20 years of patience
More than two months on, the blockade by the unholy alliance against Qatar continues. Gulf Twitter users that were holding a debate on shutting down Al Jazeera news channel are still beating the same old drum.
All the governments participating in the blockade issued a list of demands, which very specifically included shutting Al Jazeera down. It's been pointed out that the debate surrounding this demand is all but invalid, because it goes against international law, human rights laws, and in essence constitutes the interference in the affairs of a sovereign state.
Al Jazeera has been running now for more than 20 years, covering oppressed minorities in the Arab world and beyond. One of the few channels, and arguably the sole popular one, that gives voice to certain minorities has gained an international reputation for being a mediator in the world.
It's clear too that its success has not gone unnoticed. Twitter users that are against Al Jazeera's continued existence have been reposting a rather chilling quote from a Saudi prince: “We've been patient with Qatar's Al Jazeera for 20 years”.
The UAE ambassador to Russia has also stated that Al Jazeera should be shut down, because we simply do not have freedom of speech in the Gulf. This blockade only shows that the opposing faction in question is not only against Qatar, but against all the voiceless in the Middle East and beyond.
I do believe that injustice in one place can translate to injustice anywhere, and I do understand that certain dictatorships have no interest in civil rights or liberties, however, Qatar has a different direction. This direction is our last hope in the region to create dialogue and communication. While there is a long list of issues that I do not approve of Al Jazeera, I do not believe the censorship of this news channel is a solution.
Finally, I would like to point out that the blockading countries would find it convenient to shut down one of Qatar's greatest success stories because the truth and the reality should not be broadcast as far as they are concerned. The path to the truth is paved with disappointment and inconveniences, but Qatar has been willing to shoulder them with a good deal of grace and dignity thus far.
