JEDDAH: Following high profile meetings with the Saudi leadership which resulted in King Salman ordering the easing of border restrictions and offering to cover all costs for Qatari pilgrims who wish to embark on this year's Hajj, the recently-launched Twitter account of Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al-Thani, a senior member of the Qatari royal family, became an instant hit among Arabs who voiced hope that he could achieve a full reconciliation between Doha and members of the Anti-Terror Quartet (ATQ), including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt.
Last night Sheikh Abdullah used his first Twitter post to thank Saudi King Salman for ensuring that Qatari pilgrims can take part in this year’s Hajj.
شكراً ياخادم الحرمين وشكراً يا ولي العهد على استقبال وإكرام أخيكم وقبول وساطته وهذا طبع إخوان نورة.
— عبدالله علي آل ثاني (@abdullahthanii) August 18, 2017
Sheikh Abdullah is regarded an influential mediator, both in Saudi Arabia and scores the region, given that he is a member of the Qatari royal family. His grandfather was the third ruler of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassem Al-Thani, his father was the fourth ruler of Qatar, Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al-Thani, and his brother was the fifth ruler of Qatar, Sheikh Ahmed bin Ali Al-Thani.
Sheikh Abdullah also tweeted that he requested that King Salman establish a hotline for Qataris who wish to visit relatives in Saudi Arabia.
ماوجدته من حرص الملك سلمان والأمير محمد بن سلمان على الشعب القطري دعاني لطلب تخصيص رقم للاتصال لتسهيل زيارات القطريين لأقاربهم وحلالهم.
— عبدالله علي آل ثاني (@abdullahthanii) August 18, 2017
“The king, as usual, approved my request and ordered the allocation of a special operations room to handle Qatari affairs run by a Saudi crew under my supervision, in the light of the severed ties (between the two countries).”
تفضل الملك كعادته بالموافقة وأمر بتخصيص غرفة عمليات خاصة بطاقم سعودي تتولى شؤون القطريين وتكون تحت إشرافي في ظل قطع العلاقات
— عبدالله علي آل ثاني (@abdullahthanii) August 18, 2017
He went on to share the hotline number, saying: “The special operations room for (the) Qatari people — from pilgrims (to) visitors and business owners — (is) 00966122367999.”
غرفة العمليات الخاصة لخدمة الشعب القطري تتولى جميع طلبات القطريين من حجاج وزوار وأصحاب حلال ورقمها 00966122367999
— عبدالله علي آل ثاني (@abdullahthanii) August 18, 2017
He added: “I call on all my brothers in Qatar, and those in need, to contact the number and their matters will be solved, God willing.”
أدعو كل ذي حاجة أو طلب من أهلي وإخواني في قطر الاتصال بالرقم الموضح وأمورهم محلولة إن شاء الله
— عبدالله علي آل ثاني (@abdullahthanii) August 18, 2017
Al-Thani later addressed rumors that Qatari currency would no longer be allowed in Saudi Arabia, saying: “I asked my brother, the governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA), about the accuracy of the suspension of the Qatari Riyal exchange for Qatari citizens and (he) denied the news.”
سألت أخي معالي محافظ مؤسسة النقد السعودي عن صحة إيقاف صرف الريال القطري للمواطنين القطريين فأكد أن لاصحة لذلك إطلاقا.
— عبدالله علي آل ثاني (@abdullahthanii) August 18, 2017
Meanwhile, many other users suggested he is a “sheikh of wisdom, voice of reason and a mediator for good”
Others, mainly media personalities linked to Doha, have been skeptical of Sheikh Abdullah’s efforts and sought to ridicule his role and say that he does not represent the Qatari people or government.
For his part, Sheikh Abdullah went on to explain the intentions behind his mediation efforts, saying that he is working for the benefit and comfort of the Qatari people.
“The descendant of the rulers came looking for the interests of the brotherly Qatari people after the politically-adolescent approach adopted by the government of Qatar,” said one Twitter user.
سليل الحكام جاء يبحث عن مصلحة الشعب القطري الشقيق بعد المراهقة السياسية التي اتخذتها حكومة قطر .#عبدالله_ال_ثاني_نورت_التويتر pic.twitter.com/g6dOd4EGcD
— عبدالله البندر (@a_albander) August 18, 2017
Earlier, the Saudi king approved a plan to re-open the Salwa border crossing between Saudi Arabia and Qatar and also approved the dispatch of a private aircraft from Saudia’s fleet to Doha to fly Qatari pilgrims to Jeddah.
Qatari pilgrims were also allowed to pass through the border crossing for Hajj without electronic permits.
It has been nearly three months since the Anti-Terror Quartet (Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt) severed ties with Doha over accusations of its support for terror and meddling in the internal affairs of its neighbors. Many world leaders and top diplomats, including the emir of Kuwait, have tried mediating but none have been successful in ending the rift.
