC countries. The third type of media persons is opportunists who do not miss a single opportunity to become famous and get a place in their ruler’s gatherings (Majlis). They do not know that if they get the place they want, they will miss another place.
Therefore, I call from the bottom of my heart on all writers in the Gulf countries to support our leaders with constructive opinions end the crisis we are facing, instead of stirring hatred and widening the gaps between the leaders. The writing profession requires honesty and sincerity, and I would like to say to those looking for fame or positions or other gains: Be honest, otherwise you will be unjust and foolish.
(4) Zionist media outlets are targeting Qatar by accusing Qatar of funding and supporting Hamas against Israel. It is an honour for Qatar to stand in solidarity with the Palestinians, who are besieged by Israel and the regime in Egypt at the same time.
It is an honour to be accused of struggling in order to enable the Palestinians to achieve their legitimate rights. The fact is that the Qatari government and citizens have stood besides the Palestinian resistance politically and financially and provided it media coverage, unlike some Gulf and Arab countries that are not affected by the Arab Spring, namely Algeria and Morocco.
(5) In Israel, the Likud Party is preparing a draft law that considers Qatar an enemy of Israel. This is an honour to Qataris, as we are not allies or friends of Israel. The Israeli representative at the United Nations is also working with the Israeli lobby in the US to pass a decision through the UN Security Council naming Qatar a funder of terrorism.
Enemies of Qatar who claim that Qatar is a strategic ally of Israel against the interests of the Arab world should know that the aforementioned effort of the most extremist Zionists is the best proof against their claims.
It is ironic that Israel demanded the shutting down of Al Jazeera because it revealed its crimes against humanity during the war in Gaza, but some Arab leaders are also making the same demand — because both of them do not want the truth to come out.
(6) The German government issued an official apology after a statement by German Development Minister Gerd Muller, who said that Qatar was funding the Islamic State.
On August 19, the spokesman of the US State Department denied accusations that Qatar was funding terrorism, commending its role in stopping the war in Gaza.
The Washington Post has also commended Qatar for using its influence with political groups in the region to achieve positive results, the latest of which was the release of journalist Peter Theo Curtis.
Finally, I will say that there are a few hateful, immoral groups that are targeting Qatar in collaboration with some parties in the Arab world. Whatever they do, we will hold our heads high, and the civilized world is commending the role of our wise leadership, so will there be an end to these attacks?
