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FREE Established 1961 Friday ISSUE NO: 17991 RABIA ALAWWAL 25, 1441 AH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2019 Consultations to form new Democrat debate exposes divides Clippers win overtime 9 Cabinet could take two weeks 14 despite a united front on Trump 45 thriller over Celtics Al-Kandari Diwaniya captures the essence of vintage Kuwait SEE PAGES 4 & 5 2 Friday Local Friday, November 22, 2019 PHOTO OF THE DAY Syrian refugees Local Spotlight By Muna Al-Fuzai [email protected] ith the arrival of winter, calls for assistance to Syrian refugees, whether financial or Wmaterial, such as clothes or blankets, have been circulated. I also heard the same plea on the radio recently. But I started to wonder why are there still Syrian refugees living in tents and why are they still abroad? Why don’t they return to their homeland and rebuild their houses? At least the money given to them by individuals or charities will be beneficial. Syrian refugees are citizens who fled from Syria as the Syrian crisis escalated with the entry of terrorist militias. The number of Syrian refugees abroad is estimated at 7.5 million, while the number of internal- ly-displaced persons in Syria is over six million. Turkey hosts the largest number of refugees, followed by Jordan and Lebanon. The Syrian refugee crisis is one of the longest and most complex humanitarian emergencies ongoing KUWAIT: Kuwait City as seen through Souq Sharq’s marina. — Photo by Noura Edhbayah (KUNA) since 2011, and the vast majority of refugees from Syria have found shelter in host communities in neighboring countries. Germany was one of the first Western countries that welcomed Syrians. We are not in the past and I believe I am not the only one who thinks why are there still Syrian refugees abroad. Isn’t it time to go home? Something’s in the air Many major countries are trying to find a solution to this situation now. A new report said Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor KAFFEEKLATSCH of air pollution on its website. Other sources include the Angela Merkel discussed the situation of Syria over Kuwait Environment Public Authority, Kuwait Foundation the phone. During the call, both sides stressed the for the Advancement of Sciences and Kuwait University. importance of resolving humanitarian problems, By Shakir Reshamwala There is usually some divergence in the readings provided including the return of refugees. by these monitors, but reviewing data over a period of time reveals air quality is generally poor in the country. Turkish President Recep Erdogan has also made [email protected] According to IQAir AirVisual, the primary contributor many statements on the safety and security of uwait has a significant problem of air pollution. to air pollution in the Middle East is natural, from wind- refugees. In Jan 2019, a meeting of the Arab blown dust storms. However, human activity also signifi- Development Summit in Beirut called for redoubling While public attention has been focused on smog- hit northern India, which has the worst air quality cantly contributes to local air pollution, including industrial efforts to promote conditions conducive to the return K emissions from oil refineries, fossil fueled power plants, in the world, it is worthwhile to note that Kuwait ranks of refugees to their country. combustion-based transportation and high usage of pri- I believe that it is time to close this file with the seventh worst worldwide in the estimated average con- centration of PM2.5, according to the Swiss-based IQAir vate vehicles. return of those citizens to their country, and money For the average person, solutions to reduce air pollution AirVisual app. should be given under specific guidance through the seem to be beyond their control. This may be true to some PM2.5 refers to particulate matter (ambient airborne United Nations and international organizations to extent, but IQAir has some tips to reduce personal expo- particles) which measure up to 2.5 microns in size, and has ensure that no donation or funds fall into the wrong sure to air pollution. These include reducing outdoor activi- a range of chemical makeups and sources. PM2.5 is widely hands. I think we have to be fair to all host nations ties when pollution levels are high, protecting indoor spaces regarded as the pollutant with the most health impact of because these countries that are hosting Syrian by closing windows during outdoor air pollution episodes, all commonly measured air pollutants. Due to its small size refugees have economic problems and they have pri- and where possible, implementing indoor air purification PM2.5 is able to penetrate deep into the human respirato- orities towards their citizens. and/or personal outdoor respiratory protection. ry system and from there to the entire body, causing a It adds that personal choices also have a significant So keeping the issue of refugees unsolved will wide range of short- and long-term health effects. increase social tension and the host communities impact on reducing pollution emissions. Choosing clean Kuwait’s estimated average PM2.5 concentration in modes of transport (cycling, walking, public transport), low- are also likely to put pressure on their governments. 2018 was 56.0 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m≥) of air, Some newspapers have reported that some ering household energy usage and personal waste output, which is categorized as ‘unhealthy’, with an increased like- and supporting local air quality initiatives can all positively refugees are afraid to return home because of secu- lihood of adverse effects and aggravation to the heart and rity concerns. impact the air quality in our communities and on our planet. lungs among the general public. In the region, only Bahrain The government has taken various measures to curb I agree that providing security for returning has worse air quality than Kuwait (fifth globally with a air pollution, including actively pursuing a target of refugees is important. When the fighting stops, the PM2.5 concentration of 59.8 μg/m≥). UAE comes in ninth using renewable energy to generate at least 15 percent reconstruction process will not be easy or simple or with an average of 49.9 μg/m≥. All three countries exceed of power by 2030. But we individuals also have a happen overnight. But staying out of the country is the WHO annual guidelines by more than five times. responsibility to pitch in and ensure that our actions do not the answer, especially after the return of stability The most popular provider of air quality data in Kuwait not pollute the environment. This is the least we can do to the homeland. This issue needs closure. is the US Embassy, which displays near real-time readings for future generations. 4 Friday Local Friday, November 22, 2019 By Faten Omar fields, especially those of interest to the people The modern-day diwaniya has inherited all of Kuwait. The diwaniya - a place where men the customs and traditions of the diwaniyas of he diwaniya in Kuwait represents a his- gather - plays an important role in strengthen- yore. If you want to gauge public opinion in torical legacy nurtured by successive ing social relations among citizens in Kuwait. Kuwait, visit one or two diwaniyas! Kuwait Tgenerations. The convergence of a large The importance of the diwaniya made the gov- Times spoke with Mahmoud Al-Kandari to group of citizens under one roof is an oppor- ernment include diwaniyas in building plans, learn more about the history of Al-Kandari Di- tunity to exchange ideas and topics in various so that every Kuwaiti house has one. waniya, which according to him, was the first diwaniya in Bneid Al-Gar. “Al-Kandari Diwaniya was established in 1960 by Abdulrahman Al-Kandari. It was the first diwaniya in Bneid Al-Gar back then,” Kan- dari said. He told Kuwait Times the diwaniya is a place where all segments of society meet to consult and exchange views, news and a variety of topics. “The diwaniya in Kuwait has played many roles in the educational, intellec- tual and social as well as media fields. It has become an integral part of Kuwaiti social life,” he said. In the past, the diwaniya was a place where families and sheikhs gathered. “The Al-Say- ers, Al-Mahameeds, Al-Sabahs and many more families used to come to the diwaniya to talk about trade and what was happening in society back then,” Kandari recalled. “Today, the diwaniya is open to all - VIPs and regular citizens - every day to socialize, but official gatherings are on Wednesdays for relatives, friends and family to discuss family issues and sports,” he explained. Friday 5 Local Friday, November 22, 2019 KUWAIT: Photos taken from Al-Kandari Diwaniya, one of Kuwait’s oldest and the first diwaniya in Bneid Al-Gar. — Photos by Yass er Al-Zayyat 6 Friday Local Friday, November 22, 2019 A day in the life Masseur’s healing hands can relieve stress and body pains By Ben Garcia satisfied clients is being told that he is pos- ‘90s, so Dagumboy asked her to sponsor a sessed with magic or healing hands. “I don’t tourist visa for him to join her in Kuwait. She hilip Dagumboy’s day begins at 10 am, think it’s about the healing hand. I think it’s the immediately applied, and a few weeks later, he Pwhen his alarm goes off. After an hour experience which I accumulated throughout arrived in Kuwait in June 2008. “My first job and a half, the masseur is showered, my years on the job. Nonetheless, I am glad I was at a small but classy men’s salon in cleanly shaved and ready for work.