‘Need to keep communal cohesion’

‘Media must enhance awareness’

“WE HAVE no doubt about the state of global panic that has resulted from the spread of the novel coronavirus which has hit the entire world to such an extent many Western ‘advanced’ states are currently unable to encounter this virus and this can be mostly ascribed to the weakness of their medical sector in addition to domination by business firms in these states,” columnist wrote for daily.

“But it is needless to say the state natural panic has unfortunately been transformed for some among us into unjustifiable panic towards expatriates (residents) in the country.

“In this context, we have observed how expatriates have been targeted to such an extent they have been threatened and some people hold them responsible for the spread of the virus in contradiction with the simplest respect and appreciation and even rationality.

“In this connection, we refer to what has been published in the social media which shows citizens stopping expatriates in the streets of the Jaber Al-Ahmad and hurling baseless accusations at them following which they are released by the Ministry of Interior without leveling any charges against them.

“However, it is needless to say such behavior doesn’t hurt the expatriates only, it rather harms the citizens in general and the children and elderly people in particular if such a state of panic finds its way to them and as such this is likely to make them commit ‘crimes’ as a result of this panic and it will eventually lead to the spread of this virus.

“As a matter of fact, we at the moment need communal cohesion. In other words, as we have denounced sectarianism from which some people are suffering psychologically, which some tried to promote immediately after the outbreak of the virus just for the sake of mean electoral gains.

“We at the moment denounce a state of panic that has been directed against the expatriates in the country, because this situation will not serve anyone, rather it will impede the efforts that have been exerted by the Ministry of Health to get rid of the disease.

“However, in spite of the freak accusations that have been leveled at the expatriates, the naked fact is the Kuwaitis have proved its significant awareness in terms of rejecting racist topics during the time of crises.

“In the meantime, these people have emphasized that cohesion among its communal components must he held above banal issues which we unfortunately are on the verge of falling victim to due to some electoral gains as some people are ready to burn the country for the sake of achieving their mean objectives.

“In conclusion, we suggest the government media must hasten to enhance people’s awareness and elucidate the severe consequences of racism in general and under the current circumstances in particular. As such, we hope the government will understand the Kuwaiti people’s state of awareness at the end of the current crisis.”

“We hope Almighty God will support our objective.”

Al-Zaid

“When an economic, political or health disaster such as the current terrible novel coronavirus (COVID-19) occurs, we notice how some top media voices ignore the origin of the problem and issue messages on social media against the expatriate workforce in the country in an unjustifiable and hysterical manner and insist on expelling and besieging them”, columnist and professor at Kuwait University

wrote for daily. “In fact, it will not come as a surprise if some people will emerge to request the government to “execute the expatriates with bullets” and not just throw them in the desert.

“It is painful indeed to see some people currently striving to undermine the image of our community – the community of humanity, love and mercy, motivated by their belief that their behavior is patriotic in nature and they are truly expressing their love towards this country. However, they do not realize that such a behavior is rash and racist, and undermines the image of the country on both internal and external levels.

“Oh masters, the foreign manpower currently in the country are poor people who came to our country from poor countries through Kuwaiti residency traffickers and owners of mock companies that are registered under Ministry of Commerce and Industry as well as owners of inflated files at the Public Authority for Manpower which is affiliated to Ministry of Social Affairs.

“If the government and the parliament seriously strive to shoulder their responsibility, then the two authorities should hasten towards expelling, besieging and bringing to trial the residency traffickers before expelling, besieging and bringing to trial the expatriate workers, especially the marginal ones.

“A question we ask is - Will the relevant traffickers be brought to trial for perpetuating crimes against the country’s population structure and exhausting the resources of the country?

“This will actually be the test, although I personally doubt the aforementioned will be achieved, because residency trading is an active market in Kuwait, and the traffickers constitute a strong and unrivaled pressure lobby in the country. Their identities and level of influence are known. Such being the case and based on my own allegation, their impact will continue and the growth of their role will persist without any obstacles. I therefore believe they will not face any kind of harm, not even the slightest kind.”

“The superiority and distinction of the government in managing the corona crisis in general, the tireless efforts and direct supervision of officials, and coordination between all government and even non-government institutions, signal the rebirth of the State of institutions which we have been missing for a very long time. This should be the norm, not only during crises,” columnist wrote for daily.

“The efficiency of the government, along with its services and seriousness, demonstrate that we have the will and ability to face any challenges which the country might encounter. This proves that resolving any issue is within our grasp and within the capabilities of the government.

“This also makes us believe that anything positive can be achieved, irrespective of local political differences, and that anything can be achieved through a government that is sincere in its performance, intentions and directions.

“Perhaps, there is a silver lining in this corona crisis. We pray to Almighty Allah to spare us from its negative impact and repercussions, and may He, the Almighty, protect us from it sooner, rather than later.

“The crisis has revealed the truth about the State’s abilities and capabilities. It is able to lead effectively and successfully for the nation to overcome this crisis or crises if there is desire, will and determination.

“Today, there is no compromise in restoring the sincere reform approach and to fiercely tackle the backwardness which years of slackness and negligence have rendered the country sluggish in its development movement in almost all aspects due to widespread corruption in almost all levels of the society.”

“Nonetheless, the time is now, no excuse should be tolerated in continuing with the way the corona crisis is being handled orderly, in exerting the same efforts in tackling everything else that has been hindering the desired development and progress in the supreme interest of the nation.

“Time has come to change and move towards the right path, as Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran: ‘…Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of a nation until they change what is in themselves...’”

“He did not wish to bid farewell to us except in his usual tragic way. In light of this global panic caused by the epidemic that swept the world, artiste Suleiman Yassin Bukanan left us safely. He introduced himself to me when he came to my office at Kuwait University in Shuwaikh in 2007. At the time, he wanted to congratulate me personally as I was honored by the French Foreign Ministry. I won the award for ‘Future Persons Program’. I was honored for my tireless work in strengthening cultural and scientific relations between Kuwait University and the French scientific institutions,” columnist, Professor at Kuwait University’s Political Science Department and Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Information wrote for daily.

“He was a great lover of this French-speaking culture and everything related to Kuwait and France. His love was not limited to this culture not only because of his French wife, from whom he has two daughters, one of whom works in Canada and the other works and lives in Paris with her French mother. He said in his last appearance on Kuwait TV in May 2019, that love hides a great culture behind him and the love, knowledge and openness to acceptance of others and their opinions and that the difference does not spoil friendliness, culture, race, and ethnic diversity and the differences melt among nations.

“Suleiman Al-Yassin is known for his famous appearance in the play ‘Al-Wawi’ with the participation of creative actors Abdullah Al-Hubail and Muhammad Al-Swari’a, in this beautiful time where art like a mirror reflected the problems of society, its reality and its effects.”

“Suleiman bid farewell after reminding us about the homeland, national cohesion, tolerance of the other, and taking up our issues boldly without the need to be ashamed for doing so. For me, that is a great message.”

“There is big difference in the meanings of two words: ‘Al-Tawakul’ (trusting in Allah accompanied with exerting efforts) which means considering the reasons first and then the causes, while ‘Al- Tawa’akul’ (dependency) is a word that means inaction and laziness without taking into consideration the reasons or data. This leads to lethargy and inactivity, and then failure in all matters,” columnist

wrote for daily. “Therefore, the first ingredient of victory and success is the introduction of causes and diligence in working on them, because life was not created for a helpless or lazy person who claims to trust without knowing the deep meanings and great goals.

“I say that, and I am very confident that we will have an amazing victory over coronavirus. My statement is not based on vilified sorcery, speculation or reading in a cup as fortune tellers do, or stray thoughts like the anti-Christ. I depend on evidence and data ... evidence and introductions that lead you to reliable results and commendable consequences.

“Among these data, for example, are what we see daily from the beginning of the emergence of the virus. So far, the tremendous efforts exerted in this regard and ways to contain the virus make us recognize that victory in this viral battle will be ours. Escape from its evils is just around the corner, God willing.”

“With the departure of Yusuf Al-Hajji, Muslim world has lost one of its significant icons, the “Imam of charitable acts”, columnist wrote for daily.

“The late Al-Hajji founded, contributed to and participated in building the most important humanitarian/charitable establishments and Islamic bank, and also dedicated his life to doing acts of charity without specifying any field of operation beginning with the Islamic charity organization and the first Sharia compliant Islamic Bank and Kuwait Red Crescent Society.

“Sheikh Yusuf Al-Hajji wasn’t just a preacher or keen on humanitarian work, he also had a smart economic and political mindset. He made countless contributions abroad to raise the standards of charity through his mammoth achievements”.

“Our new Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid, on whom the hopes of the people of this country lies - the people who are tired of corruption and devastation that has affected so many parts of the state except in very few places”, wrote for daily.

“His Highness Sheikh Sabah … allow me the audacity of offering you an advice as a patriot and compatriot. Kindly remove the members of the National Assembly under your cloak. Do not allow them to dare determine your options or priorities. Do not allow them to subdue you except in the interest of the nation and its people, and stand for those who are oppressed and aggrieved.

“Our hopes are high, Your Highness the Prime Minister ... We all know very well that whenever an official is clean, diligent and has high morality and self-confidence, no MP or official would dare interfere in his choices, decisions or convictions. This is our hope in you, Your Highness, and in all the righteous sons and daughters of this country.”

– Compiled by Zaki Taleb