NOTICE TO OUR READERS Inside Qatar’s Renshaw, Starc Kuwait Times extends to our readers best wish- ‘gas capital revive Australia es for the Kuwait National & Liberation Day hol- of the world’ in Test idays! The newspaper will not publish 25-26 February. Our next issue will be published on February 27, 2017. 11 45

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www.kuwaittimes.net NO: 17151- Friday, February 23, 2017

SEE PAGES 2,4 & 9 Local FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2017

Residents in Al-Rawda area celebrate the Kuwaiti National & Liberation Day holidays by decorating the street with lights. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Local Spotlight Negative phenomena: Water guns

By Muna Al-Fuzai We are a country that relies on desalinated seawater for drinking [email protected]

he next two days will mark the 56th National Day against acts that can harm others, what can you expect? harmful, especially in this cold. and 26th Liberation Day of Kuwait. This event brings The world is facing a water crisis and there are people The director of the municipality said this year it will set Tback a lot of memories for those who witnessed the who are dying of thirst. We are a country that relies on a plan to eliminate negative practices during the celebra- period before and after the Iraqi invasion and how the desalinated seawater for drinking, so when we disregard tion, pointing out that the law will be applied to all those national celebration was a day of joy, pride and accom- a great blessing like water, anything can happen. If the who disturb the national celebrations, especially street plishment for everyone. Times have changed now, with parents are ignorant and careless, why blame the chil- vendors who take advantage of the national holidays by much demand for traveling during the short holiday until dren? It is unfortunate that some people make offensive selling foodstuff, fireworks and water guns. This is a good the so-called celebrations are over on Monday. mistakes as a means of joy. plan and I really hope it will work out. Time will tell. It is Since last week, I have been receiving calls from expat Municipality Director General Ahmad Al-Manfouhi said necessary to apply the law strictly on these vendors, friends planning to travel out of Kuwait in the coming in a press statement two days ago that the municipality is whether they are roaming or not. And why not extend the days. Of course they do not want to expose themselves to decorating streets with Kuwaiti flags for the national ban on baqalas that sell water guns? harm by water guns and foam in the streets in the name occasions and is preparing to maintain cleanliness. This is It is amazing how we Kuwaitis allow a few people to of joy during the national holidays. nice and good, but it does not mean that the phenome- turn our National Days into travel periods for most expats A friend asked me about the relationship between the non of water guns has ended. and many Kuwaitis who don’t want anything to do with use of water or foam sprays and the National Day of Since the last few years, water guns have taken over the mess during the coming days. I have a tip for all those Kuwait. I told him there is no connection. But in the the roads to celebrate instead of foam sprays, and chil- who will remain in Kuwait. If you don’t want to get wet in absence of real enforcement of law and penalties, any- dren have turned streets into pools of water. Some roam this cold and don’t want to take part in these so-called thing can happen. We will keep seeing these harmful the streets spraying water on everyone, motorists and water celebrations, stay at home and stay warm. Happy images every year. Also, when parents take no action pedestrians. This is unacceptable and it is not funny but holidays! Local FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2017

Kuwaiti National and Liberation Days 2017

I believe the U.S. partnership with Kuwait is as mutually provide excellent care to Kuwaiti patients, U.S. health insti- beneficial to our peoples now as it was back in 1990-91 - in tutions provide support and training as Kuwait expands its By Lawrence Silverman, US many ways. The Strategic Dialogue that the United States own healthcare infrastructure. Ambassador to the State of Kuwait and Kuwait inaugurated last October in Washington will Since arriving here late last September, I have been help us enhance the already close defense, economic, inspired by the enduring spirit and determination of educational and cultural ties between our two nations. Kuwaitis who draw from their history to take on a leader- The United States and Kuwait agree that our partnership ship role in a region facing significant challenges. Kuwait warmly congratulate the Government and people of should produce practical results for our citizens. has been appropriately recognized as a regional leader in Kuwait on the 56th anniversary of their independence Our leaders have also agreed on the importance of meeting humanitarian challenges. In this way, Kuwait is Iand the 26th anniversary of liberation. The United strengthening bilateral economic and education coopera- investing in the stability of the region. Kuwait is also a States is proud to have contributed to the liberation of tion, building on the progress achieved at the Strategic regional leader in constitutional and participatory gover- Kuwait and remains proud today to be a partner in a close, Dialogue. Trade and investment between our two coun- nance. Kuwait’s media has retained its vibrancy and its independence, allowing for a free exchange of views, strategic and growing bilateral relationship. We made a tries are growing; we hope that will spur both growth and innovation. More than 15,500 Kuwaiti students are study- charting a path for Kuwait’s future. These are all distinc- commitment to Kuwait’s liberation, and we helped make ing in America. Each day those students bring their own tions of which the Kuwaiti people can justifiably be proud. that a reality in 1991. Our commitment to Kuwait’s unique set of experiences to our classrooms, lecture halls, It is my honor to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait. I defense demonstrated then continues to the present day. and college student groups - as their parents and grand- look forward to exploring new ways for the Governments The United States is continuing to deliver and provide parents did earlier. Our policy of welcoming these stu- of the United States and Kuwait, and for Americans and training for the capabilities that enable Kuwait’s Armed dents to our country has not changed. These students are Kuwaitis, to work together. I thank the people of Kuwait Forces to deter as well as to defend against those that bringing home what they learned in America to help forge for the warm welcome they have shown my family and me would seek to do harm to the nation. In the recent tele- Kuwait’s future. over the past five months and look forward to creating phone call between President Trump and His Highness, I believe in the future of close U.S - Kuwaiti cooperation more friendships with the Kuwaiti people. Once again, “Alf the Amir, the US President reaffirmed this strong defense not only in education, but in the fields of science and mabrook” to our Kuwaiti friends on the marking of these partnership. healthcare as well. Even as America’s hospitals continue to proud milestones. Local FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2017

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti families chat with security officials as they celebrate Kuwait’s 56th National Day and 26th Liberation anniversary. Kuwait National Day is celebrated on the 25th of February to mark the creation of the state in 1961. The National Day is the most celebrated holiday in this Arab country. The nation-wide festivities include an elaborate fireworks display, public meetings and conferences, get-togethers with food and drink for everyone and lots of entertaining activities. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat Local FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2017

IMPRINT Kuwaiting for love

By Nejoud Al-Yagout We showed the world and ourselves, more importantly, that inclusiveness is more [email protected] than just a pipe dream.

n June 26, 2015, IS attacked the Imam Sadiq messages of love in honor of those who either lost their acts and messages of goodwill. Mosque in Kuwait during Friday prayers and in the lives or were injured. And both locals and expats rushed to Sadly, though, mere months later, we resumed our old Oholy month of Ramadan, killing 27 Shiite worship- blood banks to donate blood for those in need. ways, which is often the case for human beings. In fact, pers and injuring more than 200. Within half an hour, our Additionally, doctors, nurses and medical staff - who were my father constantly reminded us that the word for Amir, HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, not even on duty - tended to the injured. Posters around human being in Arabic - insan - is etymologically derived arrived at the scene of the attack. When the guards pres- Kuwait displayed the loving words of our ruler: “These are from nisyan, which means forgetfulness. And, now, ent at the site saw him, they asked him to leave the area, my children.” almost two years since the attack, we seem to be taunting which was not secured yet, but with tears in his eyes, he Kuwait sent a message, loud and clear, that tragedy is expats even more than ever before. responded: “These are not my people; these are my chil- an opportunity to bring the unity back in a community; a There are proposals to put in place stringent laws that dren.” community that is, unfortunately, dictated by social and will affect only foreigners. It is as though we are channel- Never before had a ruler of a country come to the financial status, tribes, race, nationality and religion. Still, ing all our fears of a possible economic recession or ter- scene of a terrorist attack so swiftly, but this is indicative in the aftermath of the attack, all the people living in rorist attack on our guests, who come here for a better of the potential for unity in Kuwait. Although there are Kuwait came together, regardless of our backgrounds. life, only to experience dismay at our intolerance against separate mosques for Sunnis and Shiites, on the day of We showed the world and ourselves, more importantly, those who are not from here. the attack, they prayed side by side in mosques around that inclusiveness is more than just a pipe dream. But, love is the frequency that will help us ascend. It is Kuwait, a country in which Shiites are a minority, compris- All across town, citizens and expats participated in stronger than conditioning, racism, intolerance, hate, ing around 30 percent of the population and a little over efforts to alleviate the shock and pain of the attack. fear, exclusivity. So much stronger. And perhaps during 36 percent of the Kuwaiti citizen population. The funeral Runq8 - a charity race in Kuwait organized by the Fawzia the national celebrations, we can remember that it does for the 27 martyrs who died was attended by 200,000 citi- Sultan Rehabilitation - held solidarity walks from not take an invasion or a terrorist attack to embrace zens. In a country that houses around 3,370,000 residents, Sunday, June 27 until Thursday, July 1 at Hamra Tower. everyone. the turnout was astronomical! And a local bank ran an ad in which a young boy asked And perhaps we can also remember that National Day The outpouring of love in our community in the after- his father whether he was Sunni or Shiite, to which his is not about basking in patriotism, but a day that includes math was even praised by neighboring countries. As a father responded: “You are Kuwaiti.” Though the ad did everyone living in this nation, Kuwaiti or not. Essentially, nation mourned, there were, thankfully, no vigilantes who not mention the foreigners living in Kuwait, it was still a our collective nation is Earth, which is way beyond bor- took the law into their hands. Instead, the ammunition used message of solidarity, albeit an exclusive one. These were ders and includes all sentient beings. in retaliation was love. People took to social media to send our acts of defiance. We let anger and grief manifest into Local FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2017

What to do when you lose your wallet in Kuwait ‘Lost driver’s license, Civil ID most important to replace immediately’ By Ben Garcia

lost my wallet two weeks ago with all my important identifi- Ication and bank cards inside. This unfortunate incident led me to face the tedious bureaucratic process of reacquiring my Civil ID card and driving license, which unquestionably are the most important and most-needed documents for any expat in Kuwait.

The first step When you lose hope of finding your wallet, the next thing to do is to report the incident to the authorities and set the process in motion. The police desk was cooperative. When I told the police officer I had lost my wallet, he asked where and when it happened. In order to continue with the process, the police at the desk provided me with all the documents needed to file the report. First, you will need a letter from your employer for the driv- ing license and Civil ID. Along with it, you need to provide a copy of your company’s etimad tawqia (authorized signature form), a copy of your passport and a printout from the traffic department of the lost/stolen license. In my case, the police told me that this can be done in a day. But my boss was out of Kuwait, so there was no way I could secure the documents I wanted in a day. I had to wait till he returned, as he is the only person allowed to sign the letter. This is why the etimad tawqia is needed - to verify the signa- ture. After my boss returned, he signed my request, and I immediately went to the police station for the papers that I had to take to the traffic department in Jabriya.

Jabriya traffic department There, the police papers will be attached to a typed form in a room, for which you are required to pay KD 1. After securing “You will need a copy of your company’s etimad tawqia the typed documents, the next step is to go to another room where an officer conducts a brief interview to find out why (authorized signature form), passport copy you need a new license. This officer seems to be the final arbiter to decide if you are allowed to get a new driving and a printout from the traffic department.” license. It you are denied, you will have to go to a higher- ranked police officer in the building for an appeal. But since I already had a license, I only needed him to sign. counter. Here, they’ll print out your new license and your though was a copy of the civil ID, passport or both. The officer signed and told me to take the signed docu- name will be called when it’s ready. But take note of this important point - you must have a ments to another counter. At that counter, I faced a new issue debit card to pay the penalty of KD 20 (no cash is accepted) for - officers told me to pay the penalties, which took another The Civil id procedure the lost Civil ID card. Since my ATM card was also stolen along hour. When I returned, another issue arose - I needed to pro- For my Civil ID, I didn’t know it can be reissued even without with my wallet, I had to ask someone else to pay using his vide them my photograph for the license. I didn’t have one, a police report. Though I did obtain papers from the police, debit card (which is allowed). I then repaid him in cash. The but a photography room there does it for free. The wait for the when I went to the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI), entire process took three days - from inquiry to paying the new license starts only after your papers are accepted at the they did not ask for the police report. What they needed fines to finally getting the ID card.

in my view Thenatophobia-Fear of violence

alone makes my stomach sink, thinking how many children abouts, keep ourselves busy in our phones while traveling, By Ramona Crasto must have walled-off their heart without sharing a word of avoid making new friends easily even though we travel their fear. with the same commuter