EXCLUSIVE: MB leaders lure young members into joining Qatari army

CAIRO – 19 October 2017: Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood leaders in Qatar have been luring young Brotherhood members into joining the Qatari army in exchange for financial benefits and indefinite residence in Qatar, an Arab high-ranking security official revealed exclusively to Egypt Today.

The source indicated the new Egyptian recruits would be granted the Qatari citizenship a year after joining, besides further benefits that would allow them to work in prominent government sectors in the future.

Each recruit is paid a monthly salary of no less than $2,500, whereas college graduates are paid even more; excluding accommodation and transportation benefits. Engineers and bachelors of science holders are recruited and sent to study expensive courses abroad to learn how to operate modern devices and equipment.

The source revealed that subsequent to amending some of its legal articles, Qatar has permitted and recruited non-Qataris in its army; some 850 of those who joined lately are Egyptian members of the Brotherhood.

The source revealed that Pakistanis, Indians and Turks work for the Qatari Army as well. Around 20 percent of Qatari army personnel are Africans, who were recruited specifically for border control. The source also revealed that some 90 percent of pilots in the Qatari Air Force are foreigners and Arabs, not Qataris.

Qatar established companies for imports, exports and real-estate that target hiring foreign workers. Workers’ visas are sent to these companies under the pretext of employment when in fact they are hired as soldier recruits for the Qatari army.

These companies are awarded financially from Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s family. Some companies were reportedly awarded $100,000 for recruiting many young people from different nationalities to join the Qatari army.

Al-Qaradawi has issued a fatwa (religious ruling) recently stating that non-Qataris working in Qatar are obliged to defend their country of employment; encouraging many youth to join the army.


Additional reporting by Mirit Agaiby.