Women on Qatar Emir’s Abdication

      The Emir of Qatar abdicated in favor his 33-year-old-son on June 25, 2013. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani announced the long-rumored decision on national television. “Teach your children the best of what you have been taught for they have been created for a time different than yours," he told his people. Seven female leaders from five Arab countries — Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco and Syria — were asked how the power transfer to Tamim bin Hamad al Thani could impact the region.
      Half of the respondents thought Qatar’s influence in the region may recede. Two thought the new emir may reconsider its reported support for the Muslim Brotherhood. A Jordanian woman noted that Doha has its own pressing issues, such as implementing the new constitution and holding elections for the advisory Shura council. The following are the women’s responses arranged by country.

Bahrain

Mariam al Rowaie, Women's rights activist, Former President of the Bahrain Women Union

            The emir’s ceding of power to his son may have large-scale implications for the region, but mainly for Syria. He will control Qatar’s funds, which have reportedly been used to support religious extremists fighting the Syrian regime. But some are bent on disrupting coexistence between different communities in Syria. Some of the extremists want to establish a caliphate and have already applied Islamic law in some the regions they control.
            Yet Qatar, to some extent, has been taken out of the regional equation regarding Syria. Other actors dictated a specific role for Qatar to play in Syria. But Doha overreached and tried to use its money to increase its stature. Now those actors may make room for more loyal and experienced players than Qatar.

Iraq

Hana’a Hamood Abbas, President of Rafidain Women’s Coalition

            I do not expect a significant change in Qatar’s policy because the new emir was crown prince since 2003. His father may have feared the power of the youth’s spirit, leading him to step down. But the appointment of his 33-year-old son is hopefully a sign for future changes.

Athra al Hassani, Director of Model Iraqi Women Organization

            The abdication of the emir in favor of his son may have been a concession to foreign powers. Qatar’s role in the region may become more complex since the new emir seems to have plans to work broadly in the region. Doha’s actions could inflame sectarianism in many countries. The increase in sectarian violence is already visible in Egypt, Iraq and Syria. But many in the region hope that the new emir will enact less intrusive policies on neighboring countries.

Dr. Amira Albaldawi, Chair of Um al Yateem Foundation

            The acceleration of events in the region since the Arab uprisings, especially in Syria, has already pushed Emir Tamim to make some changes. He reportedly gave Sheikh Yusuf al Qaradawi 48 hours to leave Qatar. Qaradawi has no formal connection to the Muslim Brotherhood but is widely considered the movement’s spiritual leader. Tameem’s decision may signal a change in Qatar’s foreign policy. Perhaps it will stop interfering in uprisings and transitions elsewhere in the Arab world. I hope that Qatar will spend its resources on supporting poor countries and solving social crises in the region.  

Jordan

Wafaa Bani Mustafa, Member of Parliament

            Some observers considered the emir’s abdication as a message to Arab leaders to create space for the youth’s energy. But Sheikh Hamad was also keen to reinforce the authority of his son to ensure that no one will undermine the family’s rule. Qatar has a long history of coups.
            Doha has sponsored change in the Arab region, mainly through its alliance with the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists following the Arab uprisings. But hopefully the new government will refocus on internal reforms, such as implementing the new constitution and holding elections for the advisory Shura council — an empty institution whose current members are all appointees.

Morocco

Hasnaa Chehabi, Chair of the Women, Water and Environment Society

            The abdication was really a message to all the emirs of the Gulf states to step down before they pass away. The power transfer indicates a step towards modernity and progress for the royal institution, which has long been authoritarian. The former emir set a precedent. But the question remains, why did he pick the son of his favorite wife, Sheikha Mouza?

Syria

Mouna Ghanem, Deputy President of Building the Syrian State movement

            Qatar’s change in leadership will likely reduce its influence in the region. Doha has had its hands in the affairs of several countries since the 2011 Arab uprisings. But Qatar’s unconstructive interference — especially support for the Muslim Brotherhood — may be scaled back, commensurate with its small size. The new emir issued a congratulatory message to Egypt after President Mohamed Morsi was ousted, an unusual move for Qatar.

Photo Credit: Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington, D.C. and diwan.gov.qa