Sarah Al-Sayegh: Iran’s first new Messi free-kick Chasing sunsets Airbus jetliner magic sends Barca and tornados4 lands38 in Tehran into46 Cup quarters Min 09º Max 19º FREE www.kuwaittimes.net NO: 17109- Friday, January 13, 2017 MPMP wantswants moremore taxestaxes onon expats;expats; MoHMoH hikeshikes feesfees KUWAIT: MP Safaa Al-Hashem speaks during a session See Page 7 of the National Assembly. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Local FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017 Local PHOTO OF THE DAY Spotlight How Islamic are we? By Muna Al-Fuzai [email protected] hich countries apply Islamic values even to get a glass of water, as long as the most? A study by professors at there are those who will work for you. No WGeorge Washington University wonder the rate of obesity is very high, came up with a surprising result that is because no one moves, not even in their shocking, but rational and wise. The univer- own homes. Islam calls for work and action sity worked on the study and framed a and to avoid laziness and dependency, and questionnaire. Upon completion of the is against slavery. study, New Zealand stood first, with The bleak situation we are facing today Luxembourg in second place and Ireland in the Muslim world is the result of bad third. Japan was also ranked among the decisions and conservative and discrimina- top. Kuwait ranked 48th globally. Egypt tory policies and behaviors, because when was ranked 153. Malaysia was 38th globally we face a social problem, we do not recog- and the first among Muslim countries. nize our mistakes and seek solutions - we The study did not consider the number try to accuse others including technology, of mosques and how many women wear which is incorrect. the niqab or the number of bearded men, As an example, look at the status of but looked deeply for things that reflect cleaners. How they are viewed by some? religious values and behaviors. It’s a great There are those who feel pity at their situa- study that deserves our attention. For tion, and there are those who pass by them example, Japan focuses since primary as if they do not exist, because they are school on a subject called “road ethics”, in poor. Then there are those who accuse which students learn about dealing with them of committing crimes, but no one others. The Japanese, even though they are asks why they are so desperate. one of the richest people in the world, Many still believe that religion is only don’t have maids, because the parents are about clothes, beards, prayers and fasting, responsible for the house and the children. and ignore that religion is also morality and I believe that morals are essential, and good treatment of others. In the Islamic help reinforce the importance of values of religion, there is no difference between self-reliance and avoiding laziness. I am white and black, with emphasis on duties also convinced that the large number of and rights, tolerance and compassion, maids in the house is a negative aspect and kindness and affection, and work and dili- dangerous, because it creates dependency gence. For Islamic countries to be at the and promotes racism. It sets in the minds of bottom of this list is natural, because if we children and also adults that you don’t apply Islam in our lives, we wouldn’t be in have to make efforts for your needs, not this situation. The link of the study: http://hossein-askari.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/how-islamic-are- Full moon fills the sky in Kuwait Wednesday night. — Photo by Ahmed Suroor/KUNA islamic-countries.pdf IN MY VIEW The ‘Kout attitude’ have lost our hope for the future and hopefully surmise takes a space of a family-size flat in a rundown building By Jeri Al Jeri how we might get it back. requires the infamous “wasta”, not to mention key mon- Kuwait has a wealth of untapped potential - and I do ey (another vile import that we should outlaw). Lack of not mean in buried oil. The people of Kuwait can reach seriousness and speed has disappointed the younger great heights. It’s true we are surrounded on all sides by generations and frustrated their efforts to develop them- [email protected] conflict and instability. Revolts and massacres close to selves and the Kuwaiti economy. Some government the Kuwaiti borders cause anxiety and tensions between efforts are helping - such as the commerce ministry’s various parties in the Kuwaiti parliament and keep us new office for expediting paperwork for small and medi- t is not glib to say that the year 2016 was a very chal- embroiled in constant - and unnecessary - conflicts. We um enterprises. But this is the tip of the iceberg of what lenging year for many countries around the globe. are distracted and unfocused rather than buckling down requires changing. ITrump is one of the latest misfortunes to be and keeping our eye on the ball to rebuild Kuwait to her Kuwait is considered to be the target of wealth acqui- unleashed like a caged animal on all that’s left of politi- former and future glory. sition more than the “motherland” that needs building. cal grace and tolerance. Countries including Belgium, Moreover, geopolitical analysts have warned that Historically, this piece of desert was deserted for its France, Turkey and the United States suffered horren- countries of the size and weight of Qatar, Bahrain and extreme heat and its very poor agricultural possibilities. dous terrorist attacks. Wars in Syria, Iraq and Yemen con- Kuwait will eventually be swallowed up by neighboring However, after the advent of the “black gold”, more tinue the madness. At home, Kuwait’s newest parliament giants. So the bad news of 2016 is not “out of our con- tribes from Iraq and Saudi Arabia found their comfort in has gotten off to a rocky start and few have high hopes cern”. Therefore, it is understandable that tensions the “Kout”. “Kout” is a logistical term that meant the stor- that it will achieve any good for the people of Kuwait between various parties in the Kuwaiti parliament have this year. age of goods and services. Nonetheless, these “goods” deviated from their familiar cases. The divisions are gravitated all the tribes to a novel central identity. The world is interconnected - however, this article will divided, in 2016, with allegiance to either Iran or Saudi Kuwaitis after the Iraqi invasion have never been more not review the past events on a global scale. Instead, it Arabia, the giants of the Middle East. gravitated towards their nationality, for which they paid will focus on where we are headed to as Kuwaitis in The corruption in the government sector has reached 2017. It will attempt to understand the reasons behind all-new heights. The crablike pace of all governmental with their blood and tears. Sadly, in 2017, Kuwaitis are the lethargy and lack of confidence that has seemed to processes and paperwork undermines our productivity. aware that the “Kout attitude” is gaining more ground have overtaken us. It will attempt to identify why we To open a new restaurant or an institution that only than “Kuwaiti-ness”. Local FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017 Overcharged! The case of a small package delivered in Kuwait By Nawara Fattahova ment authorities in Kuwait including the customer can lodge a complaint. “If the cus- ment through the same company narrated customs, airport and others. tomer suspects any bill on receiving a ship- his bad experience. “I was receiving goods ome shipping companies in Kuwait The bill included unnecessary fees ment, he or she can show the bill to the to distribute in Kuwait, and I never paid a have begun overcharging customers, labeled as ‘Bayan clearance’, ‘airport Consumer Protection Department in the single dinar, as delivery charges were paid Stacking on a range of unnecessary and charge’, a secondary ‘customs duty’, ‘stamp’, governorate where the shipping company by the sender. Unfortunately, the sender unregulated ‘fees’ that are not approved by ‘disbursement fee ‘and others. After the cus- is located. The inspector will ask the ship- once used a different company, which sur- the government. Few people understand tomer threatened to complain at the cus- ping company’s representative to visit the prised me with its poor service,” said Tony. what are the legitimate charges for pack- tomer protection department, the shipping department. If he refuses, the inspector “It delayed my shipment for almost a ages shipped to Kuwait and even fewer company agreed to refund half the amount. along with the customer will go to the com- month, I usually received it within three read the receipts or argue with the charges This isn’t the only case. Ibrahim is anoth- pany to resolve the conflict,” Ahmad told days maximum. Moreover, it charged a when a package is delivered to your door. er customer who received a gift from Dubai. Kuwait Times. huge amount for delivery. After I protested, Kuwait Times recently received several The courier demanded KD 5 as delivery Not issuing a receipt in Arabic is also a one of the staff there asked for a KD 100 complaints from customers and when charges. Ibrahim refused to pay, as it was a violation. “The customer should bring all the bribe to complete the procedures. I refused investigating the matter, learned that some and got angry, and threatened to complain companies overcharge customers, have no at the ministry. I also contacted the sender, clear and stated customs duties or charges who contacted the company, and it finally and are sometimes even asking outright for The company refused to discuss the bill or delivered the shipment without any unnecessary ‘handling fees’.