Racism Scars Europe Soccer; Sanctions 'Weak' Kuwait Records
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Kuwait records Racism scars account deficit Europe soccer; of KD 15109 m sanctions44 ‘weak’ Min 25º Max 42º FREE www.kuwaittimes.net NO: 17218 - Friday, May 5, 2017 LONDON: Britain’s Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II arrive at Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace in London, for an Order of Merit serv- ice yesterday. — AFP See Page 10 Local FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2017 Scribbler’s Notebook Photo of the day Article 29 By Jamie Etheridge [email protected] his week we saw the launch of a beautiful public service campaign aimed at combatting what has Tbecome rampant racism and discrimination. Across Kuwait, on the front pages of newspapers, on billboards and all over social media, were advertise- ments highlighting one of the most important articles of the Kuwaiti Constitution. I repeat it here for those who missed it: Kuwait, Article 29: Religion, Equality and Freedom 1. All people are equal in human dignity and in public rights and duties before the law, without distinction to race, origin, language or religion. 2. Personal liberty is guaranteed. In several versions of the ad, photos of locals stand- ing with expats highlighted our interdependence, a clear message that we need to co-exist peacefully and respectfully. The message is much needed in a time when even lawmakers, political leaders who should be serving as role models for their communities, feel free to denigrate and humiliate expats. It’s easy to understand why people are frustrated. Kuwait does have a lot of challenges and truthfully KUWAIT: Two youth enjoy the slides at a local water park in this file photo. Higher temperatures mean weekend at the beach, pools and water parks in Kuwait. Dust storms, however, have limited outdoor activities in recent days. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat there are thousands of expats here who do not con- tribute anything to the society and who take advantage of Kuwait’s social services. Local Spotlight But as we’ve learned with Trumpism, painting an entire group of people by the actions of a few does nothing to better a society and can only harm it. There are 10 times more expats here who love Kuwait, who The spread of drugs grew up here or who work here and believe in con- tributing to the country’s long term development. This piece, though, isn’t about defending expats. It is instead a request for those who believe in Article 29 to do more. We can all do something - however small By Muna Al-Fuzai and personal. We can refuse to think along racist lines, refuse to judge people based on their nationality and instead consider the quality of their character. We can [email protected] invite our domestic helpers to eat dinner with the fami- ly, ask her how her day went. We can teach our children to speak a different language and make friends with kids of different backgrounds. n alarming statement was published recently by should be considered victims and offered treatment, not We can build bridges between different communi- Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior (MoI) about the imprisonment. The General Directorate for Combating General Directorate for Drug Control regarding Narcotics has called on the public to report suspected ties. It’s easy to claim that locals are the only ones who A the arrests of many suspects for being involved in drugs drug pushers as a way to protect children. are racist but I can attest from personal experience that crimes last month. A total of 52 drugs cases were regis- I know some parents may think that these issues do not almost every community in Kuwait is silo’d at least par- tered in only the first half of April and 66 accused people concern them. They may believe their children would nev- tially due to their own choice. There are plenty of expats were involved. er use drugs or that they are immune from bad influences. here who prefer to live in a bubble of people of their Think about that for just a minute. In 15 days, 52 drug- But trust me, kids are exposed to drugs in a variety of own origin rather than take the time and effort to make related cases. That’s nearly 3.5 cases every day. Now think settings including at school and in their social life with friends with people from other places. about the amount and types of drugs involved. How family and friends. Some children may try it as a way to In short, we can all be role models for compassion, widespread the use of drugs - especially deadly ones like escape family control, others due to peer pressure. I cooperation and positive interaction. heroin, shabu (methamphetamine), pills and cocaine. believe parents must warn their kids about the dangers Public service announcements only make a differ- The crackdown has come as the General of drugs and explain the consequences and the harm ence when they change people’s behavior. Remember Administration for Drug Control also adopted a new that can arise from drug use and abuse. the Tarsheed campaign from several years back? I won- approach in cooperation with the Anti-Narcotics Office Addiction to narcotics is a catastrophe that can dam- der how many people have reduced their personal and the Center for the Treatment of Addiction in dealing age an entire family and harm the larger society. Drugs energy consumption as a consequence. with users who may be victims by receiving complaints of are a form of corruption and we need to tackle drug The government can buy public relations inserts in addiction from drug users’ families or through voluntary abuse, collectively as a society. We are a small and open global newspapers but the truth will out, as they say. If a action from the user himself, seeking treatment. Thus 59 country and we can work together to overcome this evil. cases were referred to the addiction treatment center. The media has a great role in educating and warning society is unjust, no one is fooled. This is a great step by the Interior Ministry since arrests people by informing them of the danger of drugs. I also As the Article 29 ads make clear, the spirit of Kuwait - of narcotics smugglers and dealers alone is not enough believe that strict control of the airport, land and sea how its perceived by the people who live here and by to stop the flood of drug use among our children. Users ports are essential to combat this scourge. the rest of the world - is up to each and every one of us. Local FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 A DAY IN THE LIFE A lifeguard in Kuwait: Superman in the water By Ben Garcia swimming, I enrolled in the life saving tech- niques course which I took for more than a ummer is just around the corner, as year. This program prepared me to be a life always on the top of our bucket list of saver which I thought was a good job after Sour summer plans is to spend a day with school. Indeed I got a good job in a big hotel our family at the beach or in a swimming in Colombo, I become an assistant lifeguard pool. But how sure are we about our safety at and a fulltime lifeguard later,” he said. the sea? Sharks, stingrays and even jellyfish After completing three years in Colombo, lurk just beneath the waves. Even more Manjula tried his luck abroad. “I have a family unpredictable are rip currents, body cramps friend here in Kuwait who helped me with and the possibility of drowning. Even in a this job. It was fast, after three months of swimming pool, the danger of drowning informing him, he sent me the visa from remains. A lifeguard is the person who helps Crowne Plaza, Kuwait. Since 2005 I have been us get through such situations making his a lifeguard here,” he said. Before assuming a job equally important as any other. job as senior life guard and a coach, Manjula Manjula Wickramasingha, 39, a Sri Lankan also underwent several training courses national, has worked as a lifeguard at the sponsored by Crowne Plaza. Crowne Plaza Hotel for the past 12 years. He “They sent me to a training course with started working as an assistant lifeguard back the American Lifeguard Association, at an home, on getting hired from Colombo, he office in Salmiya. Certification is very impor- was in the forefront of the job. He never tant before allowing someone for this job. I changed his profession. also took another short course in ‘First Aid.’ “Being a lifeguard is such a huge responsi- I also have the license to apply/secure first bility. I take this job very seriously because aid when things happen,” he said. the life of every client using our swimming Manjula who is married, with two kids, pool is very precious,” he said. starts his duty at 6am till 2pm . Since he is on morning duty, he is in-charge of checking the Swimming from childhood water clarity, temperature and its mineral Manjula started training when he was contents. “In the morning I check everything eight years old. “When I was a small boy, I in the water; I make sure that the tempera- accompanied my father everywhere. In ture is okay, the chlorine content must be perfect and even the cleanliness of the sur- roundings. I need to make sure that every client we have is in a comfortable area, every- thing is neat and clean and all the necessary accessories in the swimming pool are pres- ent.