IS Claims Responsibility for UK Terror Attack
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‘Paralyzed and Getting to USA claim abandoned,’ know the Classic crown, patient Christians rout Puerto needs help3 in Kuwait4 \ Rico47 8-0 Min 18º Max 28º FREE www.kuwaittimes.net NO: 17177- Friday, MARCH 24, 2017 IS claims responsibility for UK terror attack SEE PAGE 15 Local FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2017 PHOTO OF THE DAY Local Spotlight No salary for months!!! By Muna Al-Fuzai [email protected] olunteer work is an act of charity that someone may decide to do in their spare time. But when a person Vsigns a work contract and works, they expect to get paid a salary. In fact, it is a requirement in religion and in law that those who do work be paid 0n a timely manner. But almost daily we hear stories from across the Gulf of foreign workers who sometimes go months and months without receiving their salaries. This is a blatant abuse of human rights and shows the lopsided and unjust system that allows sponsors to treat employees thus. How many of us would work for free for even a week? Now consider how you would feel not receiving your income for months on end and with limited, to no recourse with the authorities. We are all responsible before Allah for these abuses. One expatriate worker recently complained: “The com- pany requires all employees to work every day. But they do not pay out salaries for the work done. I have had seven months of delayed salaries and I do not know how I’m still A nighttime view of the new Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Center (JACC) in Kuwait City. — Photo by Jaber Abdulkhaliq / Kuna surviving. My family was also in Kuwait but due to financial problems, I sent them back home and they are suffering too. And this is happening not only to me. There are a lot of my fellow Indians who are also facing the same problem. We came here to work and earn a decent living. Now we IMPRINT are struggling every day and our life here is like hell. We have filed cases with the labor courts, complained to our respective embassies several times but it is all a failure.” How About Censoring Censorship? Well sir, I am ashamed that this is happening in my country and no one cares. No one at all. Why? Because you are poor and have no power to fight for your rights. Well, you might be in hell now but we will burn in hell if we con- tinue to turn a blind eye to these injustices. Ethically, we By Nejoud Al-Yagout the Kuwaitis are responsible to call for justice and fair living for all those who come to our country as guests to work [email protected] and earn their living and they should be given their legal rights just as a modern and civilized country. I wonder why the ministry of labor (shoon) is not doing more to stop these practices? That is indeed a good ques- tion and I hope some lawmaker will take up this question in his week, Disney decided to pull Beauty and the Beast of men. Women here understand that they cannot wear parliament. Why are embassies not calling on their lawyers from theaters across Kuwait, because our local cen- bikinis in public beaches or “provocative” clothing any- to file cases on behalf of all those workers citizens? Tsors, ever-ready to step up to defending antiquated where. Women and men know that they cannot drink in I am sorry for the situation you are suffering. Please beliefs of separation, decided it was best to cut what they public. All are aware that public displays of affection are don’t think all Kuwaitis are like your company owners who deemed was inappropriate for the masses. Additionally, not permitted. There are many codes of behavior that - think they might be protected now by the power they hold just in case once was not enough, it was also announced though not accepted by everyone - are silently implement- but Allah is the highest power and I hope this call will find that Tarweek fi Beirut, a movie directed by Kuwaiti film- ed. But isn’t it pushing a tad too far when art is involved in its way to listening ears. maker Farah Al-Hashim, was banned at our very first Film the equation? Not censoring something does not mean we Festival here for trivial reasons: Attire and dialogue that is agree with it. It means we are strong enough in our own offensive to what the censors perceive as an ultra-sensi- convictions while respecting the fact that varied convic- tive, ultra-conservative society - which is certainly not the tions hold true for others. Isn’t it tragic when music con- case for every single member of our community. certs are considered corrupt, though music is an integral Interestingly enough, this movie was celebrated at film fes- part of our ancestry? Isn’t it tragic that someone else has to tivals in Italy, Australia and Egypt. What is more interesting decide what is corrupt for all of us? We have our own about this is how the censors believe that their way of moral compasses and they differ from others. And labels thinking should be implemented by everyone in society, are flexible as well. Many religious people attend concerts regardless of others’ beliefs. And one wonders how they here too, so censorship is only creating further divisive- get away with it, while many of us feel saddened by the ness. The labels of liberals and conservatives are wearing fact that we are not permitted to enjoy art to its fullest thin. Today, many people are finding a balance between degree in our country, especially at a time when the cultur- their beliefs and tastes. They fast and pray but blast their al scene is booming. It seems as though art, unless cen- radios as well. They go on pilgrimage yet visit art museums sored, is offensive to the fabric of conditioning, weaved by abroad where they appreciate the beauty of paintings a patriarchy that seems to be holding on by a thread. I which would certainly be banned in this region. wonder how a concert, a nude sculpture, or a kissing scene We cannot create clones. Only egos create clones. Only can terrify a person? Most of us appreciate art for what it is. egos spread tentacles across the internet, gauging which And it is poignantly beautiful to be able to express our- sites can be filtered to preserve a shaky foundation. Isn’t it selves without worrying about others. How can we censor intriguing, though, that even with the constant monitoring art? How? Though many people would argue that the of online browsing, certain countries in this area, accord- majority of Kuwaitis agree with censorship, there are also ing to statistics, are most prone to visit porn sites? many, many Kuwaitis who are opposed to censorship in It reminds us of the Arabic saying: That which is prohib- any form. What happened to living in a society of live and ited is desired. So, both the eager censors and the not-so- let live? And though the censors use religion as justifica- eager censored ones are losing here. The former is actually tion, might one add that even the Koran stipulates: You causing the opposite desired effect, and the latter ends up have your religion, and I have mine. more frustrated and unhappy. So maybe it is best to cen- Religion, or the lack of it, for that matter, is a personal sor censorship! A win-win situation for all of us! journey. Whether or not one adheres is not up to a board Nejoud Al Yagout Photo by Djinane Alsuwayeh Local FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2017 Paralyzed and abandoned ‘Quadriplegic patient at Al-Adan Hospital needs help’ By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: A young Bangladeshi man has been paralyzed for life Khurshid Allam, 36, a construction helper from Bangladesh suffered and is stuck in Adan hospital - unable to get home. Khurshid a tragic accident on 24 October 2016. He was helping a colleague Allam, 36, a construction helper from Bangladesh suffered a tragic accident on 24 October 2016. He was helping a colleague move a move a heavy kitchen cabinet when the thing fell onto him heavy kitchen cabinet when the thing fell onto him, crushing him beneath. The accident left him a quadraplegic and according to doctors, there is no hope of him ever regaining the use of his arms or legs. He can move a bit one of his arm and can understand con- versation but cannot talk or communicate easily. But the tragedy extends further. Khurshid came to Kuwait on an illicit visa, meaning he paid a sponsor for a visa but never actu- ally worked for him. Instead he found odd jobs and worked free- lance, paying a fee to his ‘kafeel’ of KD 1,500, according to his brother Masoud who is also in Kuwait. Now that he’s paralyzed and unable to work, Khurshid has no way to pay for his flight back home nor any hope of supporting himself and his small family back in Chadpur, a district about 150 kilometers from Dhaka, Bangladesh. “I am going to Bangladesh Embassy today [Thursday] to ask for any help,” Masoud explained. “The doctor told us he’s ready for discharge and we need some money. I hope the embassy could extend some help to us. He has a three year old son. The reason why he tried to come to Kuwait was because they want to live a decent life.