The difference between TV ‘serial’ and the parliament
“WHEN the Kuwaiti Ministry of Information announced the referral of the cast of the Ramadan series “One Wife is Not Enough” to the Public Prosecution, under the pretext that “the role of the Ministry of Information is to preserve the values and traditions of Kuwaiti society... and advance public taste,” I was drawn to a tweet that supported a question within its lines,” columnist Iqbal Al-Ahmad wrote for Al-Qabas daily
“The Ministry of Information also decided to “stop anyone who participated in any artistic work that offends Kuwaiti society from participating in any artistic or theatrical works that are filmed or shown inside Kuwait.”
“The Ministry’s decision came against the backdrop of intense campaigns on social media criticizing the series, which deals with the story of polygamy, in addition to other social issues. Many demanded that this show be stopped.
“Many described the series as bold and offensive to Kuwaiti society and damaging its image, and because its content is not compatible with the principle of preserving the values and traditions of Kuwaiti society, and highlighting its true image and adherence to values and morals, because it, that is, the series, touches on sensitive issues in marital life and family relations.
“I very much liked the tweet, which I read on the “X” platform, which says: “If we convince the world that the declining Ramadan series do not represent us... how can we convince them that the decline in dialogue in the National Assembly does not represent us... and this honorable representative received the largest number of voters’ votes.” ..!”
“Certainly, the tweeter is referring in his words to some of what the candidates said during their seminars in the recent elections, which in their vocabulary exceeded respect and the principles of speech in our authentic Kuwaiti society.
“It is no secret to anyone that in many of the nation’s previous assemblies, the dialogues of some representatives reached a lower level, whether through vocabulary or exchanges of words, reason, or cups of water.
“It would be great if there were keenness on the part of the concerned authorities, the first of which is the National Assembly, to stop those who set a bad example in the style of dialogue, discussion and expression of opinion under the dome of Abdullah Al-Salem Hall, which attracts attention and arouses more interest than soap operas.
“The matter of parliamentary immunity, which has been used as a shield against accountability and responsibility, should not hinder the efforts to uphold privacy and ethical standards within Kuwaiti society, particularly within the National Assembly. We have been closely monitoring recent media coverage surrounding the series ‘One Wife is Not Enough,’ and it is imperative that we address these issues without any hindrance from immunity provisions.
“Although I personally have a special opinion regarding these Ministry of Information procedures, what concerns me is that muscle flexing should not be only in a specific area and not in other areas in Kuwait, which may be much more important.
“Morals are morals, principles are principles. They cannot be mixed here or ignored there.”
Also:
“Citizens are looking forward to the beginning of the new Parliament being the beginning of complete harmony between the two authorities, as everyone is keen for the two authorities to devote themselves to adopting development projects for the benefit of citizens,” columnist Abdul Mohsen Muhammad Al-Husseini wrote for Al-Anba daily.
“Kuwait is everyone’s country, and there is no doubt that everyone is keen for the relationship between the two authorities to prevail in complete understanding. The next stage is considered an important stage in progress towards building a bright future for Kuwait, a country for everyone.
“‘We are all for Kuwait and Kuwait is for us.’ This is the slogan announced by His Highness the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad after the complete liberation of the pure soil of Kuwait from the treacherous occupier. We hope that the two authorities will circulate this slogan so that the members of the two authorities focus their deliberations in the council on the public interest of the Kuwaitis and Kuwait, and that everyone’s loyalty is to Kuwait, everyone’s homeland.
“Let us begin with the slogan of our late Amir, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad, ‘We are all for Kuwait and Kuwait is for us,’ so that the wheel of development and progress moves in our dear Kuwait.
“The people of Kuwait are still committed to the covenant and commitment to the ‘Jeddah Conference,’ in which Kuwait pledged with the ruling family to reconcile, fully cooperate, and prevent all attempts to spread discord.
“Let our slogan be the interest of Kuwait above all differences, and we are confident of the next government’s keenness to fully cooperate with the National Assembly to adopt the most successful development projects to build a prosperous future for our homeland, Kuwait, which is considered the home of everyone.
“We also feel the members of the National Assembly are keen that their work during the next phase be aimed at achieving full cooperation with the government so that we can continue the achievements that were made during the eras of our honorable former rulers.
“From the sayings of the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad, may God have mercy on him, God willing ‘The status and distinguished international reputation that Kuwait has achieved is due to the cohesion and solidarity of the people of this country, and today more than ever we must preserve these qualities.’ The authenticity of our one Kuwaiti family, and that we nurture it and increase its trust over the days. God bless.”
❑ ❑ ❑
“The style of parliamentary elections and peoples of the world… The election of an individual among the people to represent them in the corridors of parliaments is an established right of the human being who lives in countries where solid democratic rules prevail. This has been in place since ancient times, as many nations tried it in their political life. This principle was applied in countries, peoples and civilizations of the previous world -- in Rome, Sparta, Greece, Britain and France, as well as America recently, and the rest of the countries of the modern world that follow the civilized democratic system,” columnist Mohammad Salem Al-Balhan wrote for Al-Qabas daily.
“Most of these modern countries, whose peoples live in our current era, have adopted partisanship -- the basic rule for the voter and the elected. This is according to clear rules, evidence, regulations and principles that the elected and the voter follow in representing their party in Parliament. Naturally, the elected member provides the texts and an action plan that defines the aims of his party, which he can use in his mission. Based on what the senior leadership of his party deems appropriate, he works with all his energies to ensure the successful implementation and effectiveness of party instructions, which aim to do everything in the interest of the country.
“As for whoever wins parliamentary membership in those countries, other than the party that wins the majority of votes, he usually joins the so-called parliamentary opposition bloc, the task of which is to supervise the functioning of a system pledged by the ruling party and to oppose anything that is not in the interest of the country. In this case, the elected member will walk to his seat in the legislative hall armed with a road map to facilitate his task, as he will work according to the opinions and instructions he has been provided with.
“One of the provisions of this rule adopted by European countries and America is that whoever obtains the majority parliamentary votes from the political parties assumes the task of heading the State and forming the government, in which the majority consists of members of the ruling party, as is the practice under the American system or the system of some European countries.
“In the United States and elsewhere, they appoint the head of State from the elected party, and the government usually works according to the instructions of the ruling party. Some countries take this rule as the basis for political action. In Africa, for example, the party that wins the election brings the head of State, and the government is formed by its majority. This is also the case in Latin America including Brazil.
“However, some countries in the whole world and in our third world in particular, do not adhere to this rule. They rather work according to what they see as good for the country and the people. These countries are not satisfied with partisanship. They are satisfied with the general system that unites rather than divide.
“May Allah grant everyone goodness, security and peace.”