Monday, 30 March 2015
Sunday, 13 May 2012
Kuwait warns against campaigning for Egypt's candidates
Kuwait has pledged a zero-tolerance policy towards organising campaigns or using mosques to promote candidates in Egypt's presidential elections.
As the May 24 date for the first round of the historic elections inexorably approaches, several Egyptians living in Kuwait have used mosques to encourage their fellow citizens to vote for Mohammad Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood candidate.
However, Kuwait said that foreigners did not have the right to organise political rallies or to campaign for candidates and urged all expatriates to comply with the law.
As the May 24 date for the first round of the historic elections inexorably approaches, several Egyptians living in Kuwait have used mosques to encourage their fellow citizens to vote for Mohammad Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood candidate.
However, Kuwait said that foreigners did not have the right to organise political rallies or to campaign for candidates and urged all expatriates to comply with the law.
Thursday, 3 May 2012
Kuwait close to death penalty law for blasphemy
(Reuters) - Kuwaiti lawmakers endorsed a legal amendment on Thursday which could make insulting God and the Prophet Mohammad by Muslims punishable by death, in a second reading that brings the proposal a step closer to passing.
The plan still needs approval by Kuwait's ruler before it becomes law and follows a high-profile case of suspected blasphemy on Twitter which caused an uproar in the Gulf state.
The draft now includes a new clause which will mean the death penalty will only be applied if the person stands by their actions when questioned by a judge.
This would give defendants the opportunity to repent and face a prison term or a fine instead.
The amendment, which would apply the death penalty only for Muslims, was backed by 40 members of parliament, while six opposed it - slightly more than in the previous reading.
Around 85 percent of Kuwait's inhabitants are thought to be Muslim. Expatriate Christians and Hindus are the next largest groups.
The plan still needs approval by Kuwait's ruler before it becomes law and follows a high-profile case of suspected blasphemy on Twitter which caused an uproar in the Gulf state.
The draft now includes a new clause which will mean the death penalty will only be applied if the person stands by their actions when questioned by a judge.
This would give defendants the opportunity to repent and face a prison term or a fine instead.
The amendment, which would apply the death penalty only for Muslims, was backed by 40 members of parliament, while six opposed it - slightly more than in the previous reading.
Around 85 percent of Kuwait's inhabitants are thought to be Muslim. Expatriate Christians and Hindus are the next largest groups.
Sunday, 22 April 2012
Kuwait March inflation at 4-month high on strikes
Kuwait's annual inflation edged up to a four-month high of 4.1 percent in March as food costs surged in their fastest monthly pace in over a year, data showed on Sunday, fuelled by more expensive food globally and domestic strikes.
The Gulf Arab oil exporter had seen inflation easing from May's peak of 5.4 percent in 2011 but consumer price growth picked up speed again in January, partly due the food item.
Prices in the OPEC member's $171 billion economy grew 0.8 percent month-on-month in March, a six-month high, up from a 0.2 percent rise in February, data from the Central Statistics Office showed.
Thursday, 12 April 2012
‘Stop Animal Cruelty In Kuwait’
KUWAIT CITY, April 11: “Controlling the growing population of stray dogs and cats in Kuwait by poisoning them is inhumane, ineffective and un-Islamic and it must be stopped,” stated Nadia Al Kandari, Kuwaiti animal activist and retired investigator in the Ministry of Interior on Tuesday during a lecture forum on animal cruelty and animal rights dubbed “You can help us save animals in Kuwait “organized by the AWARE Center in Surra.
Al Kandari together with local photojournalist Claudia Farkas Al Rashoud tackled cases of animal poisoning, effects of animal poisoning to animals, people and the environment, measures taken by animal welfare groups and steps that need to be taken by the residents and citizens as well as the government to finally stop animal cruelty in Kuwait.
Al Kandari and Al Rashoud cited in their lecture presentation that with the inhumane ongoing official policy of poisoning stray dogs and cats, the status of animal rights in Kuwait has reached a new low.
Added to that, the widespread practice of dog fighting, illegal importation and breeding of wild animals that are unsuitable or dangerous as pets, dismal conditions in the animal section of the Friday Market, and other unpunished acts of animal cruelty all tarnish Kuwait’s reputation in the international community.
“There are about 5,000 stray dogs in Kuwait as well as a huge number of feral cats that have been subjected to animal poisoning everyday,” disclosed Al Rashoud. She cited that the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) has contracted a local company to carry out the animal population management control by poisoning them.
“Poisoning a stray animal results in very slow and very painful death.
It can take as long as several days to kill an animal and this is against Islamic principles. There is a fatwa (official religious ruling) against cruelty to animals, so whether or not you like dogs, poisoning them is definitely haram,” pointed out Al Kandari.
Al Rashoud explained that animal poisoning is ineffective in placing the population of stray animals under control as many animals do not identify the poison as food while humane methods are a better alternative.
“Animal poisoning poses danger to rare wildlife as well as pet animals that accidentally ingest a poisoned pellet placed randomly in parks and other sites. It can even kill a kid strolling in a place where poisoned dog food that sometimes comes in sugar cube is scattered around,” she cited.
She highlighted that humane population management strategies are better and have been carried out successfully for animal control, citing a pilot program of one animal welfare group done in the Ahmadi area that was funded by the Kuwait Oil Company. The program follows the guidelines of the World Society for the Protection of Animals.
“Those who are trapping the animals must be well trained and supervised to ensure that the program is carried out as humanely as possible.
Years ago, another animal welfare group, PAWS had meetings with the World Society for the Protection of Animals who came to Kuwait and offered to train staff for such a program, free of charge, but unfortunately, local authorities did not agree,” she said.
Al Kandari added that stray dogs captured using proper equipment can be sterilized, vaccinated and released to a non-residential area while those friendly dogs can be sent to the shelter and be evaluated by the animal welfare staff for possible adoption. For stray cats, one can follow a spay or neuter and release program. “After sterilization and vaccination, cats are released where they were found while friendly cats should be turned over to area shelters for possible adoption.
Al Kandari and Al Rashoud shared some cases wherein animals that died of poisoning are left to decompose in the streets posing grave threat to human health while others that don’t end up in one of the shelters suffer from accidents, injuries, extreme heat and coldness or some die from the cruelty of people.
Stressed
Al Rashoud stressed the need for the strict implementation of Animal Laws in Kuwait which are rarely enforced. “Kuwaitis can speak to their MPs on how the Animal Laws can be implemented. Some of them might take it as a joke but if you care about this issue, let them know that you’re serious. We have to start somewhere,” she stated.
Al Kandari and Al Rashoud also cited the need for a massive education and information campaign on the human treatment of animals among the public. “Kids at school can be taught of the importance of treating animals humanely,” pointed out Al Kandari.
Al Rashoud also called on the residents and citizens to have their own share in going out of their way by reporting stray or injured animals to concerned authorities. She also suggested that an animal welfare hotline should be installed similar to the emergency hotline 112. “If we could have the Arab Spring then we could also have the Animal Spring,” she stated eliciting some positive reactions from the audience. She then concluded the lecture with a quote from Mahatma
Gandhi: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
The lecture presentation was followed by an open forum wherein attendees mostly animal lovers and animal activists shared ideas on how to promote animal welfare in the country. Others were also urged to sign an online petition addressed to the PAAFR to stop animal poisoning as a method of animal population management control.
By: Michelle Fe Santiago Special to the Arab Times
Al Kandari together with local photojournalist Claudia Farkas Al Rashoud tackled cases of animal poisoning, effects of animal poisoning to animals, people and the environment, measures taken by animal welfare groups and steps that need to be taken by the residents and citizens as well as the government to finally stop animal cruelty in Kuwait.
Al Kandari and Al Rashoud cited in their lecture presentation that with the inhumane ongoing official policy of poisoning stray dogs and cats, the status of animal rights in Kuwait has reached a new low.
Added to that, the widespread practice of dog fighting, illegal importation and breeding of wild animals that are unsuitable or dangerous as pets, dismal conditions in the animal section of the Friday Market, and other unpunished acts of animal cruelty all tarnish Kuwait’s reputation in the international community.
“There are about 5,000 stray dogs in Kuwait as well as a huge number of feral cats that have been subjected to animal poisoning everyday,” disclosed Al Rashoud. She cited that the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) has contracted a local company to carry out the animal population management control by poisoning them.
“Poisoning a stray animal results in very slow and very painful death.
It can take as long as several days to kill an animal and this is against Islamic principles. There is a fatwa (official religious ruling) against cruelty to animals, so whether or not you like dogs, poisoning them is definitely haram,” pointed out Al Kandari.
Al Rashoud explained that animal poisoning is ineffective in placing the population of stray animals under control as many animals do not identify the poison as food while humane methods are a better alternative.
“Animal poisoning poses danger to rare wildlife as well as pet animals that accidentally ingest a poisoned pellet placed randomly in parks and other sites. It can even kill a kid strolling in a place where poisoned dog food that sometimes comes in sugar cube is scattered around,” she cited.
She highlighted that humane population management strategies are better and have been carried out successfully for animal control, citing a pilot program of one animal welfare group done in the Ahmadi area that was funded by the Kuwait Oil Company. The program follows the guidelines of the World Society for the Protection of Animals.
“Those who are trapping the animals must be well trained and supervised to ensure that the program is carried out as humanely as possible.
Years ago, another animal welfare group, PAWS had meetings with the World Society for the Protection of Animals who came to Kuwait and offered to train staff for such a program, free of charge, but unfortunately, local authorities did not agree,” she said.
Al Kandari added that stray dogs captured using proper equipment can be sterilized, vaccinated and released to a non-residential area while those friendly dogs can be sent to the shelter and be evaluated by the animal welfare staff for possible adoption. For stray cats, one can follow a spay or neuter and release program. “After sterilization and vaccination, cats are released where they were found while friendly cats should be turned over to area shelters for possible adoption.
Al Kandari and Al Rashoud shared some cases wherein animals that died of poisoning are left to decompose in the streets posing grave threat to human health while others that don’t end up in one of the shelters suffer from accidents, injuries, extreme heat and coldness or some die from the cruelty of people.
Stressed
Al Rashoud stressed the need for the strict implementation of Animal Laws in Kuwait which are rarely enforced. “Kuwaitis can speak to their MPs on how the Animal Laws can be implemented. Some of them might take it as a joke but if you care about this issue, let them know that you’re serious. We have to start somewhere,” she stated.
Al Kandari and Al Rashoud also cited the need for a massive education and information campaign on the human treatment of animals among the public. “Kids at school can be taught of the importance of treating animals humanely,” pointed out Al Kandari.
Al Rashoud also called on the residents and citizens to have their own share in going out of their way by reporting stray or injured animals to concerned authorities. She also suggested that an animal welfare hotline should be installed similar to the emergency hotline 112. “If we could have the Arab Spring then we could also have the Animal Spring,” she stated eliciting some positive reactions from the audience. She then concluded the lecture with a quote from Mahatma
Gandhi: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
The lecture presentation was followed by an open forum wherein attendees mostly animal lovers and animal activists shared ideas on how to promote animal welfare in the country. Others were also urged to sign an online petition addressed to the PAAFR to stop animal poisoning as a method of animal population management control.
By: Michelle Fe Santiago Special to the Arab Times
Friday, 30 March 2012
Kuwait Underlines Iran's N. Rights
TEHRAN (FNA)- Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah reiterated his country's support for Iran's civilian nuclear program.
Addressing the Arab League summit in Baghdad on Thursday, the Kuwaiti Emir reminded the West that all the world countries, including Iran, are entitled to the right to use the nuclear technology for civilian purposes.
"Using nuclear energy is a right of Iran and all countries," the Kuwaiti leader said.
He also demanded Iran to continue its constructive cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and endeavor to resolve any questions surrounding its nuclear program.
Washington and its Western allies accuse Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program, while they have never presented any corroborative evidence to substantiate their allegations. Iran denies the charges and insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
Tehran stresses that the country has always pursued a civilian path to provide power to the growing number of Iranian population, whose fossil fuel would eventually run dry.
Despite the rules enshrined in the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) entitling every member state, including Iran, to the right of uranium enrichment, Tehran is now under four rounds of UN Security Council sanctions for turning down West's calls to give up its right of uranium enrichment.
Tehran has dismissed West's demands as politically tainted and illogical, stressing that sanctions and pressures merely consolidate Iranians' national resolve to continue the path.
The Islamic Republic says that it considers its nuclear case closed as it has come clean of IAEA's questions and suspicions about its past nuclear activities.
Political observers believe that the United States has remained at loggerheads with Iran mainly over the independent and home-grown nature of Tehran's nuclear technology, which gives the Islamic Republic the potential to turn into a world power and a role model for the other third-world countries. Washington has laid much pressure on Iran to make it give up the most sensitive and advanced part of the technology, which is uranium enrichment, a process used for producing nuclear fuel for power plants.
Iran insists that it should continue enriching uranium because it needs to provide fuel to a 300-megawatt light-water reactor it is building in the southwestern town of Darkhoveyn as well as its first nuclear power plant in the southern port city of Bushehr.
Iran plans to construct additional nuclear power plants to provide for the electricity needs of its growing population.
Addressing the Arab League summit in Baghdad on Thursday, the Kuwaiti Emir reminded the West that all the world countries, including Iran, are entitled to the right to use the nuclear technology for civilian purposes.
"Using nuclear energy is a right of Iran and all countries," the Kuwaiti leader said.
He also demanded Iran to continue its constructive cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and endeavor to resolve any questions surrounding its nuclear program.
Washington and its Western allies accuse Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program, while they have never presented any corroborative evidence to substantiate their allegations. Iran denies the charges and insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
Tehran stresses that the country has always pursued a civilian path to provide power to the growing number of Iranian population, whose fossil fuel would eventually run dry.
Despite the rules enshrined in the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) entitling every member state, including Iran, to the right of uranium enrichment, Tehran is now under four rounds of UN Security Council sanctions for turning down West's calls to give up its right of uranium enrichment.
Tehran has dismissed West's demands as politically tainted and illogical, stressing that sanctions and pressures merely consolidate Iranians' national resolve to continue the path.
The Islamic Republic says that it considers its nuclear case closed as it has come clean of IAEA's questions and suspicions about its past nuclear activities.
Political observers believe that the United States has remained at loggerheads with Iran mainly over the independent and home-grown nature of Tehran's nuclear technology, which gives the Islamic Republic the potential to turn into a world power and a role model for the other third-world countries. Washington has laid much pressure on Iran to make it give up the most sensitive and advanced part of the technology, which is uranium enrichment, a process used for producing nuclear fuel for power plants.
Iran insists that it should continue enriching uranium because it needs to provide fuel to a 300-megawatt light-water reactor it is building in the southwestern town of Darkhoveyn as well as its first nuclear power plant in the southern port city of Bushehr.
Iran plans to construct additional nuclear power plants to provide for the electricity needs of its growing population.
Kuwait arrests man over Prophet Mohammad tweets
(Reuters) - Kuwaiti authorities arrested a man late on Tuesday for insulting the Prophet Mohammad via his Twitter account, the Interior Ministry said, in a rare case of alleged blasphemy in the Gulf Arab state using social media.
Blasphemy is illegal in Kuwait under the 1961 press and publications law, but it is not punishable by death as in neighboring Saudi Arabia, where the case of a columnist facing similar accusations has drawn international attention.
The man, whose name was not disclosed, defamed the Islamic faith and slandered the Prophet Mohammad, his companions and his wife, the ministry said in a statement issued on state-run news agency KUNA. He is being interrogated ahead of court proceedings.
The ministry "regretted the abusing of social networks by some individuals to offend basic Islamic and spiritual values, vowing to show zero tolerance in combating such serious offences," it said in the statement.
In September a Kuwaiti court convicted a man for insulting Gulf rulers and posting inflammatory sectarian comments on social media, but he was released immediately because of time already served while awaiting trial, according to a human rights activist.
Twitter is very popular in Kuwait, with many politicians, journalists and other public figures using the micro-blogging site to debate current events and share gossip. Popular figures can have hundreds of thousands of followers.
Kuwaiti media carried comments from the man denying the accusations. "I will never attack the Holy Prophet," he was reported as saying and added that someone must have hacked his account to post the comments.
His remarks, carried by several of Kuwait's main newspapers, were not immediately verifiable.
(Reporting by Sylvia Westall; editing by Sami Aboudi)
Blasphemy is illegal in Kuwait under the 1961 press and publications law, but it is not punishable by death as in neighboring Saudi Arabia, where the case of a columnist facing similar accusations has drawn international attention.
The man, whose name was not disclosed, defamed the Islamic faith and slandered the Prophet Mohammad, his companions and his wife, the ministry said in a statement issued on state-run news agency KUNA. He is being interrogated ahead of court proceedings.
The ministry "regretted the abusing of social networks by some individuals to offend basic Islamic and spiritual values, vowing to show zero tolerance in combating such serious offences," it said in the statement.
In September a Kuwaiti court convicted a man for insulting Gulf rulers and posting inflammatory sectarian comments on social media, but he was released immediately because of time already served while awaiting trial, according to a human rights activist.
Twitter is very popular in Kuwait, with many politicians, journalists and other public figures using the micro-blogging site to debate current events and share gossip. Popular figures can have hundreds of thousands of followers.
Kuwaiti media carried comments from the man denying the accusations. "I will never attack the Holy Prophet," he was reported as saying and added that someone must have hacked his account to post the comments.
His remarks, carried by several of Kuwait's main newspapers, were not immediately verifiable.
(Reporting by Sylvia Westall; editing by Sami Aboudi)
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