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'Glorious Tamim': Qatar mobile firms back emir with network name change

Vodafone and Ooredoo pledge support to Sheikh Tamim amid Gulf crisis with Saudi Arabian-led quartet of powers
'Glorious Tamim' will be the new name of Vodafone and other networks in Qatar (Reuters)

Qatari mobile phone services Vodafone and Ooredoo dialled up their support on Friday for the country's emir by changing the name of their networks to 'Glorious Tamim'. However, their tweet and Facebook post was quickly taken down. Vodafone Qatar has not yet released a message why the posts were removed.

Translation: Dearest user, the name of the network has been changed to #Glorious_Tamim. There is no greater pride for our network than to carry the name of His Highness the Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani

The move comes amid tensions between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, who last month announced the severing of all diplomatic ties over allegations Doha bankrolled "terrorists" and had close ties with Saudi arch-rival, Iran.

Vodafone Qatar recently appointed a new chief operating officer and member of the Qatari royal family, Hamad bin Abdullah al-Thani. 

Vodophone does not operate in Saudi Arabia or the UAE.

Many Qatari citizens supported for the move, taking to social media using the hashtag #تميم_المجدُ (#Glorious_Tamim) to convey their approval of the decision by the telecommunication firms.

https://twitter.com/SAVAX19_/status/883352345517719554
https://twitter.com/anoonii_/status/883277925755179008

Translation: "Qatar will always be free, elevated by the spirits of the loyal" . Dearest user, the name of the network has changed from 'Ooredoo' to 'Tamim almajd' (Glorious Tamim) #We_Are_All_Qatar

This move by the two telecommunication firms is similar to that seen recently in Saudi Arabia, where McDonald's and Burger King pledged their allegiance to the new crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman.

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