Saudi Mosque Bombing Targets Police River Plate Clinch Their Third Copa
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Young men set Saudi mosque River Plate clinch sail as part bombing their third Copa of annual targets police Libertadores title heritage event3 10 46 Min 32º Max 49º FREE www.kuwaittimes.net NO: 16602- Friday, August 7, 2015 New era for Suez Page 11 Egyptian soldiers stand guard on the bank of the Suez Canal during a cere- mony yesterday to unveil a new waterway, in the port city of Ismailiya. — AFP Local FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2015 Local Spotlight Fashionistas in Kuwait they changed the stereotype of the very thin supermodels use. This is fun. By Muna Al-Fuzai who usually parade clothes by designers for rich people or Some people say fashionistas are a creation of actresses. Not everyone knows what the art of fashion is or Instagram and will soon be gone. But I don’t think so. needs to. Fashionistas make it easy for every woman - Some of them will disappear, but those who achieved suc- regardless of how much money she has - to visualize her- cess will turn this hobby into successful businesses. I feel [email protected] self in any dress or makeup. Fashionistas in Kuwait are giv- proud to see more Kuwaiti women in a new field in busi- ing a free lesson on what to wear and what makeup to ness and life. fashionista is a person who is devoted to fashion- able clothing, particularly unique or high fashion. AThis concept has entered Kuwaiti society only recently. Although it has been a well-known term around the world for years, it was not widespread in Kuwait. Today, we have more and more Kuwaiti girls - and even some boys - who are taking up fashion as a profession and hobby. But the society is not giving them the credit they deserve. I wonder why? It is said that real fashionistas do not believe in trends. I don’t see how this is true, because in Kuwait they do their best to be on top of trends! I guess whoever said that was not being realistic. ‘Fashionista’ is not by any means a neg- ative term. It is nice to see Kuwaiti women taking up this role. These women face two main problems while dealing with the local society - ignorance and negative percep- tions about what they do, which is a cultural issue. Most comments and jokes target these girls in a very insulting and nasty way. This is not fair, because to join the fashion field in a conservative society requires courage and intelli- gence, as well as being under pressure and the spotlight. Social media has been an extra burden on these young professionals, as many comments are negative and harsh. They deserve a salute for expressing themselves in the lat- est fashion and makeup. Negative and silly comments on social media reflect how some people are full of jealousy and hatred over any success by young Kuwaitis, especially women. What I really like about the fashionistas in Kuwait is that In my view Working in a multicultural office setting By Kristine Nones Kuwait Times: Describe your experi- their views but when it comes to disci- [email protected] ence working in a multicultural envi- pline, I don’t allow anyone to control my ronment? decisions. orking at Kuwait Times gave me the first impression of what a Avila: I am a Filipino working for more KT: What are the nationalities of the ‘multicultural’ office setting really means. What set it apart from than 20 years in Kuwait and have been people you work with? Wprevious companies is that here, nationalities are more varied dealing with different nationalities here. Avila: Filipinos, Indians, Sri Lankans, and multilingual. Some officemates come from here, some are from places In the beginning, it was difficult to com- Indonesians, Nepalese, Bangladeshis, just a stone’s throw away like Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt, while oth- municate since the greatest barrier is lan- Lebanese, Egyptians, Moroccans, Syrians, ers like me come from farther away like India, Nigeria, Philippines and the guage. Some speak very minimal English Jordanians, Turkish, Kuwaitis, British and US. Everyone can communicate in English, but most are comfortable with and pronounce words differently. Your Americans. their mother tongues. Instinctively, I talk to a Filipino colleague in Tagalog patience is tested as well since you have KT: What will be your advice to a and vice-versa. different views and opinions. person in a similar situation? Truth be told, I have been guilty of and deeply regretful for what I call KT: How did you adjust to the situa- Avila: My advice to a person in a simi- ‘wrong translations’. Case in point: When your officemates talk loudly with tion? lar situation is to have a lot of patience. each other, it doesn’t mean they are fighting; oftentimes, they’re doing Avila: I studied the basics of Arabic Understand them as much as you can. just that - talking. My mistake is I have been used to one conversational such as numbers and words that we use Learn the basic language and follow the tone, in this case my own, that I mistakenly take a ‘louder’ conversation as at work. I follow the advice given [to law of the land. Follow the company’s hostile, when in fact it’s not. So, having fallen into that trap, I decided to Overseas Filipino Workers] in the pre- policies and procedures. Since everyone purposely ignore biases as well as stereotypes (both told and personal) departure orientation to follow the law of comes to work to earn for their families, and push my introverted self to know my colleagues one person at a time. the land and the policies and procedures they should make it a goal to live a quiet I wonder whether my experience also holds true for other people and set by the company I am working for. I life, mind their own business, work dili- wonder how they approach a multicultural environment. I spoke to Mary also cooperate with my superiors and col- gently to achieve their goals and be help- Ann Cruz Avila, who works as a district manager for a local coffee shop in leagues at work in order to have a good ful to everyone. Kuwait and supervises people from different nationalities. working relationship with them. I respect Friday 07 August 2015 Local Some of the pearl divers walking towards their pearl diving vessel. Friday 07 August 2015 Minister Sheikh Salman Al-Homoud speaks to the press at the festival. —Photos bye Joseph Shagra Dozens of young men set sail as part of annual heritage event By Faten Omar Al-Homoud added that Kuwait has organized many interna- tional, regional and GCC tournaments so it is capable of hosting KUWAIT: The 27th Annual Pearl Diving festival kicked off yes- the ‘Gulf 23’ in terms of sports facilities and budgets and in terday morning at the Kuwait Sea Sports Club (KSSC) in Salmiya, terms of young athletes. “Everyone should be responsible and under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- work for the benefit of Kuwait sports,” he said pointing out to Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The long running festival is a tribute the large of number of youth participating in the pearl diving to Kuwait’s economic and cultural heritage and aims to pre- festival as an example of the younger generations’ ability to serve the art and occupation of pearl diving and to teach young drive the country’s sporting fields forward. generations the lifestyle of their forefathers. Meanwhile, Sea Sports Club Chairman of the Board Fahd Al- KSSC has been holding a pearl diving trip for the last 27 Fahd, said that “the slogan of this year’s festival titled ‘These are years and this traditional annual activity is performed by young my children’ goes in line with the phrase used by HH the Amir sailors from Kuwait and other Gulf countries like Oman, Qatar when he rushed to the scene of the suicide bombing at the and the United Arab Emirates. Under the leadership of experi- Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq Mosque on June 26. When HH the Amir enced sea captains, the young sailors embark on a weeklong insisted to go inside the mosque even though the mosque was sea voyage where they will anchor off Khairan island and dive still on fire, he refused his security’s pleas and said ‘these are my for pearls. children’, which means that the people of Kuwait, all of us are Attending the festival, the Minister of Information and his sons and this phrase has become a shining example of our Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al- wise and compassionate commander and a sincere expression Salem Al-Homoud Al-Sabah saluted the young sailors and of his emotions; A true leader in the march of humanity”. In wished them well on their journey. closing he said that the trip of these pearl divers correspond to Speaking on the upcoming 23rd edition of the biennial foot- the words of HH the Amir to strengthen the spirit of national ball competition of the Gulf Cup ‘Gulf 23’, which Kuwait will unity in the hearts of Kuwait’s youth. host, Sheikh Salman added that the authorities would take strict actions against anyone who abuses Kuwait’s reputation in the sport or hinders its development and progress. Kuwait’s flag is raised to commemorate the start of the pearl diving expedition. Sheikh Salman Al-Homoud shaking hands with young pearl divers before their journey. Friday 07 August 2015 Local The families of the pearl divers wave goodbye to their sons.