people signing on the Huge painting of Emir HH Sheikh Tamim bin hamad al Thani to show there solidarity with the leadership in this hour of crisis on Monday in Al Gharafa. Pictures: Abdul Basit
DOHA: The giant sketched image of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani – the iconic Tamim Al Majd picture – installed at Gharafa has become a must-visit attraction for Qataris and expatriates as people flock the spot day and night to show their love with the country and its leadership.
Everyone writes something on the white space of the giant billboard as per their emotions of love, loyalty and solidarity with the Emir and Qatar. Children are also not behind as they express their love by writing something mounting on the shoulders of their parents or using the roof of vehicles etc.
To facilitate enthusiasts in writing comfortably on the upper portion of the huge billboard, step ladders have also been placed at the venue. When all available space to convert emotions into readable texts ended on the first billboard, it was replaced with a new one on Sunday so that no Qatari or expat might go disappointed without expressing their feelings of love for the Emir.
People write various text like “The nation is Hamad, the leader is Tamim”, “Allah gave Qatar two blessings: Hamad and Tamim”, “Tamim may Allah protect you”, “We are all Tamim”, “Obey the leader” etc. but the meaning of all the phrases ends on love and loyalty with the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Ali Thani.
Besides giant billboard, two horizontal billboards have also been installed so that the maximum number of visitors can avail the opportunity of writing emotions of loyalty with the Emir.
Few days ago, under hashtag #TheMostBeautifulThingInTheSiege, many Qataris pointed out many good things happening to Qatar due to ongoing blockade by neighbouring countries. "What is the most beautiful thing in the blockade is that it has exhibited great love between Qatari people and its wise leadership," tweeted Al Ghala Al Marri.
Another Twitter user tweeted that with the increase in rumors against Qatar and its leadership, the cohesion of people with their leader had increased.
The iconic image of the Emir is seen everywhere in the country; in streets, on vehicles, in malls, on social media websites. Some Qataris, on social media platforms, have suggested that iconic Tamim Al Majd image of the Emir should be printed on Qatari bank notes in memory of display of solidarity with the Emir during Gulf crisis and the idea was supported by many.
The display of loyalty with the Emir was also reported by New York Times with some interesting revelations. “Such displays of nationalism are unusual in Qatar, but the artist, Ahmed Almaadheed, said he had been visited by Sheikha al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, a senior royal and a titan in the global art market, who offered her approval. One Qatari offered him $5 million for the original image, he said, but it was not for sale. “It’s a piece of history,” he said. On Friday night, men in white robes and black-clad women waited in line to be carried, one by one, on a cherry-picker so they could find a space to sign atop the 120-square-foot billboard,” NYT reports.
An exhibition of paintings of Ahmed Almaadheed including iconic #TamimAlMajd image and other images of Their Excellencies the members of Royal family is open at W Doha Hotel & Residencies which will continue till September 10.
