Kuwait

Kuwait

Kuwait, officially the State of Kuwait, is an Arab country in Western Asia. Situated in the northern edge of Eastern Arabia at the tip of the Persian Gulf, it shares borders with Iraq and Saudi Arabia. As of 2014, Kuwait has a population of 4.1 million people; 1.2 million are Kuwaitis and 2.8 million are expatriates. Kuwait is a constitutional emirate with an elected parliamentary system. Kuwait has a petroleum-based economy.

During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Kuwait was a prosperous trade hub. Starting in the early 20th century, its regional economic importance declined, and by 1934 Kuwait had lost its prominence in long-distance trade. Kuwait's economy was devastated by several trade blockades. During World War I, the British Empire imposed a blockade against Kuwait because its ruler supported the Ottoman Empire. Following the Kuwait–Najd War of 1919–1920, Saudi Arabia maintained a trade blockade against the country from 1923 until 1937. In 1990, Kuwait was invaded by Iraq. The Iraqi occupation came to an end in 1991 after military intervention by United States-led forces.

Quotes

• The joint work in producing the movie and book is also dedicated to everyone who sacrificed their valuable life to restore the right over this country to its citizens, such that the country continues its course on humanitarian work and benevolence under the leadership of HH the Amir, HH the Crown Prince and HH the Prime Minister
  • Minister of Information and State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah attended the premiere of the movie and launching of a book entitled, “Liberation of Kuwait”, at Arifjan Military Camp in South Kuwait. In a press statement, Sheikh Salman pointed out both the book and the movie are considered a documentary for the coming generation of Kuwaitis for them to be aware of an important period in the history of Kuwait, quoted on Arab Times Online, "‘Liberation of Kuwait’ to teach new generation country’s history", March 11, 2016.

• The embassy informs US citizens that a US citizen was stabbed on Thursday morning, March 10, in Fintas. His injuries are not life-threatening. The man who assaulted him is in police custody. The embassy is not aware of specific, credible threats against US citizens. Nonetheless, US citizens residing in or visiting Kuwait should remain vigilant regarding their personal security. Extremists may attack in groups or alone, in planned actions or attacking targets of opportunity
  • An American has been stabbed and wounded in Kuwait and the assailant arrested, the US embassy said, urging nationals to remain alert to the threat of attack by extremists, quoted on Gulf News, Kuwait, "American stabbed in Kuwait, US warns citizens", March 11, 2016.

• The escalation of terrorism and its impact in the region reaffirms the importance of having a comprehensive strategy to eliminate it. It is crucially important not to link terrorism and extremism with a faith, sect or ethnicity
  • Kuwaiti Deputy Premier and Defence Minister, Shaikh Khalid Jarrah Al Sabah, referring to terrorism in Kuwait, Gulf News (February 3, 2016), "Kuwait calls for comprehensive strategy to fight terrorism"

• These include prison sentences and lines for insulting religion and religious figures and for criticizing HH the Amir or the judicial system, harming Kuwait’s relations with other countries, or revealing classified information, without exceptions for disclosures in the public interest. The government continued to limit free speech, using provisions in the constitution, the national security law, and other legislation to stifle political dissent. Courts convicted at least five people on speech charges,
  • Belkis Wille, Researcher Middle East and North Africa, Kuwait Times (February 2, 2016), "Limited progress for Kuwait’s human rights: Human Rights Watch"

• While 2015 represented an improvement with fewer speech prosecutions and no citizenship revocations – as Kuwait has done in previous years – resorting to the death penalty is a serious step backward for human rights in Kuwait
  • Nadim Houry, deputy Middle East director, Human Rights Watch (February 2, 2016), "Kuwait: Progress on Domestic Workers Rights"

• This opening marks a major milestone for the project, and in Kuwait’s strategic plans to reduce traffic congestion in vital areas. In addition to easing the flow of traffic, the partial opening will result in road users having a greater ease in movement. The total distance of the opening extends 4km and is accessible by ramps in both directions, drivers will be able to bypass the UN roundabout and the hospital road. Work is ongoing on the remaining sections of the project
  • Ahmad Al-Hassan, the assistant undersecretary for road engineering affairs at the Ministry of Public Works, referring to the new road construction project that will increase mobility in Kuwait, ConstructionWeekOnline.com (February 1, 2016), "Jahra Road project in Kuwait partially opened"

• Interviewer: Why was no woman elected in the parliamentary election in Kuwait, or in the other Gulf states?
  Kuwaiti MP Ahmad Baqer: In my opinion, a large part, if not the majority, of society believes – and even considers this to be part of its faith and religion – that women should not hold governing positions. A fatwa on this was issued by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Religious Endowment, and by the Al-Azhar University in 1952, as well as fatwas in many other countries...The Prophet sent male governors, judges, and ambassadors, but he never sent women, only men.
  • Kuwaiti Politicians Debate Why Women Were Not Elected to Parliament. MEMRI (November 11, 2007).

• What's happened recently in Pakistan, India and Kuwait only goes to show that it's futile to imitate Western democracy. They've ended up exactly where they started.
  • Muhammad Reza Pahlavi, as quoted in Alam, Asadollah (1991), The Shah and I, I. B. Tauris, page 506