We have entered the third year since the hacking of the Qatari News Agency (QNA) on and its Twitter feed, in the early hours of May 24, 2017. Hackers posted fabricated quotes attributed to Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in the website.
As something happened for the first time in Qatar, at the first moments it was a shocking news for everyone and the government announced that an investigation would be carried out to look into the matter. After two days of imposing the siege on Qatar, the investigations carried out by the Ministry of Interior confirmed that a cyber-bug in the QNA website was exploited by hackers using highly advanced methods.
But sooner everything was clear, when fake comments used as a pretext and the hacking was initial part of well set plan by a quartet of countries which imposed the ongoing illegal siege since June 5, 2017. A month after they made 13 “non-negotiable” demands on Qatar, which included closing of Al Jazeera.
The plan was to shock the country and its people to force them surrender to the aggressors but as H E Sheikh Saif bin Ahmed Al Thani, Director of the GCO, tweeted recently, some considered the incident a curse and for the nation it was a blessing in disguise. “Over the past two years, Qatar has successfully managed to present the proofs and facts and has made significant achievements under the leadership of H H the Amir and the efforts of its citizens and the residents” he added. No doubt that these achievements are a tight slap on the face of siege countries that imposed unjust blockade on Qatar.
The hacking incident was a component of a well-coordinated smear campaign designed to damage the image and reputation of the State of Qatar and undermine its sovereignty.
The efforts of siege countries have gone in vein as Qatar turned the blockade into a blessing in disguise. Since then Qatar has accomplished many strategic projects in different fields including many world class infrastructure projects like the Metro, very vital highways, projects of food and water security and many others achieving 100 percent self-sufficiency in dairy and fresh poultry products after unjust blockade. Qatar has made big strides in the last two years, despite unjust blockade imposed on it since June 5.
A total of 120 new factories have been established in Qatar since the siege and 60 more establishments are expected to be completed in 2019.
The State of Qatar today is stronger, more cohesive socially and stronger economically, according to the international institutions of economic classification, and closer and more cooperative and open to regional and international issues. Qatar today is playing a leading role in settling many regional disputes, and is always in the forefront to provide relief to the people affected by natural calamities and educate millions in different part of the world.
