Fully Vaccinated Residents Can Return to Kuwait from Aug 1 See Page 9 2 Friday Local Friday, June 18, 2021
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FREE Established 1961 Friday ISSUE NO: 18463 THULQADA 8, 1442 AH FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021 Fully vaccinated residents can return to Kuwait from Aug 1 See Page 9 2 Friday Local Friday, June 18, 2021 PHOTO OF THE DAY Seif Palace was built in 1904 from local materials such as clay, rocks, limestone, wood and metals taking on an Islamic architectural style by using arches and Ilsamic decorations. — File photo by Ahmad Alfailakawi / KUNA We Still Have Time To Change because drug intake and divorce rates are increasing. reward residents for their loyalty and commitment to Kuwait, IN MY VIEW People are so distressed that whenever there is a holiday, when we treat their elderly as our own elderly, when we live they are on the first flight out, escaping to another destination. with one another in harmony and respect. This also becomes a And for those who cannot afford to travel constantly, there are possibility when we create laws that apply to anyone living By Nejoud Al-Yagout back-up plans to retire elsewhere, migration possibilities to here, local or otherwise. When we fulfill the vision of our fore- discuss with the family, and money to save rather than spend— parents and build a society in which our legacy is not a sense [email protected] just in case what appears to be inevitable (if we continue along of entitlement but a universal code of superior moral conduct, this course) happens. we can rise. When we continue to find ways to purify our But even with so little to celebrate, hope lives and breathes minds and hearts, we will create a Kuwait which benefits all. t is disconcerting and alarming that so many people in our within each of us. And we can bring that hope into fruition. But When we remember that oil does not last forever and we focus society are distressed. Women are distressed for many we have to engage ourselves first. And it is the locals who have on other ways to ensure a stable future, Kuwait will rise. Ireasons, ranging from fear of violence and harassment to to do the work. Anyone else may get imprisoned or deported We still have time to ensure women are protected and the fact that there is not a single female representing our soci- or fired or berated or threatened. Yes, it is the duty of locals to respected. We still have time to make amends to our non- ety in parliament. Expatriates are distressed because they face do this. Together. One citizen at a time. Kuwaiti brothers and sisters. We still have time to protect the daily abuse and discrimination in a country that seems hellbent We can create a Kuwait that will be a haven for locals and sea, the earth, the desert of our country. We still have time to on getting rid of them, discarding its heritage of values. Locals residents alike, for lawmakers, for men, women, children, the build more libraries and cultural centers in our country and are distressed because of the increased corruption, lawmakers environment, for the stateless, and for all; a Kuwait which will encourage people to read and share knowledge not just ran- without a vision, and projects that never see fruition due to top lists of happiness for all its inhabitants. But we have to dom facts and social media videos. We still have time to trav- antiquated bureaucratic procedures. The stateless are dis- admit we have a serious problem. We have to admit that our el, not just for entertainment and to satiate our material long- tressed because they have fought in our military, protected us happiness index is in dire need of replenishment. We have to ings, but also to expand our awareness and to learn about in the police force, are loyal to this country (their country), yet admit that love, harmony, kindness, unity and inclusivity are in other cultures and connect with human beings across the are still considered outsiders, and a “problem” that nobody low supply. We cannot get angry or offended when our faults globe. We still have time to focus on education and work eth- seems able to solve. are brought to the surface. What is required is self-reflection ic. We still have time to give the stateless benefits and citi- Lawmakers are distressed because they cannot see eye to and humility to be able to transform ourselves and our country. zenship. We still have time to give foreigners who have lived eye on anything and are constantly battling one another. We have to be willing to change in order to dissolve who we here for generations the right to buy property in our country. Environmentalists are distressed because after hours of beach have become today. Because who we are today is in desperate We still have time to vote women into our parliament and to cleaning and raising awareness of the damage being done, they need of transformation. ensure that any member we vote in, male or female, is human- return the next day to another shore strewn with plastic, glass When we return to the humility and hospitality of our itarian and charitable. We still have time to integrate “others” bottles, and cigarette butts, and yet another section of the sea ancestors, when we live from the goodness of our forefathers into our society. We still have time to treat all residents polluted with dead fish floating to the surface. Activists are and foremothers who cherished morality, when we stop acting equally, rather than admire some and look down on others distressed because there are foreign workers who are being as though we are superior, entitled; when we insist on the depending on their nationality or status. We also still have exploited, some employees who are not paid on time, and rights of everyone living here, when we stop destroying our time to treat fellow citizens equally, ridding ourselves of vari- many international staff members who have worked for environment, when we educate people on reckless driving, ous superiorities and the arrogance of bloodlines, which have decades in a company but whose jobs are on the line. Artists when we no longer fire or abuse people because of their no place in society. are distressed because, unlike other countries, they cannot nationality, we will be able to witness Kuwait rise like a The fact that the word “change” exists signifies that make a living through their art. And families are distressed phoenix from the ashes. This becomes a possibility when we change can be implemented. 4 Friday Local Friday, June 18, 2021 fter months of closure, museums in Team, which has preserved noteworthy and Kuwait reopened this week to crowds historical artifacts of the country in its beauti- Aof visitors. One of the most popular is fully refurbished rooms. The museum is built the historical Bait Al-Othman Museum. in traditional Kuwaiti-style architecture with Located on Abdullah Al-Othman Street in big courtyards and wooden ceilings, doors Hawally, the museum aims to document the and windows. Its parking lot is full of old cars pre-oil era of Kuwait’s history and culture. from the Historical, Vintage and Classic Inaugurated in 2013, Cars Museum of Kuwait. — Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh Bait Al-Othman was renovated by the Kuwait Heritage Friday 5 Local Friday, June 18, 2021 The museum has rare historical Airways, with outfits and pictures of the items and antiques from old Kuwaiti old airport on display. houses. Various handicrafts and Kuwaiti The museum’s visiting hours are dhow models are also on display. Other Mornings: 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and items include old movies and memora- Afternoons: 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm. It is bilia of Kuwaiti companies such as open daily except on Friday mornings. Kuwait Oil Company and Kuwait The entry fee is KD 1. 6 Friday Local Friday, June 18, 2021 “If they are back in India during this time of pandemic who will take care of them? Lifelong My brother and I are both in Kuwait work- ing and no one is available to look after them. At least we want to show our respect and our gratitude to our parents during the residents told remaining days of their lives. But we are being compelled by the immigration policy to send them back to India,” he said. “The whole lives of my parents were By Nawara Fattahova employer told him he won’t be able to to go home spent in Kuwait. They were once a con- renew his residency next year due to the tributing part of the workforce in Kuwait ajeed Abdulsattar arrived in Kuwait new PAM regulations. when he was 11 years old in the There are many other similar cases. By Ben Garcia and now that they are old and unable to M work because of age, we must send them early 1960s. He’s spent almost his Sundus, 60, has resided in Kuwait for away?” entire life in this country, working, building more than 40 years with her husband, who eorge’s father arrived in Kuwait in The rules and policies regulating resi- a family, making a home. Now at 62-year- is 63. They don’t have children, and they G1977. He worked for 44 years in the dents’ stay in Kuwait fails to take into con- old, the Iranian resident worries that this both sell vegetables from a small stall in shipping industry and retired in sideration long time residents who might may be his last year here.