Pilgrims Throng Mount Arafat for Peak of Hajj
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Kuwait Times Editor-in-Chief Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan wishes HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Cabinet members, heads of states around the world, Kuwaitis, expatriates and our valued readers Eid Mubarak! Kuwait Times will not be published on September 2, 3 and 4, 2017. Our next issue will hit newsstands on Tuesday, September 5, 2017. Min 28º Max 46º FREE www.kuwaittimes.net NO: 17321- Friday, September 1, 2017 Pilgrims throng Mount Arafat for peak of hajj An aerial view shows pilgrims gathering on Mount Arafat on Arafat Day yesterday, which is the climax of the hajj pilgrimage — AFP (See Page 11) MOUNT ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia: ings of the Holy Quran and the tradi- Their palms facing the sky, around tions of the Prophet (PBUH). He urged two million Muslims gathered yester- pilgrims to set aside politics during day on Saudi Arabia’s Mount Arafat the haj and come together with fel- for the highlight of the hajj pilgrim- low Muslims. “This is no place for par- age, one of the world’s largest annual tisan slogans or sectarian movements gatherings. With temperatures push- which have resulted in great mas- ing 40 degrees Celsius under the sacres and the displacement of mil- desert sun, the faithful climbed the lions,” he said. hill east of Makkah where Prophet Men and women from nearly every Muhammad (PBUH) gave his last ser- country in the world gathered side by mon some 14 centuries ago. side, some crying on their neighbor’s The second day of the hajj - a five- shoulder. An elderly Syrian pilgrim sit- day pilgrimage which all Muslims ting on the hilltop shouted out, “Oh must perform at least once in their life- God, take revenge on the oppressors”. time if physically and financially able - Others assembled around him is dedicated to prayer and reflection. “I responded, “Amen”. Awfa Nejm, from came up here last night and prayed, a village near Homs, said: “We ask God took pictures and called my family and to protect Syria and its people and friends,” said Maolana Yahia, 32, who return it to the way it was before.” made the trip from Indonesia. Twenty-seven-year-old Amin Helicopters flew around the area Mohammed from Nigeria said he was as the pilgrims converged from dawn praying for peace in his country. on the Mount Arafat plain and the hill Noura Sulieman, a pilgrim from the known as Jabal Al-Rahma, or Mount Philippines, said she’d been to the hajj of Mercy. Forming a sea of white, the many times before and was here pilgrims ascended the hill and took again to pray for her family. “I came up positions to pray on rocks already here to Arafat to pray for my family, heated by the morning sun. On the for my daughter, and my son, and all concrete pathways linking the plain my family, and all the Philippines to the hill, hundreds of thousands of Muslims, and all Muslims in all coun- devout Muslims invoked God, as oth- tries,” she said. “God willing, Allah will ers rested in makeshift tents or on accept our pilgrimage.” sheets along the side of the road. In the evening, the pilgrims were Sheikh Saad Al-Shathri, a senior to travel to Muzdalifa where they Saudi cleric, delivered a midday ser- spent the night before taking part in mon denouncing terrorism and vio- a symbolic stoning of the devil. Saudi lence against civilians. Arabia says it has deployed more “Sharia came to preserve the than 100,000 security personnel to security of nations and cultivate keep pilgrims safe. At the foot of benevolence in (people’s) hearts,” he Mount Arafat, mobile barriers have said, referring to the Islamic legal and been installed to control the move- moral code derived from the teach- ment of the crowds. — Agencies Local FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 Local Spotlight in my view Private education What will the lambs eat on Eid? no less than those of foreign teachers in other Gulf countries. By Muna Al-Fuzai The school is bound by a contract with the foreign teacher. This Athoob Al-Shuaibi contract determines the rights and duties of the teacher with the school, but when the school does not abide with labor laws or the contract, it is normal for teachers to leave, because they refuse to give up their rights. [email protected] Unfortunately, new teachers become aware of the role of [email protected] wasta in Kuwait and how it helps to make their stay easier, for instance for getting their civil IDs and obtaining a car and driv- rivate schools admit many Kuwaiti and expat children ing license. Another important thing for new teachers is the egans in Kuwait suffer a lot of sarcasm and dis- every year, and while parents take the lead in choosing possible ignorance of laws protecting their rights if they fall vic- dain from some members of the society. We’re the best school for their kids, no one seems to think P tim to a school that does not respect labor laws. They find it dif- Voften kidded about our dietary restrictions, espe- much about the key element in the educational process - the ficult to hire lawyers, especially since all laws here are in Arabic, cially around the holy holiday of Eid Al-Adha, when teacher. The foundation of a good education is a good teacher, a language many don’t speak or understand. Muslims are required to sacrifice an animal, typically a and this has been an unresolved issue for years. Does anyone There are some schools in Kuwait with poor academic inter- sheep or goat, and give part of the meat to the poor. think about the foreign teachers here? When I adopted veganism, I kept it a secret for a A new school year is round the corner, and of course, for all national recognition by international bodies, and this for many expat parents, this is an issue of concern. After all, they are the teachers is an unpleasant surprise, especially when they come long time for fear of verbal harassment and annoying- ones who pay the school fees, which are not getting cheaper. to Kuwait with their children. ly endless questions. After the matter was revealed, I At the end of the day, no matter what school your kid goes to, Many schools have crowded classrooms, although there are was accused of forbidding what God allowed us to school uniforms, books and stationery are things you need to rules against this, but then it’s all about business and not pre- eat. Some commented in a slightly gentler manner, buy, affecting your budget. In fact, sending kids to any school serving the quality of education. It is very tiring for any teacher saying I have deprived myself from the pleasures of in Kuwait is becoming a financial burden on all families. The and lack of support by the management makes the teacher feel the world. Then they thank God that they are not school management plays a role in facilitating this issue and alienated and vulnerable. “insane” like me. should make best efforts to make it easier for all. The ministry of education must periodically meet with for- As a Muslim vegan, I prefer to abstain from meat, It is clear in Kuwait that sending kids to schools to get a eign teachers and discuss their issues of concern in order to milk and eggs for health and ethical reasons. But cer- good education is not easy, so some expatriates now prefer to protect them from possible exploitation and ensure that they tainly, I never uttered a prohibition. In the tale of the send their children to their home countries, which means do not leave the country. breaking up the family. The ministry of education has set a ceil- I think it would also be a great idea if the ministry met with ing for salaries at private schools - though tuition fees continue parents - both locals and expats - to know their concerns, issues to rise unabated. and frustrations regarding the skyrocketing fees. When I adopted veganism, Since life in not cheap here, there is talk about the departure I know that there are some excellent schools in Kuwait that of some good teachers from Kuwait to other Gulf countries. work to maintain their reputation, but it is necessary to ensure I kept it a secret for a long This should be taken seriously, because it relates to the quality all schools abide by the laws issued by the ministry of educa- of education. Some claim that foreign teachers leave for neigh- tion. The goal of education is to look after children and prepare time for fear of verbal boring countries because of low wages, which is a baseless them for the future. We have a duty to protect foreign teachers claim. The salaries of teachers in private schools in Kuwait are to protect the country’s reputation. harassment and annoyingly endless questions. After the matter was revealed, I was Photo accused of forbidding what of the day God allowed us to eat. Prophet Jacob (PBUH), which is mentioned in the Holy Quran; “All food was lawful to the Children of Israel, except what Israel made unlawful for himself before the Taurat (Torah) was revealed. Say “Bring here the Taurat (Torah) and recite it, if you are truthful”, (Verse 93 - Al-Omran). Israel is the other name of Prophet Jacob (PBUH).