No disgruntled people turned out to protest against Qatar’s Emir, the country’s relationship with the U.S. or its first lady today. This was not a surprise to most people in Qatar.
Reports had drummed up the possibility of protests here in Qatar this afternoon. According to a Facebook communique, the alleged plan was to meet at Fanar Islamic Center near Souq Wagif and to march over to the Emir’s palace, “demanding regime change and removal of the royal family.”
I showed up around 4 p.m. and noticed nothing out of the ordinary. I didn’t even see any police in the area. I did encounter a young Qatari man who had heard about the “protests” on Twitter and came to satisfy his curiosity.
The Gulf Blog also turned out, filing this report:
Breaking news here from your blogger at the heart of the action in downtown Qatar. With a daring and commendable lack of heed for his own personal safety and blind to the numerous dangers ever present for intrepid reporters in these increasingly trying days, I – yes, I in person, on the ground – bring YOU the very latest of latest information about the scheduled protests in Qatar:-
Nada. Zilch. Rien. Sefer. Nuffin. Sweet F.A. Diddly squat. Bupkus.
Indeed.