In the context of Hamas' deadly October 7, 2023 attack against Israel, the Qatari daily Al-Sharq published, on November 1, 2023, a poem by journalist and poet Ali Al-Mas'oudi which glorifies the "heroic" fighters who attacked the Jews and urges them to keep fighting in order to attain Paradise. Calling the Jews enemies who are "steeped with innate treachery" and who "turned into apes and swine already in the days of their forefathers," the poem commends the fighters for considering death "but a trifle" compared to the Al-Aqsa mosque, and promises that victory will be theirs.
It should be noted that the Qatar has for years been financing Hamas' military buildup and harboring its leaders, and the Qatari media has served as a mouthpiece for the movement's messages. Since the October 7 attack the Qatari media has consistently expressed unreserved support for Hamas and its attack, and blaming Israel for the escalation and the suffering of the Gazans. [1] As part of this, the Qatari press has published two other poems glorifying the Hamas attack.[2]
The poem in the Qatari daily Al-Sharq
The following is a translation of the poem:[3]
"Aim [your weapon] at the neck of the enemy who comes in ways of deception.
He approaches you with a soul steeped in innate treachery.
Paradise is ready for you,
It is gazing, yearning for your arrival, and the cursing enemy shall be disgraced.
Stand fast, for the nations whom you inspire
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Follow you as an emblem of towering leadership.
You shall break every arrow they shoot at you.
Draw your sword and stand tall, you are the hero.
Death is but a trifle in your eyes, compared to the liberation of our mosque.
How great our joy, this is the way to act.
Oh staunch supporter of Truth, our qibla [Jerusalem]
Has been saturated with a gracious rain that you inspired.
We were parched and you brought us abundant rains.
May Allah illuminate the face of the pleader.
But the Jews, they turned into apes and swine already in the days of their forefathers.
Cleave to the guidance of the Prophets.
The people of the diaspora [i.e., the Jews] came to us in gangs
They will all be defeated, for the days bring change:
The Deal of the Century was stillborn,
And the conquerors, Allah willing, have arrived. "
[1] See MEMRI reports: MEMRI Daily Brief No. 536 - Qatar – Enabler Of Islamist Terrorism And A Dishonest Broker – November 1, 2023; Special Dispatch No. 10872 - Qatar Enabling Hamas' War Against Israel – October 15, 2023; Special Dispatch No. 10910 - Qatari Media Compare Israel To Nazis, Netanyahu To Hitler, Gaza To Auschwitz – October 27, 2023; Special Dispatch No. 10879 - Presenters, Reporters From Qatar's Al-Jazeera Praise Hamas Attack, Celebrate Israel's Disaster – October 17, 2023; Special Dispatch No. 10909 - Qatari Press Attacks U.S., West For Their Support Of Israel: They Are Complicit In Its Crimes And Pose A Threat To Democracy And Morality; The U.S. Itself Won Its Independence By Means Of Terror – October 26, 2023.
[2] See Special Dispatch No. 10887 - In Qatari Daily, Poem Of Praise For Hamas Attack: 'Falling In Battle As A Martyr Is Not Falling; It Is The Beginning Of Victory, And Exaltedness – October 19, 2023; Special Dispatch No. 10862 - Poem In Qatari Daily Praises, Encourages Hamas Terrorists: 'Rise Up, Oh Resistance Fighter… Victory Is Nigh; Saddle Your Horses And Charge'; 'Spill The Blood Of Sacrifice For [Islam's] Sake' – October 13, 2023.
[3] Al-Sharq (Qatar), November 1, 2023.
