It’s a diplomatic row that has shaken the Middle East, threatened to split up families and placed a normally wealthy nation on the verge of food crisis.
There has been very little to laugh about since several Gulf nations imposed an air and land embargo of Qatar last week, severing diplomatic ties and giving Qatari residents a matter of days to leave.
Still, one trend has been tickling tummies online: #QatariStomach
The perplexing hashtag went viral after the editor-in-chief of Saudi newspaper Okaz claimed that Qatar will not be able to withstand the blockade as the “Qatari stomach will not be able to get used to Turkish and Iranian products.”
Saudi Okaz EIC: "Qatari stomach can't get used to Turkish food". This isn't The Onion,it's AlArabiyapic.twitter.com/RpPl6AkUsG #المعده_القطرية
— ريم الحرمي (@Reem_AlHarmi) June 12, 2017
Jamil Al-Ziabi made the comments on the Al-Arabiya channel, in response to expressions of Iranian and Turkish support for the otherwise isolated Qatar.
Iran reportedly sent five planes of fresh produce to the tiny Gulf nation on Saturday, and promised to continue sending daily supplies, after Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE stopped exporting food to their import-dependent neighbor.
Meanwhile, it was reported yesterday that Turkey had so far sent Doha 15 planes of food, including mostly dairy products.
Qataris soon took to social media to respond to the claims that their stomachs just could not handle the new flavors:
Street no. 726
Villa no. 98
I need medical attention,
My stomuch could not handle these dairy products..#المعده_القطريه pic.twitter.com/4ODPMiR1UV— Yoncé Al Dosari (@Yoncecece) June 12, 2017
I want to laugh, but the Turkish suhoor I had last night is giving my spoiled sensitive Qatar stomach groans
— Mohammed Makki (@Makks) June 12, 2017
Our stomachs!!Are they feeling jealous too hello Saudi products I'll buy Turkish food forever #KatarYalnızDeğildir #المعده_القطريه pic.twitter.com/GjXpgZI2qh
— نُوُر | م (@noor3yna) June 12, 2017
@AlArabiya : turkish milk is poisoning your stomach
— AK (@anoudyi) June 12, 2017
: #المعده_القطريه pic.twitter.com/Smvgi1dbdI
So comforting to know the Saudis care so much about our digestive system. #المعدة_القطرية
— amna (@ssolardeity) June 12, 2017
#المعده_القطريه I just drank a Turkish Laban! Am I going to be ok? I need an 'expert' opinion pic.twitter.com/6UONCFNZFk
— A (@aljawharaMA) June 12, 2017
Some Turks even got involved:
Here is the solution: Turkish soda/sparkling water is great for stomach issues #المعده_القطريه pic.twitter.com/ZYMe0ABWbr
— Sümeyye (@Naleena_) June 12, 2017
Brothers and sisters No worries we will send you Turkish mineral water (Soda) it is great for all stomach problems :) #المعدة_القطرية pic.twitter.com/Ehuedp0D68
— Muhammed (@cyhnlu) June 12, 2017
RA
