FREE Established 1961 Friday ISSUE NO: 17943 MOHARRAM 28, 1441 AH FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 Exploring the beauty Former French president 4 of Jahra’s Red Palace 10 Jacques Chirac dies at 86 PM tackles raft of key issues in UN address See Page 7 2 Friday Local Friday, September 27, 2019 PHOTO OF THE DAY War of rumors Local Spotlight By Muna Al-Fuzai [email protected] t is no secret that the world is going through a real crisis both globally and regionally, because the situ- Iation is delicate and critical. The problem is not in the crisis itself, because it can be resolved quietly behind closed doors. But rumors can easily shatter morale by creating unnecessary concern amongst the public. Rumors are known as a means of psychological war- fare. This makes it a threat to small societies such as ours, especially when some add their own views, wishes or comments as reliable sources. There is no doubt that news spreads quickly today, whether bad or good, due to the presence of social media and the proliferation of satellite TV and a large number of mobile devices. The rumor may be military, political, economic or social, but remains a method of psychological warfare. These days, because of the volatile situation in the Gulf region, rumors abound, touching events such as war and political relations, which affects people and what goes on behind closed doors. It is difficult to read the political scene and economic situation in the Gulf region because it is not possible to predict what could really happen in the next few months and what the situation will be. Recently, rumors have begun to increase. No one denies the tension in the Gulf region as well as in US- Iranian relations. This has a negative impact on the Hundreds of craftsmen work in various fields in the traditional Souq Al Mubarakiya. Here we see tailors at their sewing region, not because it is a sign of a devastating war, but machines. _ Photos by well known photojournalist Saleh Taqi because people worry about their future and lives. The fact is that war in any Gulf or Arab country will ignite the whole region with a war in which no one will emerge victorious and which will cause victims, in addition to Scammers target perfume buyers damaging vital security facilities. Any calls for war and conflicts undermines the impor- was shocked by her response. “My friend said she is sure tance of dialogue and diplomatic solutions, either by IN MY VIEW that this offer is a scam, as this popular store doesn’t have a hinting or by declaring openly, so I hope everyone will delivery service and doesn’t need to hold such promotions not rush to disseminate abusive opinions and conclu- as it’s already very much frequented by customers. So I had sions that could fuel the situation and increase anxiety By Nawara Fattahova doubts and went to the store to find the truth. among the people. Unfortunately, the store’s staff told me I wasn’t the only one [email protected] A rumor can be transmitted verbally or through the asking about this, as tens of people had come with a similar media, and is intended to break morale. It has an effective complaint,” explained Ibtisam. speed and influences people’s minds and emotions. It cammers work through a variety of means to make “I paid KD 39 for three perfumes, which are worth over KD 90. After what they told me at the store, I realized the tampers with them by formatting public opinion, making it their money off unsuspecting victims. From emails to perfumes I bought are counterfeit. So I didn’t even open one of the most important means of psychological warfare. telephone calls to whatsapp messages. In the Gulf S them and gave them away as gifts to my young niece. I I believe that the speed of the rumor depends on the we suffer a lot from scammers, both based in the region tried to call the number of the seller, which was a landline, transparency of the government in dealing with it. Lack and ones working in neighboring states. but they never answered. I didn’t file a case at the police of quick transparency and clarification by government A new scam in Kuwait is targeting women via telephone station as my husband refused to let me file a complaint,” agencies and the dissemination of right information can calls. Sellers of counterfeit perfumes are making cold calls she concluded. make rumors grow. I do not agree with those who to local numbers, then pretending to be from well known Visiting this store, the staff told Kuwait Times many peo- demand legal deterrence against those who spread local perfume shops. They offer ‘promotional’ rates on lux- ple had been complaining about the fake perfume delivery rumors, especially on mobile devices or social media, ury brand perfumes and free delivery to your home. scam since July. The saleslady said the management filed a because minds do not have walls. By educating people Ibtisam is one of those who bought these perfumes, as case at the police station, as these scammers are spoiling about any rumor, especially ones that are affecting the the caller convinced her she can exchange any of the per- their reputation by using the name of their store. political or economic situation, the government should fumes that she didn’t like at the local store. “When I Fake perfumes usually have a similar smell as the real bear its responsibility for clarification and transparency. received the phone call, I was doubtful about the genuine- fragrances, but are much less intense. So if the original per- I wish from everyone to be wary of transmitting false ness of these perfumes, but when the caller assured me that fume lasts for a couple of hours, the fake perfume will dis- information that would destabilize the security of a I can exchange them at the well-known store if I change appear after a few minutes. Fake perfumes are also avail- country or state, and pay close attention to people who my mind, I trusted him, as I didn’t imagine he could be able at traditional markets and exhibitions, and never cost use their time to spread rumors, whether religious or lying,” she told Kuwait Times. more than KD 5. So be careful and don’t get scammed by intellectual, which is very dangerous. After telling her friend about this great promotion, she random callers offering discounted perfumes! 4 Friday Local Friday, September 27, 2019 By Faten Omar In October of that year, a 4,000-strong force of Ikhwan from Saudi Arabia at- uwait Times will take you to explore tacked Kuwait and Jahra, which was de- the beauty of the Red Palace which fended by then ruler Sheikh Salem Al Kis located in the southeast section of Mubarak and 1,500 Kuwaiti fighters. The Kuwait’s second city, Al-Jahra. Jahra has battlefield was the Red Palace (Al-Qasr long been known as an oasis and a major Al-Ahmar), which now stands as a source agricultural center in Kuwait because of its of heroism and martyrdom. British military wells. intervention eventually turned the tide in The Kuwaiti writer, Yacoub Yousef Al- Kuwait’s favor. Hajji mentioned in his book “Old Kuwait The palace is a square-shaped building Images and Memories” that the Red with an area of about 19,000 square me- Palace was built in 1897 as a summer ters by a 15 feet high and 2 feet thick place for Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah. walls. The palace also has three main The Red Palace is considered one of gates. the most important historical landmarks of Above these walls, there are towers the State of Kuwait for its association with called ghoula at the four corners of the the famous 1920 Battle of Jahra. palace that have different sizes of holes. Friday 5 Local Friday, September 27, 2019 These were design to give infantrymen a view and line of fire in all directions. The four towers are built with bricks made from mud mixed with local desert shrubs. The palace has 33 rooms and six yards, one of the yards has a non-potable water well in the center. During the battle of Jahra, well water was used to treat the wounded and was drunk mixed with date palm to sweeten the taste. The name of the Red Palace derives from the type and color of mud that was used in its con- struction. The palace consists of three sections: the residence of the emir, mosque, and diwaniya. The Red Palace is currently used as the headquarters of the Badia Heritage Center that is under the umbrella of the National Council of Culture, Arts and Letters. Entry is free You can visit the Red Palace during its open- ing hours from Sunday to Thursday from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and evening timing from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM. The Red Palace also receives visitors in the week- end on Saturday from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM and from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM. The Red Palace is under the protection and authority of the National Council of Culture, Arts and Letters. — Photos courtesy the NCCAL and by Yasser Al-Zayyat 6 Friday Local Friday, September 27, 2019 Naming the streets of Kuwait By Nawara Fattahova Based on numbers but still named A street by any other name del and against the Muslims during his All streets in Kuwait have been assigned Confusion arises though when streets time.