Virginia Grab First CWS Title Virginia Down Vanderbilt for College World Series Title
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Souq Al-Mubarakiya Virginia oldest in Kuwait grab first Emsak: 03:03 Fajer: 03:15 CWS title Dohr: 11:51 Asr: 15:24 Maghreb: 18:51 4 47 Eshaa: 20:24 Min 29º Max 46º FREE www.kuwaittimes.net NO: 16563- Friday, June 26, 2015 Page 39 PARIS: Demonstrators try to flip an alleged minicab, known in France as VTC (Voitures de Tourisme avec Chauffeurs), at Porte Maillot in Paris yesterday, as hundreds of taxi drivers converged on airports and oth- er areas around the capital to demonstrate against UberPOP, a popular taxi app that is facing fierce oppo- sition from traditional cabs. — AFP Local FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2015 IN MY VIEW The Meaning of Life Top 10 reasons od says in the Quran, “And We did not create the earned, and they will not be wronged.” (45:22) to celebrate heaven and the earth and that between them • “Do the people think they will be left to say, ‘We Gaimlessly. That is the assumption of those who believe’ and that they will not be tried?” (29:1) Ramadan in Kuwait disbelieve...” (38:27). He clearly states that he created • “You will surely be tested in your possessions and mankind to worship Him (51:56). However, in addition to yourselves.” (3:186) By Sara Ahmed worship through prayer or fasting the month of Ramadan, The challenges of life facilitate our growth in areas for example, any lawful and moral activity done with the such as self-awareness, so we acknowledge our limita- [email protected] intention of pleasing God is also regarded as worship, tions and need for God; mental capacities, so we under- such as studying, performing on-the-job tasks, nursing a stand the nature of good and evil; social responsibility, child, exercising, building friendships, and so forth. Some since we witness how our deeds impact others; and self- aspects of worship are mentioned in the Quran, and are actualization, or the attainment of our potential as a considered man’s responsibility toward God, such as: human being. However, this character development is a We all should remem- • Acknowledgement and remembrance: “I am God matter of personal choice and free will that is aided by: [alone]! There is no god but Me, so serve Me and keep up • Belief: Say, “It is the truth from your Lord. So whoever ber their suffering and prayer to remember Me by.” (20:14) wills, may believe, and whoever wills may disbelieve.” • Love: “Yet there are some people who adopt partners (18:29) do what we can to help. beside God whom they love just as they should love God. • Correct knowledge: Islam is not a religion of “blind Those who believe are firmer in their love for God.” faith.” The Quran stresses the importance for people to Ramadan in Kuwait (2:165) use their minds to reason and think logically, and strongly • Obedience: “O you who have believed! Obey God rejects mentalities driven by myths, ignorance, blind imi- reminds us of that. and His messenger...” (8:20) tation of others, assumption, prejudice, and selfish desire. • Reliance: “If God supports you, there is no one who • Good conduct and good deeds: “Verily, man is in loss will overcome you; while if He should forsake you, who is except for those who believe and do good works...” (103) there to support you? On God should believers rely.” God promises in the Quran that “Whoever does right- 1. The roads are almost empty during the day time. (3:160) eousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - You can reach Kuwait City from Fintas in 10 min- The purpose of our creation is to worship God, and our We will surely cause him to live a good life...” (16:97). This utes and Shuwaikh in 15 minutes. Try that dur- sincerity in doing so is tested throughout our lives. We “good life” is a physical, social, material, mental and spiri- ing any other month and expect to spend any- are tested through blessings and comfort as well as trials tual state of well-being. It is characterized by a healthy where from a half hour to three in traffic. and tribulations: body built on wholesome food and drink, healthy rela- 2. Every hotel offers sumptuous iftar and suhoor • “[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] tionships built on respect and kindness, a standard of liv- buffets. You will never starve if you live in which of you is best in deed - and He is the Mighty, the ing based on righteous earnings from valuable and Kuwait. If you can’t afford the hotel buffets, Forgiving.”(67:2) wholesome activities, and, most importantly, a close rela- there are dozens of iftar tents set up by private • “Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil tionship with the Creator and Sustainer of all. By applying and with good as trial; and to Us you will be God’s teachings in his life, man can be confident that he businesses and charity organizations to provide returned.”(21:35) will pass the test of “life” with its duties to God, self and meals for low income fasters. • “And God created the heavens and earth in truth and others, and that he will fulfill the purpose of his creation, 3. You can pray at any mosque - regardless of so that every soul may be recompensed for what it has which is the worship of his Creator and Lord. nationality or age - and be welcome. 4. Kanafa. Luqaimat. Gurs Ogaily. 5. The Iftar cannon in Kuwait City. Children love to see the cannon fire that announces the break- ing of the fast. It’s a family tradition for many Muslim families in Kuwait. 6. Gergia’an. It’s like Halloween for Kuwaiti kids but without the witches and the Satanic associa- tions. 7. Ghabqas, ghabqas, ghabqas. Pretty much every single company or organization will host a Ramadan ghabqa for their staff and often give away fun prizes including flights, electronics and other treats. 8. Shorter working hours. Even the private sector gets cut from 48 hours to 36 hours per week during Ramadan, giving everyone including expat employees a chance to spend more time with their families during the holy month. 9. Everyone is required to fast in public and this means that even those who do not normally fast will suffer a little bit. This in turn helps us all to remember those who live in poverty and oth- ers like the millions of refugees all around the world who do not know when they will have their next meal. We all should remember their suffering and do what we can to help. Ramadan in Kuwait reminds us of that. 10. Spending time with family, visiting friends and the slower pace of life (especially during a sum- mer-time Ramadan). Another reason to be grateful for Ramadan in Kuwait. Ramadan Kareem everyone! KUWAIT: Arabic sweets are widely popular in Kuwait during Ramadan, with favorites like kanafa made fresh daily in shops across the country. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Local FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2015 Local Spotlight Arab maids !! By Muna Al-Fuzai [email protected] hile we are looking forward to the National Assembly addressing the issue Wof domestic labor for the benefit of all parties - sponsors and maids - once and for all, a new call was made to diversify the nationalities of domestic workers, specifically calling for allow- ing Arab maids. This suggestion spawned a bar- rage of comments, ranging from jokes to remarks about the services required and the role expect- ed to be played by the helpers. I did not know that bringing in Arab servants was forbidden, as I remember that in the past - specifically in the ‘70s - Arab nationals were allowed to work as servants, but over the years, they disappeared and were replaced by Asian workers of various nationalities such as Sri Lankans, Indians, Indonesians, Filipinos and oth- ers. With the increase in the number of maids, problems have increased. Most differences are due to the lack of the sponsors’ commitment to the financial rights of maids. Not all sponsors are alike - some are fair and kind, while some are evil and domineering. Some sponsors who are cruel and depraved torturers push their maids to revenge and sometimes sui- cide. So far, the problems have not been resolved, so bringing in other nationalities will only increase the complexity of the current prob- lem. There have been parliamentary calls for the establishment of specialized labor companies to provide all safeguards to protect the interests of the sponsors and the maids. But more labor firms will mean the continuation of a culture of dependency on servants and the conflict will continue. I believe companies offering hourly labor services is the solution to achieve consen- sus for all. Hourly labor companies are important to fight dependency on servants and marketing of the idea that the maid is a private possession of the sponsor to do whatever he/she wishes - torture or harassment that may be sexual or verbal. It will promote a new thinking that everyone in the 1436 - 2015 family is responsible and the maid is not there to 09. What is the old name of Al-Madinah-tul- babysit all day and night. Moreover, the family Munawarah? that needs the maid will be forced to pay the company directly and such measures will ensure Yathrab the end of manipulation. Dar Alhejra Kuwaiti society depends on expat labor for most jobs and this is not surprising, as all Gulf Teebah states also do so.