Expatriates celebrate 100-days of the unjust blockade imposed on Qatar by three Gulf countries, expressing their trust, safety and satisfaction they feel without having any apprehensions about their future in the host state.
The blockade has not only failed in affecting routine life here but has also not been able to shake expatriates’ trust on the country’s future as many are still bringing their families to Qatar by seeking residence visas. Also some expatriates are seeking for job opportunities and others look for better job openings, as they intend to continue stay in the country. Several expatriates claimed Qatar is the safest place in the world with the most humble people, who stood with expats during the siege as one nation.
Khalid Mehmood, a Pakistani expat told The Peninsula: “ We have successfully survived 100 days of siege. The siege has become a blessing in disguise and has made the State of Qatar stand tall in the world political arena. These crises have united the Qatari nation with a new feeling and sense of nationalism whereby each and every individual whether he is a Qatari or non Qatari has joined the hands of the wise leadership to counter the challenge of the siege.”
Another expat from Egypt said: “ I have been here in Doha for 19 years now. My children call Qatar their hometown as they are born here. Qatar has never given us impact that the blockade exists, we were living a normal and secure life all these years and 100-days of blockade as well.”
Expats think that Qatar is the best and safest place, where they quote Qatar is a haven for all nationalities. During the siege the hardworking people of Qatar have shown to the world with strong faith that they have the capacity to come out as winners and real champions. Two expats based in Qatar hoisted Qatar’s flag at the top of Mt Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe, to express solidarity with the country against the illegal blockade during the 100-days of blockade. “I was raised in Qatar and I always searched for a channel to pay back to this great community while learning new things,” Rehan said.
Muhammad Akhtar, General Manager at Re-bar Steel and Fabrication, said: “As a building materials supplier, we have overcome effects of blockade quickly because the government has provided full support and facilities to adopt different measures. I laud Qatar’s diplomacy for their timely and tireless actions which made fabrications and false accusations against Qatar fall apart.”
