Towards a new, confident Kuwait
Amir’s First Speech
KUWAIT: Let us embark on our journey together, working towards a new, confident Kuwait, prepared for the challenges of the future and able to embrace new opportunities, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah rallied the nation a decade ago. In his first speech after ascending to power as the Amir of Kuwait, His Highness addressed the loss of “our beloved Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah,” which “felt keenly by every Kuwaiti, for we all knew him as a generous, perceptive and compassionate man and as a wise, loving ruler.
He carried his responsibilities well, and fulfilled them with great skill. He made his life a time of continuous work, and devoted himself to Kuwait. He served as an example to us all of wisdom, fidelity, patience and intelligence. May Allah bless his soul.” His Highness Sheikh Sabah then talked about the chivalrous features of the late Father Amir Sheikh Saad AlAbdullah Al-Salem AlSabah, saying “the people of Kuwait should not forget someone who stood shoulder to shoulder with Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed - Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.”
“At crucial moments in Kuwait’s history, we have seen Sheikh Saad as a wise leader and a great thinker. Bad health may have prevented him from pursuing the national duties that he so loved, but his many great actions will guarantee him a place in the annals of Kuwait’s history and in the hearts and minds of the Kuwaiti people. He will forever be remembered as a man who molded the history of modern Kuwait.”
His Highness the Amir carried on saying: “Today, I promise you I will fulfill the trust you have placed in me, and lead our country forwards as my predecessors have done before me with wisdom and foresight. “I work only for you and for our country, Kuwait. Old and young, men and women, you are the very essence and strength of our land. A country depends on its people for its strength. Throughout the history of our nation, the Kuwaiti people have proved this time and time again for they love their homeland deeply.”
In the speech, His Highness the Amir asked the people to be Kuwait’s guardians, to protect it as the forefathers did before. “A new era is dawning and we look forward to creating a modern state empowered by education and knowledge and governed by cooperation, brotherhood and love so that its people, whether male or female, can all enjoy freedom, democracy and equality,” His Highness stressed. “Without his people’s cooperation, a ruler will fail, but I know that you will give me your full trust so we can join together to create a new age of progress and development for our country. It is my real hope that together we can realize this dream.”
His Highness then underlined that “we all want a land that is successful, where loyalty and honesty prevail, where the good of the country is put before individual needs, where self-interest is replaced by common interest, where hard work flourishes and where law and order is respected. “I am confident that if we all - officials and non-officials alike - strive to make this a reality, our homeland will prosper, our lives will be happy and we will be an example to other nations.”
On the role of the press on that period, His Highness noted “I would like to take this opportunity to praise the role our press has played in providing objective and truthful coverage of the events of the past few weeks. Their responsibility and prudence are highly commendable.” On the country’s future, His Highness the Amir pointed out “Kuwait expects a great deal from us. Other countries, not blessed with our rich resources have surpassed us. We cannot afford to stagnate, we must move forward. We have a duty to transform Kuwait into a center of hard work and innovation, a testament to progress and modernity.” His Highness concluded the speech by emphasizing the fact that “we will progress together, with Allah’s blessing, guided by His Book, the Holy Quran, and His Prophet’s Sunnah”. — KUNA