RAMADAN 25, 1440 AH THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2019 28 Pages Max 47º Min 28º 150 Fils Established 1961 ISSUE NO: 17846 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net Passenger traffic up by Modi healthcare scheme Nadal powers on in Paris; 2 8 percent this summer 9 won hearts - and votes 28 Tsitsipas battles through IMSAK 03:06 Fajr 03:16 Dhur 11:45 Asr 15:20 Magrib 18:42 Isha 20:12 Prominent activists and ex-MPs call for General Amnesty Law Government urged to free jailed activists, lawmakers By B Izzak al months, is essential to solidify the domes- were among hundreds of protesters who nected to a media campaign to fuel sectarian, punished by revoking their citizenship which tic front in the wake of soaring regional ten- entered the National Assembly building fol- factional and racist divisions in the society was used as a weapon by authorities. KUWAIT: A group of senior activists, sions and threats of war. lowing a protest against corruption that run by corrupt media. The statement called for issuing a General including former opposition MPs, yesterday The statement said that the group of called for the resignation of the former prime It said that thousands of Kuwaitis reacted Amnesty Law to pardon all those jailed in the called on authorities to cooperate to issue a opposition activists who received jail terms minister. positively with such developments by staging storming of the Assembly case or those con- General Amnesty Law for dozens of had been convicted on criminal charges that The statement recalled that the protest massive protests and by electing a National victed in opinion cases to strengthen the activists and ex-MPs who were handed jail they had never committed and they never took place in the wake of uncovering a major Assembly dominated by the opposition that country. Opposition MP Mohammad Al- terms for storming the National Assembly had any intention to violate the law. The con- corruption case in which MPs in parliament was scrapped by the court four months later. Mutair said the statement represents the building in 2011. The group said in a state- victs, who include former prominent MPs were involved amid official reports about The statement said that a majority of overwhelming majority of the Kuwaiti people ment that pardoning those activists, who Waleed Al-Tabtabai, Jamaan Al-Harbash, financial wrongdoings at the office of the reformists found themselves either in jail or and hoped that this message reached mem- have been staying abroad for the past sever- Mussallam Al-Barrak and Faisal Al-Muslim then prime minister, with all the events con- were forced to leave the country or were bers of the National Assembly. UAE expatriates get Eid holidays a taste of Ramadan begin June 4 DUBAI: Nida Mohammed drove for more than an hour from Fujairah to Sharjah in the UAE just to buy special KUWAIT: The Civil Service Commission (CSC) Iraqi sweets and juices for the Muslim fasting month of announced yesterday that Eid Al-Fitr holidays Ramadan. “Over there (in Fujairah) you can’t find Iraqi will begin on Tuesday June 4, ending Thursday stuff,” Mohammed says, as she picks up her order of June 6. Official working hours shall resume on sharbet zbeeb, or raisin juice, a special Iraqi drink taken Sunday June 9, whether Eid fell on Tuesday or to break the day-long fast. The oil-rich United Arab not, CSC said in a press statement. State authori- Emirates is home to more than nine million expatriates ties with special working hours should arrange who hail from well over 100 countries and form 90 per- their work timing in a manner that would serve cent of the population. the public interest. — KUNA During Ramadan, immigrants in the Gulf state recon- nect with traditions from their homeland, especially the rituals of breaking the fast and taking lots of traditional desserts and juices. Shops like this help “me remember the country we came from,” says Mohammed, who made the Ramadan Kareem journey with family members and stocked large quantities of Iraqi sweets. Muslims around the world refrain from eating and drinking, as well as from sex, between sunrise SHARJAH: The Al-Rabat Sweets and Bakery, founded by Iraqi immigrants in the UAE, is pictured during the Muslim When God spoke and sunset during Ramadan. — AFP (See Page 19) holy month of Ramadan. — AFP By Teresa Lesher Country, a person is innocent,” Trump tweeted, e often offer silent or audible prayers, ‘Case is closed,’ moments after the special counsel’s appearance. “The asking for help from our Creator, for case is closed! Thank you.” Wsuccor from our problems, for blessings Mueller stressed that his report did not exonerate on our loved ones, and for forgiveness for our mis- says Trump on Trump of the crime of obstruction of justice, but takes. We also - unfortunately less often - thank explained that charging him was not an option because of Him for our sustenance and surroundings, our fam- Mueller probe Justice Department policy not to indict a sitting president. ilies and abilities. “Under longstanding department policy, a president can- We communicate with God, and we may per- WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said not be charged with a federal crime while he is in office,” ceive the conversation as one-sided since we yesterday that Robert Mueller’s first public statement Mueller said in his first public comments in two years. receive no spoken or written response. But what on his high-stakes probe into Russian election med- “That is unconstitutional. “ A Special Counsel’s Office if the Almighty Creator of the heavens and earth dling contained nothing new-declaring the case is part of the Department of Justice, and by regulation, it did answer you - did send you a spoken or writ- “closed.” “Nothing changes from the Mueller Report. was bound by that department policy,” Mueller said. ten response? What would He say? Would it be There was insufficient evidence and therefore, in our Continued on Page 24 US President Donald Trump one word? A 20-minute speech? A letter? Or an entire book? In the month of Ramadan, 1450 years ago, God sent us a message. It is the Quran, the Speech of God, revealed through the angel Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who dictated it so it Iranian mines could be transcribed for all of humanity. It is a direct message for you and me, and all humankind. In fact, many verses of the Quran are addressed to ‘likely caused’ “O People!” or “O Mankind!” These are general verses for every living soul. tanker blasts While some verses are addressed particularly to believers, in fact, the whole Quran is a message for ABU DHABI: US National Security each of us. The Quran is the only divinely revealed Advisor John Bolton said yesterday scripture that has remained intact in its original that Iran was almost certainly behind US National Security Advisor Bolton language throughout the centuries, being widely oil tanker attacks that sent Gulf ten- available until today. It has also been translated in sions soaring - an accusation Tehran owners and the countries involved will virtually every language across the globe. dismissed as “laughable”. The new war release at their discretion. But I think So what did God say in this book to us from Him? of words came on the eve of emer- it’s important for the leadership in Iran Following are a few key verses: “O mankind, worship gency Arab and Gulf summits called to know that we know,” he said. your Lord, who created you and those before you, by Iran’s regional rival Saudi Arabia to Iran strongly rejected the accusa- that you may become righteous. [He] who made for discuss the standoff and ways to iso- tion. “Making such laughable claims... you the earth a bed [spread out] and the sky a ceiling late Tehran. is not strange” coming from the US, and sent down from the sky rain, and brought forth It follows a US military buildup that foreign ministry spokesman Abbas thereby fruits as provision for you. So do not attrib- BYBLOS: A Lebanese woman smokes waterpipe at a restaurant in the coastal city includes the deployment of an aircraft Mousavi said. “Mr Bolton and other ute to Allah equals while you know [that there is of Byblos north of Beirut. — AFP carrier, B-52 bombers and 1,500 more warmongers and chaos seekers should nothing similar to Him].” (2:21-22) troops to the region. Speaking during know that the strategic patience, high “O People! Remember the favor of Allah upon a visit to the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, vigilance and complete defensive you. Is there any creator other than Allah who pro- Lebanese bubble with Bolton said that additional US forces readiness of the Islamic Republic of vides for you from the Heaven and the Earth? were sent to the Middle East as a Iran... will prevent the fulfillment of There is no deity except Him, so how are they “deterrent” and that Washington’s their evil desires for chaos in the turned away? If they deny you (O Muhammad) so anger over hookah tax response will be prudent. The four region,” Mousavi added. were messengers denied before you. To God all ships, including two Saudi tankers, US experts are part of a five-nation affairs are returned (for decision).” (35:3-4) “O BEIRUT: Flipping the hot coals on his smokers who are displeased with a govern- sabotaged off the Emirati coast on team that is investigating the attacks People! God’s promise is true, so do not let the green hookah in a crowded Beirut cafe, ment decision to impose a new tax on May 12 were attacked using “naval off the UAE emirate of Fujairah.