Min 27º Max 45º High Tide 03:35 & 14:45 Low Tide SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 SHAABAN 5, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net 09:20 & 22:05 Kuwait32 PAGES NO: 16529 150 FILS mourns Al-Khorafi ‘Former parliament speaker dies at 75’ Amir offers condolences KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday sent a cable of condolences to the family of the former speaker of Kuwait’s National Assembly Jassem Al-Khorafi who passed away on Thursday at the age of 75 and was buried yesterday. His Highness the Amir highlighted achievements of the deceased, saying that Kuwait has lost one of the country’s “dear sons and loyal men.” He empha- sized the copious record of great services Al-Khorafi offered to Kuwait through the posts he held. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah send a similar cable to Al-Khorafi family. Born in 1944, Al- Khorafi came from a locally highly-revered family of businessmen and politi- cians. He was voted an MP nine times and a National Assembly speaker from 1999 to 2011. He was also appointed as Minister of Finance and Economy from 1985-1990. — KUNA KUWAIT: The body of the former speaker of Al-Khorafi was born in 1944 in the neigh- long political and business experiences in this the Kuwaiti National Assembly Jassem Al- borhood of Qiblah of Kuwait City and regard. He was voted an MP nine times and a Khorafi was buried yesterday having achieved belonged to a highly-revered family of busi- speaker of the National Assembly from 1999 distinguished efforts that contributed to serv- nessmen and politicians. His father to 2011. Al-Khorafi was appointed Minister of ing the country and its renaissance on the Abdulmohsin was an MP and was responsible Finance and Economy from 1985-1990. economic and parliamentary levels. Al- for forming the Al-Khorafi Group in 1956, one The father of six sons and a daughter was Khorafi, who was a renowned politician and of the largest trading firms in the country. The seen by observers as a component in a bal- businessman, passed away late Thursday at family business developed into the financial, anced equation during his political career. the age of 75. He reportedly suffered a heart telecommunications and industrial sectors, He played a prominent role during political attack while flying home from a private visit and it is now estimated to be worth more challenges that faced the country. He also to Turkey. Government officials, lawmakers than $10 billion. had a key role as an influential contributor in and other prominent figures in Kuwait Jassem Al-Khorafi had a prominent role as a number of Arab, regional and international mourned the passing of the former speaker. a political and economic pundit due to his charities. CONDOLENCES Dr. Ziad, Abd Al-Rahman and Saleh Al-Alyan convey their deepest condolences to 9d%C`gjYÚ>Yeadq on the sad demise of Former National Assembly Speaker BYkk]e9d%C`gjYÚ May Allah Almighty bestow His mercy on him SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 LOCAL Kuwait mourns Al-Khorafi — Photos by Yasser AL-Zayaat KUWAIT: Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Fawwaz Al-Khalid “Kuwait has lost a man of the most patriotic and devoted kind. Khorafi family and the entire Kuwaiti people noting that expressed deep condolences to Kuwait’s leadership, govern- He was a sound of wisdom, reason, foresight, and always pri- Khorafi was an iconic Kuwaiti politician who had effectively ment and people on the sad demise of the former speaker of oritized the public’s interests and Kuwait’s greater good,” he contributed to political life in Kuwait during very hard periods. the house, Jassem Al-Khorafi, who passed away here Thursday. said adding that he worked with him as a house speaker dur- “After serving as an MP in nine parliaments, Khorafi lead the Khalid also extended his condolences to the Arab and Muslim ing his previous parliamentary memberships in 2008 and 2009 parliament from 2009 to 2011,” he said adding that Khorafi’s nations and the whole world noting that Khorafi was a role and that he had accompanied him on many visits abroad. “He performance in politics, as well as in the economy, impressed model of patriotism and service to his country, saying “Many was the best ambassador to his country on those visits,” he everybody. people have learned a lot from Khorafi’s wisdom and perform- said. Deputy Speaker of the House Mubarak Al-Khurainej ance in governmental, parliamentary and humanitarian activi- Former MP Essam Al-Dabbous issued a statement express- expressed condolences for Khorafi’s death noting that he him- ties.” ing heartfelt sadness for Khorafi’s demise in which he high- self had lost a ‘big brother’ who spent his life serving Kuwait MP Soud Al-Huraiji extended condolences to the Al-Khorafi lighted how Khorafi had significant influence in Kuwait’s mod- and its people. “Khorafi will always represent a school for all family and to the current speaker, Marzouq Al-Ghanim, noting ern history. “He was a real addition to parliamentary life and of us in terms of his long career, devotedness, ethics, morals, that by Khorafi’s death, Kuwait had lost one of its most loyal by his efficiency and patriotism, he managed to lead the par- respect, modesty, patience and so many things,” he lamented and devoted citizens who spent his life serving Kuwait and its liament through a very sensitive period that proved Kuwait praying to Allah to bestow His mercy on his soul. In addition, people. “His death was a shock to Kuwait,” he underlined not- really enjoys a great deal of democracy and liberty,” he said Khurainej called for naming one of Kuwait’s main streets, ing that Khorafi was a very wise, religious and benevolent adding that Khorafi was a benevolent man, descending from a public facilities, the new MPs building or the National man. family accustomed to and known for its benevolence. Assembly’s main conference hall after Khorafi in appreciation MP Askar Al-Enezi expressed deep sadness for Khorafi’s Former parliamentary elections candidate, Engineer Ahmed for all the services he did to Kuwait and for dedicating his death praying to Almighty Allah to bestow his mercy on him. Al-Hamad also expressed his deepest condolences to the Al- entire life to its causes. SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 LOCAL Information Minister eulogizes ex-Speaker KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Minister of Assembly speaker, as well as a leading pundit State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al- and business figure whose projects extended Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah yesterday wide and large, at home and abroad. expressed “deep sorrow and grief” over the In addition, he had managed through his death of the late renowned politician Jassem Al- lifetime to establish a broad network of social Khorafi. The former Speaker of Kuwait’s relations, on all levels, based on mutual respect National Assembly passed away on Thursday at and confidence, the minister said. Al-Khorafi the age of 75, and was buried yesterday. “The was a witness to several events Kuwait experi- deceased was one of prominent Kuwaiti figures enced since he joined politics in mid-1970s till who loved their country and served it sincerely,” the end, and he always upheld public interest Sheikh Salam said in a press statement, empha- above personal interest, Sheikh Salman said. sizing Al-Khorafi’s “unforgettable” services for Al-Khorafi was born in 1944 in the neighbor- Kuwait. hood of Qiblah of Kuwait City and he belonged History will always remember Al-Khorafi’s to a locally highly-revered family of business- persistent efforts and hard work for his country, men and politicians. His father Abdulmohsin he said, referring to him as a “loss for Kuwait, was an MP and formed Al-Khorafi Group, one of the Arab and Muslim Worlds” and one who had the largest trading firms in the country. He was a “rich and varied national and political experi- voted an MP nine times and a National ence.” Sheikh Salman referred to Al-Khorafi’s Assembly speaker from 1999 to 2011. Al- remarkable economic achievements as MP, a Khorafi was appointed Minister of Finance and Minister of Finance, and later as a National Economy from 1985-1990. — KUNA His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah with former speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly Jassem Al-Khorafi in a visit to the United Kingdom. — KUNA photos From left to right: Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, former Parliament Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi and HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah at an event. Al-Khorafi in a meeting with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Former National Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi and the late Amir HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al- Jaber Al-Sabah at the opening of Khairan Park. LOCAL SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 News Kuwait and Bahrain national In brief Guards discuss cooperation GCC industrial cooperation committee meets in Doha MANAMA: Acting Undersecretary of Al-Rifae noted that he has met, during tary facilities and fields of Bahraini National months to consider a number of measures Kuwait National Guard (KNG) Major- his visit, with Bahraini National Guard Guards, praising their distinctive training to enhance GCC joint action. The minister General Hashem Al-Rifae discussed with Commander Lieutenant-General Sheikh levels, good reputation, and outstanding added GCC continued making inroads to Bahrain’s National Guards leadership ways Mohammed bin Isa Al-Khalifa and Director training efficiency in all levels.