Qatar marks end of Ramadan amid Saudi-led blockade

World Today

FILE- In this May 14, 2010 file photo, a Qatari woman walks in front of the city skyline in Doha, Qatar. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan ends as the Gulf region experiences a rise of in tensions–Qataris mark the Eid holiday during a Saudi-led blockade.

As a deadline nears for a list of 13 demands to end the blockade, Qataris seem unfazed.

CGTN’s Stephanie Freid explains why from Doha.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt have Qatar blocked from their air, land and sea routes. They accuse the Qatari government of supporting terrorism.

Later, those countries handed down a list of ultimatums for lifting the sanctions. The deadline to meet demands comes in 10 days.

“We are against this cruelty. What they are doing. This is not correct and this is…we are against it,” said one resident in Doha.

In the midst of the looming deadline, the Eid holiday festivities continue into the night, and worries did seem to not factor in. Government representatives handed out Eid gifts at a celebration, contributing to an overwhelming sense of assurance.

Despite the blockade and the threat of a complete cut off, Qatari residents were unfazed. “Our normal life is normal, actually. Nothing has been changed. If you go to the supermarket you can find anything. The blockade didn’t affect our life,” said another resident.

With Iran and Turkey pledging continued material and moral support, Qataris don’t anticipate lifestyle changes despite demands and deadlines.