February 2006 Archives

Kuwait Frees Prisoners on National Day.

Compassion and fairness is a pillar of any civilized democratic regime; the images of fathers, brothers, sons returning to their families is a heart-warming one. Nevertheless one wonders if there were any pardoned individuals who did not merit this compassion and who might continue to be a threat to themselves, their families or to the society.

Historically, the Kuwaiti judicial system has had a schizophrenic attitude concerning corruption, violent crimes and rapes, and there were past instances where convicted criminals were pardoned, re-entered society and continued their crimes.

The rise of crimes and corruption has substantially increased in Kuwait the last decade, much of it due to the growing drug trade, lax regulations, bureacracy, the courts inablility to effectively enforce sentences, and last but not least the rise of Tribalism. Whenever there is a power vacuum or weak decision-making you can rest assure Tribalism will cover that void.

The last line of the article:

"Such pardons traditionally do not apply to those convicted of murder, rape, or drug trafficking."

Traditionally? Any crack through the system could lead to a loss of innocent lives. There is no space for error in these matters.

Let's hope the new Kuwait reforms we keep hearing about also encompass the Judicial system and protect citizens from crime.

And let us hope that the pardons this time were handed out to white-collar crimes only (corruption, debts) and not violent criminals.

Sculpture Hands on a Solid Past - 'Booms' to take you back

By Amer Al-Hilal

Reprinted from 'Arab Times' (1993)

His hands carefully slide across the dusty wooden object. The white-bearded man then places the object on a wooden rack and carefully chooses his tools. The sound of hammering is audible as the elderly craftsman begins to knock wooden nails into the seafaring vessel. His name is Abdulwahab Issa Al Rashed and he is a miniature boat builder.

Abu Issa, as he likes to be known, is a meticulous craftsman and enjoys constructing a variety of wooden ship and boat models, in a various sizes. Located on the Gulf Road, adjacent to the beach, surrounded by traditional Kuwait mud houses and a small mosque, Abu Issa can be found constantly working on new miniatures in his cramped little edifice, highlighted by its wooden gate - it is like stepping into Kuwait's pre-oil, pearl-diving past. Abu Issa has been working his trade since 1972 and states that his work first "began as a hobby." He works on a variety of miniature and not-so-miniature boats (such as the 4 feet long 'Al Boom,' a traditional Kuwaiti fishing and pearl-diving ship). Abu Issa believes that newer generations of Kuwaitis should not forget their humble and hard-working past, and encourages them to preserve the heritage and craft of ship-building. Some of the miniature ships that Abu Issa builds at the present time include the 'Jalboot,' 'Sanbook,' Albatil,' and 'Alshuia;' all traditional boats which were once used as merchant and fishing vessels.

The demand for his work has considerably increased since the liberation, due to the theft and destruction of much of his work by the Iraqis, and due to increased public interest in the ancient Kuwaiti art forms. Indeed, his clients include Gulf citizens, as well as Westerners who have a keen interest in Kuwait's heritage. Most prefer to order the 'Al Boom' models (a Kuwaiti icon if ever there was one). Abu Issa's easy-going, relaxed, yet disciplined demeanor is tailor made for the kind of model building that he specializes in. His work hours can sometime hit the midnight hour, whether demand for his miniatures exists or not (he takes up to one week to build a full-scale model, but with bouts of energy, he can build one in two days).

Abu Issa is not a materialistic man; most of his pleasure is derived from the craft itself. His prices are reasonable as well (ranging from KD 30 to KD 900 for a massive, meticulously crafted model). His models can beautify offices, living rooms, hallways and make ideal presents for foreigners unfamiliar with Kuwait's ships of yester-year. Fortunately, Abu Issa's love and passion for his trade guarantees that the fate of this particular Kuwaiti art form is in solid hands.

Welcome to Hilaliya, a new Kuwait-based blog that will offer fresh, exclusive and impartial commentary on a multitude of issues both in the Kuwaiti and International arena.

Writing has always been a passion of mine and this domain will not only offer a chance for yours truly to "vent" but also for my English-language readers to feel like they are part of a community that cares about Kuwait and its interests. My aim is not to "rattle the cage" rather it is to highlight issues that I think are of concern to Kuwait and encourage a civil discussion on the issues.

Welcome to the domain. Invite your friends. And have fun.

Amer

Kuwait City, Kuwait
8th February, 2006