Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi
Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi
Editor-in-Chief
Since Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani took office in 1995, Qatar began to speed up progress in all fields. No doubt the rapid and measured emergence of the country has shocked many malevolent and envious powers.
The world order and international relations are built on the principles of mutual respect and protection of rights. But it is shocking to see insults coming from countries with whom we share brotherhood of religion and Arabism. Pushing Qatar’s name in political scheming is totally rejected. The State of Qatar is not for being blackmailed. It does not interfere in other countries’ internal affairs or anoint a president of another nation. Qatar always stands for the right of self-determination and this has been our history since the establishment of our country.
Media campaigns against Qatar began since the establishment of Aljazeera Satellite TV channel in 1996. Aljazeera came to the Arab media space which was full of official news and the media environment was not conducive to openly speaking and acting independently of the authorities. The operations of Aljazeera often led to snapping of bilateral ties and closure of the network’s offices in many countries. Some nations even tried to pressure Qatar to deviate from its convictions.
The Arab Spring began in Tunisia in late 2010 and moved on to Egypt, Libya, Syria and Yemen. On the contrary, power transfer in Qatar took place in an atmosphere of love and trust between the people and leadership when Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani decided to hand over power to his son Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in 2013. H H the Emir continued working on the path laid down by H H the Father Emir on the basis of love for the nation and its people.
We made plans to put our country in a leading position in all forums. I would like to stress that Qatar is not for blackmailing and judicial bartering. It is not the first or the last to be targeted by the arrows of the weak who have malicious intent. Our confidence is unshaken. Our country will remain a symbol of dignity, hospitality and our values, tolerant faith, traditions and culture are not changeable to satisfy others’ special interests.
