Qatar Defiant

Capturing the Crimea MPs vote Pistorius weeps ‘noncitizens to join Russia, US as shooting scene of Kuwait’4 unveils10 sanctions horror44 recalled Max 28º Min 16º FREE www.kuwaittimes.net NO: 16097- Friday, March 7, 2014 Qatar defiant SEE PAGE 9 Local FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 2014 Conspiracy LETTER TO KUWAIT TIMES Theories Dear Ms Darwish, Badrya Darwish responds: Younger or wiser? found your article on the haunting of the Philippine Dear Mr Dado, Embassy unusual. I have often been warned about Thank you for your entertaining note about a topic Ithese ghosts. I had also waited for men in black robes that Kuwait Times covered in an article in the last Friday and women in white to appear in my office, but so far the Times. As it was light material, you noticed that we pub- ones that visit me are either friends in thaubs or nurses lished it in our tabloid issue on Friday. Even my maids, who apply for passports. who are from the Philippines of course, found the material By Badrya Darwish Holy men of different faiths have told me not to mind amusing. One of them even commented that this subject these ghosts. For people of deep faith, spirits are a part of matter was suitable for teenage kids in high school and life. I am sure your article will get a good second reading many others of different ages. on Halloween. I will certainly recommend it to my Nevertheless, many people believe in such stories. The teenage daughters, who can add it to their cherished story was done by a Filipino reporter who spoke to many [email protected] Twilight stories and Vampire Chronicles. girls in the shelter of your respected embassy. In our In the meantime, we will continue our work for the paper we carry different views by different people. Some Filipino people, who are our treasures. Since the embassy of them might be rather bizarre, but that is life. We ast week, it was my birthday but don’t dare ask me how represents our government, the embassy is their home. respect people’s views. Thank you for reading the article Lold I turned. There are two questions I never answer - Yours faithfully, and for taking the time to comment on it. Please stay in my birthday and my weight. These are taboo. Anyways, Raul Dado touch. I stopped celebrating my birthday years ago because I want- Consul General Badrya Darwish ed to forget that I am getting older. Embassy of the Philippines in Kuwait When my youngest son came to wish me Happy Birthday right after midnight the other day, my immediate reaction instead of telling him thank you was to attack him because he reminded me that I am a year older now. My son sympa- In my view thetically told me: “Don’t despair. I know you are a year older but much wiser.” I told him that I do not care that I was wiser because I prefer to be younger. Who cares about wiser? Only in Kuwait Does everybody feel the same way? Is this a woman feel- ing or do men also go through such kinds of feelings and experiences? I wondered if I was the odd one out so I asked the girls in the office. Most of them said: “Of course, I want to By Talal Al-Ghannam be younger.” My favourite answer was shared by one of the female editors who said: “What shall I do with wiser?” Our American editor shocked me that she prefers to be wiser. Americans like to be odd, no surprise. I understand the American mentality. She thought: “Why do I have to work all [email protected] these years all over again to get to where I am now, but if I have a chance to be thinner, I don’t mind.” hese are the things you won’t find in other modern be respected. Typical American. No hard feelings, guys. I love the Tcountries or even ones that are poorer, but only in 10. Only in Kuwait you need three months to get an American people. This is what the girls felt like. Kuwait. appointment in a hospital unless you are really sick. Our male Kuwaiti editor surprised me by saying that he 1. Only in Kuwait people APPEAL to the government 11. Only in Kuwait the majority of Kuwaitis travel out wanted to be younger so he can correct the mistakes and to apply the law. of town when there is a two-day holiday. things he has not done, such as buying a house when the 2. Only in Kuwait handicapped parking places are 12. Only in Kuwait the majority of employees get sick prices were lower. He recalled coming back on holidays from seized by ordinary people. suddenly when there is a holiday coming up. the university and seeing ads about houses sold for 3. Only in Kuwait many people like to park on the 13. Only in Kuwait we see people spitting or urinating pavement and on green landscapes. in the streets. KD120,000. Today, he says jokingly, you cannot even build a 4. Only in Kuwait you could get killed for a parking 14. Only in Kuwait we see maniacs driving on the room with that money.” The guys has a point. space. shoulder of the road, throwing up gravel to break your Another male editor from India said he was dying to have 5. Only in Kuwait you could get beaten if you did not car’s windshield. a little white hair so that he looks more mature. Of course, he let a maniac driving behind you to pass. 15. Only in Kuwait some Kuwaitis say ‘kaifi ana talks like this because he is still young. He also preferred to 6. Only in Kuwait policemen are beaten by mobs. Kuwaiti’, meaning I am a Kuwait, I can do whatever I be wiser. 7. Only in Kuwait many policemen play with their want. Give them 10 to 15 years and throw the same question smart phones rather than monitor the roads. 16. Only in Kuwait you see many Kuwaitis able to again. Let’s see if they will give me the same answer then. I 8 .Only in Kuwait many police stations have only one deport expatriates. am positive they would then prefer to be 100 times younger. policeman. I will rest my pen for now until the next article. What about you, guys? Do you feel the same way? 9. Only in Kuwait you need a fancy car on the road to @BadryaD Child jailed in Kuwait Local Spotlight rance, violence and contradictions abound. It is very normal in and social relations. By Muna Al-Fuzai the Arab world to see many people at protests and demon- For example, how many people vote for someone in the strations without knowing why and who is leading them? I election just because he is their relative, even if they know that know some think this is craziness and ignorance. But who says he is not good or suitable to speak on their behalf? We have a we are highly modern and civilized societies when it comes to mix of tradition, customs, misunderstanding and mispercep- customs, tradition and leadership? tion of ideas and self interests. That is why we have people like [email protected] Stop the illusion and see the reality. Yes, many people go to Habib go to protests but are not aware of the reason or the demonstrations to support their family members or spiritual consequences. li Al-Habib, a 13-year-old bedoon in Kuwait was kept in leaders. They may not be in full agreement with his ideas but I was annoyed that Habib was kept in police custody. I’m Apolice custody for participating in the recent bedoon they go to these demonstrations even if it means breaking the not sure of the impact of jail and police atmosphere on him demonstrations. He was set free after several attempts law. The reason for this is because blood and social ties are and his behavior, thinking and ideas. I’m not in favor of by his lawyers and pressure by the media. The juvenile public stronger than any law or regulation. restricting anyone’s freedom because he expressed an opin- prosecution released the boy on KD 200 bail after listening to When any country disregards the enforcement of laws and ion. He may not be a Kuwait citizen but respecting his human a statement by officers in charge of the case. He did not deny fighting corruption, then it is normal that many would find in rights are essential. I’m relieved that he is out now and I hope the charges or being part of this demonstration, but claimed their family and social roots the secure umbrella to protect to see more social and political activists lead awareness cam- that he was not aware of the purpose of the demonstration. If and help them. When the law doesn’t give people the protec- paigns for the families of the bedoons to enlighten them of that is true, I believe him. Welcome to the Arab world! tion and security they need, it is normal they look for it some- their rights and duties to avoid being in such situations. We are amidst the bloody Arab Spring where chaos, igno- where else and in our societies, these are in the family, blood Local FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 2014 CapturingCapturing thethe ‘noncitizens‘noncitizens ofof Kuwait’Kuwait’ oneone portraitportrait atat aa timetime By Jamie Etheridge hey stand on street corners or sit on Tcurbs.

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