• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

A local artist New Saudi Ivorians ease explains his King reshapes into Nations love of caricature4 policy10 team Cup45 final Min 10º Max 24º FREE www.kuwaittimes.net NO: 16425- Friday, February 6, 2015 Central Bank chief rejects allegations See Page 9 Local FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015 Local Spotlight Just kiddin’, seriously UN goodwill The Kuwait weight gain ambassadors By Sahar Moussa By Muna Al-Fuzai [email protected] [email protected] osing weight is an endless struggle and a topic every part of the country and they deliver whatever you both men and women are obsessed with. I have need at your doorstep, sparing you from moving out of hey are called goodwill ambassadors or peace Lnever sat with women and not listened to their your house. messengers. But this title has no diplomatic sta- views about how they are gaining weight and the meth- So, basically this luxurious life is actually reducing our tus, like the one held by the ambassadors of ods that are being used to lose weight. Just the other physical activities in one way or other and makes us T day, when I was at a hair salon, I heard two expat women indulge in a slothful and lazy lifestyle, right? No it’s countries. The objective of this designation is to assist express their dismay at gaining weight inexorably since wrong. in various issues tackled by the United Nations, the day they reached Kuwait. The duo became trio and I don’t want to be a hypocrite and put the blame on whether social, humanitarian, economic, health or soon it was a bunch of women grappling with the insol- the luxurious life I’m living. Instead I will be grateful for food-related. Goodwill ambassadors are usually uble dilemma they are facing. Each one of them was all this and blame no one but myself and these women singers or actors. The purpose of using celebrity fame sharing her own experience with diets she tried, exer- who do nothing but nag about their weight problems. is to spread awareness and support towards these cise, pills and even gadgets that presumably help them Because I have seen a lot of women, (I am one of them) issues. The mission is clear, but the UN is missing one in losing weight. It was really sad to see all these women who actually pay money to go to gym but don’t go. I key point, especially in the Arab world. are struggling with the crisis of ‘gaining weight’. don’t know why they think that if they actually join the What is the basis of the selection of these people For people who don’t live in Kuwait, I will try to gym they would lose weight magically. And if they actu- explain a bit about Kuwait’s lifestyle. Kuwait’s weather is ally go to the gym, their food consumption jumps dou- and why most of them, if not all, are artistes or ble-fold, and visiting the gym is as an excuse to eat singers? Who says they should be role models? This very hot. In summer, especially in August, the mercury could reach up to 57 degrees Celsius making it impossi- more. may be true in some communities where an actor is As for others who don’t have enough patience to ble to roam around the city and enjoy the sunlight something near holy, but certainly this is a wrong per- exercise, schedule an appointment to do a liposuction unless you want to risk a sunstroke and get admitted in a surgery to shed a few pounds. Ironically, they eat glutto- hospital. So, basically if you want to go anyplace, you nously as if they are going to starve before the proce- need a car, and not any car, a very good air-conditioned dure. My favorites are the lot who eat all kinds of junk car. and fattening food, but wonder why they are getting fat! The malls are your number one choice in summer since it is air-conditioned, movie is number two, any well It is not very hard to lose weight. Consider the follow- air-conditioned ‘diwaniya’ is number three, and rented ing tips: Is there a committee to evaluate ‘chalet’ is number four. This means, you need an air-con- 1) Have a strong will and shut your mouth their jobs? Do we, the people, have ditioned place or it will be better for you to stay home. In 2) Say no to junk or fattening food. summer, only a few depend on public transport system 3) Eat healthy food. an opinion over their achievements while a vast majority use their own cars. Almost any- 4) Eat a lot of vegetables and fruits. or contributions? I don’t think so. where you go there is valet parking. Food here is deli- 5) Exercising your mind is a good thing, but what if you cious, juicy and fattening. Nearly every month a new actually move your bum and go to exercise your body for a restaurant is opened and you cannot resist the tempta- change. tion not to try it. If not a restaurant, a new pastry or ice- 6) Quit sodas and drink natural fruit juices instead. cream shop is opened, and guess what? Yes you cannot 7) Unless you have a back problem try to carry your own fight the urge. Talking about food and desserts I cannot stuff to the car. fail to mention that you can order food from any restau- 8) It is okay if you park your car far and use your feet to ception here, especially in the Gulf countries. How rant, while you are sitting in the comfort of your home. walk. 9) Last but not the least, drink as much water as you can much efforts have they made and how can we meas- Even if you go to a ‘jamiah’ (supermarket), a quarter dinar will bring a porter to carry your stuff to your car. and be healthy. ure their support? Is there a committee to evaluate Salam their jobs? Do we, the people, have an opinion over Similarly, there are ‘baqalas’ (minimarkets) in almost their achievements or contributions? I don’t think so. Humanitarian, environmental and ethical crises are gripping the world and it seems that we cannot find a country devoid of crisis, public anger, hunger or mis- ery. At the same time, most of the countries of the world occupy a seat at the United Nations and each of them has a national issue that needs to be addressed by its own people. The UN focuses on singers to be role models in the community, but there are many young people, espe- cially young girls, who may be struggling to work in important areas such as IT and public awareness to help the needy, and they deserve this label to shed light on the importance of their work for the commu- nity more than anyone else. Those who bring about real change are considered good ambassadors of their nations and the causes they work for. I believe the countries that are committed to their contributions to the United Nations should have a say through a national committee composed of educated young people to work on the selection of goodwill ambassadors, especially in the field of environment and climate awareness. A pretty face is not enough to resolve complicated issues like these nor bring solu- tions or end the suffering of many. KUWAIT: One of Kuwait’s marine fire rescue boats in a drill in Kuwait City yesterday. — Photo by Joseph Shagra Local FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015 The art of exaggeration By Ben Garcia ently. “I don’t want pressure - I work at my own pace and perspective. You give me a theme and I’ll draw it for you, olitical cartoons and religious caricatures are contro- and no amount of pressure can change that,” he asserted. versial around the world, the most recent evidence Currently, he teaches intermediate students at a public Pis the horrific attack on the French satirical weekly school in Mahboula. “I love teaching. I am a teacher by pro- Charlie Hebdo. But a local caricaturist, Mohammad Al- fession and teach English to students, but at the same time Qahtani is prepared to face the challenge. The 29-year-old impart this passion to them,” he said. “I tell them there is budding artist has a passion for drawing caricatures of nothing wrong in making caricatures as long as you set political figures and famous people in Kuwait, such as moral and religious standards for yourself,” he added. actors. “I want to be part of the change in my society. I studied “I am against any form of violence and hatred. But let English at Kuwait University for seven years and took some me express my opinion of Charlie Hebdo. There is always a English practical courses in London so that I could share limit when it comes to expressing thoughts in public. You with students in Kuwait the knowledge I gained. I want to can freely express your opinion, but make sure to consider be part of the revolution of change for my people, so I am a the feelings of others. I have my own sets of standards and proud teacher,” Qahtani said. boundaries for everything,” Qahtani said. He also makes charcoal and watercolor paintings, por- Qahtani isn’t an active political cartoonist yet, but he’s traits of people and landscapes. But drawing cartoons is aware of the pressure and acceptance by people, especial- something he excels in doing.

Load more

  48

Copy Link