Doha revokes nationality of Qatari poet Mohamed Bin Futeis

CAIRO – 1 October 2017: The Qatari opposition announced Saturday that Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani stripped the nationality of writer and poet Mohamed Bin Futeis Al Murri amid a series of severe measures against the national opposition.

Via its Twitter account, the opposition said, “Tamim threatens to revoke the Qatari citizenship of whoever criticizes Qatar or sympathizes with the boycotting countries.”

Sheikh Tamim stripped the nationality of dozens people and tribesmen who oppose Doha’s policies toward the region, notably Sheikh Talib bin Mohamed Bin Lahoum Bin Sherim, leader of Al-Murra tribe — part of Yaam tribe.

Al Murri, the winner of Emirati poetry competition Millions' Poet, had expressed his rejection to the Qatari accusations against Saudi Arabia politicizing the Hajj (Islamic pilgrimage) and attacking the Arab Gulf’s symbol figures.

Qatar was hit by its biggest diplomatic crisis in years after several Arab nations, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, cut ties with it, accusing it of destabilizing the region with its support of Islamist groups.

The Arab quartet halted all land, air and sea traffic with Qatar and withdrew their diplomats and ambassadors from the Qatari peninsula. The Arab quartet issued 13 demands to Doha — then shortened to six principles — including closing Al Jazeera television, curbing relations with Iran and shutting a Turkish military base in its land.