Factors that caused anti-Tamim protests to stage on Oct. 13

CAIRO – 9 October 2017: Qatari streets are expected to witness mass protests calling for the ouster of the regime ruled by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, as Qatari opposition reportedly announced it will be staging demonstrations on October 13.

Through their media mouthpiece on social networks, the Qatari opposition called for protests across the country. Qatar, boycotted by four Arab countries over funding terrorism, is witnessing internal political struggles not far from what can be called economic depression, cited by international business organizations.

Recently, Qatar moved on to adopt oppressive steps against the opposition. This is among a number of factors that raised public outrage against Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, calling for the end of his ruling.

Egypt Today is highlighting some factors that led to Oct.13 protests calls:

Foreign Investments withdrawal

The withdrawal of investments of a number of foreign companies operating in Qatar, which were affected by the boycott, has an impact on the decision to incite opposition against the current Qatari regime.

On his official Twitter account, Qatari opposition activist Gaber bin Kohlah al-Murry alleged Qatar to be in a floundering status, especially with the approach of October 13 and the calls for staging protests.

Earlier, Saudi media reports revealed that 388 Saudi companies operating in Qatar have quit from the peninsular country and ended their economic activities there.

A Twitter account codenamed “The Official Account of Qatari Opposition,” highlighted the point that a number of foreign companies investing in Qatar are assumed to withdraw their investments in the aftermath of the boycott exercised by the Arab countries.

Call for protests reveals ugly face of Qatar

In the same context, former leader at the Al-Gamaa al-Islamiya, Hisham al-Naggar, claimed that calls for holding protests in Qatar on October 13 carry some clues; including the idea that the Qatari people have the right to change and to choose their ruler, particularly when the current ruler, Tamim, “is harming his people with his decisions.”

“Calls for democracy, change and freedom by Qatari people are embarrassing the current Qatari regime that used to claim support for democracy and change for Arab countries through its media,” Naggar noted; adding that “now the Qatari people are calling for the change.”

Tamim freezes bank accounts of opposition
Qatari opposition said on social media that Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani froze the bank accounts of two ruling family members; Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al-Thani and Sultan bin Suhaim Al-Thani, who have shown huge criticism to Tamim’s policies lately.
Opposition against Tamim intensifies at home and abroad

Earlier, there was an escalation from the Qatari ruling family against Tamim. A prominent member of Qatar’s ruling family, and former Qatari foreign minister, Sheikh Sultan bin Suhaim repeated calls for a national meeting of the ruling family’s elders to put an end to the current rift. He stated that “[we] can no longer remain quiescent towards it.”

Who would rule Qatar after Tamim?

Amid unstable circumstances in Qatar following the recent Qatari crisis, there are anticipations on the possible candidates to rule Qatar after Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani. Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani, son of the late Emir of Qatar Ali bin Abdullah Al-Thani, is the forerunner candidate to succeed Tamim, according to Egypt Today’s previous interviews of political professors.