My Reaction: لأجل الكويت

I recently received an email that addressed the sad state that Kuwait is in. It asked for any sort of helping hand or voice to aid in triggering our country’s betterment in any way. Personally, I think that this illustrates the deplorable disease that is gradually leading to our home’s downfall.

I thought long and hard about this topic and one of the conclusions that has burdened me on a personal basis is the absence of a national symbol other than the fluff we see splattered on billboards and walls portraying abnormally iridescent and rather fake smiles that disguise the corruption and dishonorable management of our government and land. During the 1960’s, there was a nationalistic movement that included the Arab Cause; however, in the 1970’s, hope for unity and justice faced a faction that hampered down any progressive advancement and thus, weighed down sincere efforts toward our nation’s flourish. Symbols of patriotism and pride started to vanish during this time. In the previous years, Kuwaitis used to honor and salute the Arabic Nation with enthusiasm and respect. Yet now, the Arabic Nation has disappeared and has pulled Kuwait down with it.

One of the factors that led to the loss of a national symbol of Kuwait is globalization. The spread of global culture particularly that of the West, from films, politics to all sorts of entertaining elements that foster the idyllic and quite unrealistic life that is seen being led in the movies has seduced us into believing that the essence of our mores is inferior and subordinate; it has led to the disfigurement of our culture as well as doubting the traditions of other Arab countries.

Kuwait’s national symbols were dedicated to their cause throughout the 1960’s until the 1980’s, with their efforts resulting in our home’s social and political improvement. Yet after that period, our country’s regression gradually started its backwards fall that contradicts the deep values that our country embraces, values such as decency, humbleness, honor, ambition and honesty. Now I am not going to name any names or point fingers at any members of the ruling family who hog both governmental positions that quickly reflect one’s inability to deal with integrity and righteousness or people from a specific class in society or others who abuse their family name as well as flit around town in their daily tasks that include large scale robberies and theft, but each day, we let out a distraught sigh as we read boldly printed names of individuals in our society that have not really given anything back to Kuwait. Heck, they have done quite the opposite. Unfortunately, our wise government continues to boast about the so-called good deeds of these people to such an extent that streets and schools were named after these scumbags who are also known as happy-go-lucky public figures.

I asked myself, “How can we strengthen and glorify Kuwait’s fading dignity and honor?”

1- Interlacing national symbols with the government: Let us take the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an example. Instead of placing base and thieving persons who bask in their comfortable private jets heading to God knows where, why doesn’t the government grant the title to nationalistic, enlightened and sincere individuals? There has to be some sort of attempt to battle off unprincipled and fraudulent people and assist the rise of those with a clean conscious and high ethical standards in order to guarantee a promising future for each and every Kuwaiti civilian.

2- Lessening the spread of global culture: I think it is every Kuwaitis obligation to preserve our national identity. “But doesn’t that mean that we’ll be seen as narrow-minded and not open to any sort of change?” Well my dear reader, have you ever heard of the saying “The French are very French?” For years, France has turned its back to the American culture’s captivating everything. From the upkeep of almost every historical site – starting from the conservation of its cobblestone streets and ending with world renowned structures and statues – to the constant commemoration of historical dates, individuals and occasions, France is certainly a leader in safeguarding its identity from the undistinguished mass of global culture.

3- The most significant happening that Kuwait underwent is the Iraqi invasion in 1990. However, what was learned from it? How many streets, schools and districts were named after the 600+ prisoners of war whose blood was shed for a country that now clearly does not value their worthy lives? To this day, nothing was named after the prisoner of war Faisal Al-Sane’a, who is one of the many nationalistic elements that ceased to be for the sake of Kuwait. Personally, I think that governmental institutions are doing an extremely lousy job of making everyone relive the hard times that Kuwait went through. “But why would anyone want to remember those days filled with grim death?” Let us look at our frizzy haired, crooked nosed and quite homely Jewish cousins. Whenever someone mentions World War II, one of the first things that come to mind is the Holocaust and specifically, the annihilation of the Jewish people – who were among the mentally and physically sick, elderly, gays/lesbians, gypsies and other social outcasts in the deliberate obliteration of “burdensome” people that hampered economic and social growth - who were living in Europe during that time. Although that was more than sixty years ago, almost every single Jewish individual has a firm grip on the struggles that their ancestors endured. Remembering and reviving historical events is one of the factors that makes the Jewish people determined, secure and motivated as well as an aspect that nurtures the drive to continue cultivating their distinct culture. And what has our government done? In the early 1990’s, there was a radio program called “Tales of the Invasion” (أحاديث الغزو). The program was simply a raw and real documentary that recounted first-hand interviews with Kuwaiti army officers, volunteers, family members and other Kuwaitis who told their personal stories that occurred during the Iraqi invasion. However, some people frowned in hurt, “We do not want to hear of such depressing things,” and members of the Kuwaiti government as well as those who did not want to shed light upon members of a particular family that fled and abandoned Kuwait during the start of the invasion quickly sealed off the broadcasting of genuine Kuwaiti history. Today, the 2^nd of August passes by us as if it is just another day and not the first date that marks the invasion of our country. Instead of turning a blind eye to our past, we must embrace and honor it as if the war has happened yesterday in order for our country’s future generation to inherit the weight of responsibility toward themselves and in turn, toward others.

4- Establishing a strong grip on democracy since it is the only guarantee of Kuwait’s existence. Throughout history, Kuwait was identified as a liberal port open to all people and ideas no matter how contradictory they are. Our country has met with a diverse and differing amount of ideologies before and after the discovery of petroleum, starting with the Arab Cause to Marxism to fundamentalism and many more philosophies that faced global opposition. Historically speaking, Kuwait has always held onto freedom of thought and demolishing democracy threatens the very foundation of our country’s survival. Fighting and sustaining democracy in Kuwait is key.

5- The fifth element is the Kuwaiti woman, for she has provided many services that benefited our country’s good. She has played a significant role in the nationalistic movement as well as taking a part in the resistance during the Iraqi invasion where a number of women lost their lives. How has the Kuwaiti government honored the Kuwaiti woman? Has anything been dubbed under a female’s name in Kuwait? It is as if the Kuwaiti government regards its female citizen as a shameful disgrace it continually veers away from in embarrassment! There are a lot of Luluwa Al-Qatami’s in our society who continue to fight with relentless will to establish and strengthen women’s dignity and voice as well as labor in tasks that promote the overall advancement of Kuwait. The case surrounding women in society becomes a serious and crucial issue when civilizations grow and develop and when freedom of thought is secured. However, when freedom of thought is silenced and when societies are bogged down by prejudice and ignorance that worsens a civilization until the point of collapse, we notice that women’s position becomes an irrelevant issue; it slowly weakens and fades away. For that reason, we have to pay particular attention to the Kuwaiti woman’s significant role in society by advocating her rights and honoring her imperative role in our country.

And that, my friends, is a wrap. Phew!

MP3's...

James Lavelle - Revolution
Basement Jaxx - Red Alert
Delerium Ft. Sarah MacLachlan - Silence
C-Mos - 2 Million Ways (Axwell Remix)
Axwell Ft. Steve Edwards - Watch the Sunrise
Crazy Penis - You Started Something

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