GATESTONE
by Khaled Abu Toameh
February 26, 2015

The Egyptians are furious with U.S. President Barack Obama for meeting in the White House this week with the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. They say that the Obama Administration has once again turned its back on moderate Arabs and Muslims by endorsing those who support and fund Islamic terror groups. The meeting between Obama and the emir of Qatar came shortly after Egypt accused the emirate of supporting terrorism. Obama was quoted as saying that “Qatar is a strong partner in our coalition to degrade and ultimately defeat ISIL. We are both committed to making sure that ISIL [ISIS/Islamic State] is defeated, to making sure that in Iraq there is an opportunity for all people to live together in peace.” Obama’s decision to host the emir of Qatar and his ensuing statements in praise of the emirate’s role in “combating” the Islamic State have drawn sharp criticism from the Egyptians and other Arabs and Muslims. READ MORE