IWA Fundraising Event: February 16

The Indian Women's Association does a lot in Kuwait towards helping children with challenges.  They are a great organization and I'm happy to pass this information along for them.  They have volunteer opportunities and often go to the "Handicapped Children's Center" for visits to the kids.

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Indian Women Association is an organized in which on our own little way, we intend to reach out and make a difference to those less fortunate children around us.

Our annual fund raising event is being organized at the Arraya Ballroom Courtyard Marriott Hotel on February 16, 2012. 8.30 pm. onwards.

IWA appeals to your compassion and generosity so we can continue to build bridges of kindness and concern for those in need.

Rashmi Sahani
Phone:   +96597738304

E-mail:  rashmisahani@hotmail.com
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/yogsenseQ8

13 January 2012 Bedoon Civil Rights

This makes me so sad.  It reminds me of footage I saw during 90/91 when the Iraqis invaded Kuwait.  I didn’t take these photos/videos:  They are publicly available online, but since they are in Arabic, Westerners might not understand what is happening.  The videos were taken on Friday outside a mosque in Taima where Bedouns worship.

 http://yfrog.com/mgffrbj. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYJr1yq5Y2c&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAJAgaL59wI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://t.co/2fkLwdLW

http://yfrog.us/j05edxz

Police break up new demo - ‘Force unjustified’

Arab Times

 KUWAIT CITY, Jan 14, (AFP): Kuwaiti riot police on Saturday used tear gas and batons to disperse hundreds of stateless demonstrators for the second day in a row and arrested dozens, witnesses and a rights group said.

A day after riot police beat stateless protesters demanding citizenship in Jahra, northwest of Kuwait City, demonstrations expanded on Saturday to include Sulaibiya, west of the capital.

The independent Kuwait Association of Human Rights (KAHR) said three of its members monitoring the protests were arrested but one was later released.

Riot police chased demonstrators and arrested dozens in the two towns where most of the 105,000 stateless, locally known as Bedouns, live, witnesses said.

Head of the Kuwaiti Bedouns Committee, Ahmed al-Tamimi, told a news conference that riot police sealed off the two towns and used police dogs to chase protesters.

He said protests were still continuing into the night, claiming that police has randomly rounded up more than 100 people. He appealed to the prime minister to intervene.

Committee coordinator Nawaf al-Bader said police imposed a virtual curfew on the two towns. He said that so far, dozens of protesters were wounded and that many of them did not go to hospital for fear of being arrested.

Bader said that around 68 stateless were arrested during Friday’s protest.

A number of Kuwaiti rights activists told the news conference police used excessive and unjustified force against peaceful demonstrators.

The demonstrators gathered on Saturday to protest against the excessive and unnecessary use of force by police against the demonstrators on Friday, Bedoun activists said on social networking website Twitter.

The interior ministry had said that 21 security men were wounded in the clashes, five of whom were hospitalised.

Some local media said their journalists were beaten by police on Saturday.

The leftist Progressive Movement condemned in a statement what it called the “unjustified use of force” against Bedoun protesters, and called for a peaceful solution to their decades-old problem.
The interior ministry issued three statements earlier this week warning Bedouns not to protest or face punishment.

The New York-based Human Rights Watch on Friday urged Kuwait to scrap the decision banning stateless people from demonstrating.

“This is a shameful effort to curb the rights to peaceful expression and assembly of Kuwait’s Bedouns,” Sarah Leah Whitson, Human Rights Watch’s Middle East director, said in a statement.

Kuwait has long alleged that Bedouns, and in some cases their ancestors, destroyed their original passports to claim the right to citizenship in order to gain access to the state-provided services and benefits.

In a bid to force the Bedouns to produce their original nationality papers, Kuwait has refused to issue essential documents to most of them, including birth, marriage and death certificates, according to a June HRW report.

Fifty-two Bedouns are on trial for protesting and another 32 are under investigation.
The government says only 34,000 of Bedouns qualify for citizenship.

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DG Info: Information for Teachers

I get a lot of questions from teachers who are either interested in coming to Kuwait to work, or who have been offered jobs by schools in Kuwait.

I'm not a teacher, I'm not involved in education, and have no kids; so I'm useless on this subject.  I do get comments from readers - some trashing particular schools where they have worked.  Unfortunately, those negative comments are better suited for forums on the subject; not really for my blog.  So, I often don't post them.

I always try to help people as much as I can and respond to all e-mails and questions.  Since I receive so many questions on this topic, I thought I would post my standard response: 

You should check out one of the teachers forums in Kuwait and pose your questions there.  Here are several:

http://www.expatexchange.com/kuwait/liveinkuwait.html

http://community.justlanded.com/en/Kuwait/forum/teaching

http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/living-and-teaching-in-the-middle-east/47566-teaching-in-kuwait.html

http://www.wordtravels.com/forum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7142

http://www.internationalschoolsreview.com/nonmembers/kuwait-survey-results.htm

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=81600

http://www.expat-blog.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=132363

http://www.eslbase.com/advice/kuwait

Ask questions of those who know and form your opinion based on overall concensus.  I wouldn't look at it from any 1-sided opinion, but gather as much info as you can.

Good luck!

Day 8 - I'm back

Ok so I'm back and here is my new mantra:

Is this where I live?

Is this really my life?

Seriously?

It will take me a while to get back into the swing of things.  And, I know that I have a great life and I have a great place to live... but my family isn't here.  And neither are trees and our house and the quiet and...  lots of stuff.

I had a great time in Virgin-Yuh.  I don't really do much per se - I just hang out with the family most of the time and sometimes get together with a few friends.  New Years isn't anything OTT or crazy - just with friends and family (and booz and food).  I ate about half a plate of my sister’s crab dip.  Holy snap that stuff was good!  My nephew took me out for crabs and a movie.  The crabs were brought up from Louisiana and dayum were they good.  We went to see “War Horse” which I wish I hadn’t seen.  Overall, it was a good movie, but there was a scene in it where the horse was severely hurt and it was graphic.  I’m an adult and I walked out during that scene. I would never want a child to see something like that.  Horrible.

So, quite unfortunately and after great research and development,  I've come to the conclusion that I just can't get drunk on much of anything anymore.  And it isn't like I'm not trying.  I have determined that getting me drunk has more to do with my attitude and who I'm drinking with (and what their level of drunkenness is).  Oh, why is it that my dear Irish genes can absorb so much liquor?  Why the hollow legs?  Do yer best lads!  Try to get me drunk!

Oh, so back to my story.....

It was frick-in COLD in Virginia.  I mean, I even put on my 20-year-old (my friends date guys almost that old) cashmere full-length coat one night.  Brrrrrr.  Some days it was warm, but there were a few there that I almost ran to one of the marts (K or Wal) to get long underwear.  I am ALWAYS hot but they got me this time.

[Let me just say that I can't believe how many of my life-long favorite stores have gone out of business in the States.  It's horrible!  Filene's Basement, Newport News (catalog) and Spiegel (also catalog).  What a state of affairs.  The economy is supposed to be getting better, but the jobs section of the Washington Post on a Sunday was only 2 pages long. Not good.]

I miss my family.  It gets worse all the time. I miss having people who know me - I mean really know me - and who have a shared history with me.  I miss just sharing their lives and being part of it all. I miss hanging with my mom and my sister (and my nephew if he had the time).  Yep, I'm melancoly.  That's true.

And now, on to some different emotions….

I had someone say this to me recently and it really really pissed me off, so I thought I would throw it out here….  MEN!  “I’ll make it up to you.” is absurd and never happens.  You can NEVER make it up.  Women will let you slide, but they don’t forget.  It is still there, waiting dormant.  She hasn’t forgotten.  I can’t recall ever hearing “I’ll make it up to you” from a woman.  Have you?  Well, I’ve never had anyone properly make it up to me and if they did, it should have come in the form of some grand gesture.  Time to whip out the charge card and get it right.  I mention this because recently, I have heard this statement and I think it is bullhooey.   Don’t “make it up”!  Do it right the first time because we remember. Say what you mean and mean what you say.   Keep promises and commitments, so you don’t have to say stupid things like that.

I officially broke up with Southern Bedu right before I left.  Alas, it was inevitable.  Had to be done.  He is a great guywith a heart of gold.   There werejust too many issues (strung together like a freight train) and I've done the one-sided relationship deal for too long. [Mens:  Simply stating that you are engaged to someone doesn’t cut it.  There is a certain level of effort and ceremony that goes into it – and I’m not even mentioning the ring (I’m mentioning it, but I’m not mentioning it, right?)]   I felt like I was the only one in the relationship doing any work to keep it together - and why bother if I don't see someone who only lives 15 minutes from me, is single, has no other obligations - yada?  I gave him chances and nothing worked. I think I'm a pretty communicative girl; I have never had a problem expressing how I feel.  In our case, I had (incredibly kind well-intentioned) friends who tried to help too and put it into terms that Southern could understand.  Nothing sank in.  He was supposed to go with me to the States and never seemed to be interested.  That’s okay; what’s meant to be is meant to be.

I think I am destined for a series of short relationships.  Some people are destined to be married for most of their lives.  Apparently, I'm not one of those people and I'm fine with it. I have people who love me - I know that.  I'm surrounded by kindness.

In my old age (29) I've also kinda decided that the best relationships are determined by kisses.  Kisses are the real way to tell if a man loves you (or still loves you).  Forget everything else – single or married:  How does he kiss you?

And so then on the 12th day of Christmas, on the Epiphany, I had an epiphany....

....  something happened to me this weekend -  something that has kept me on Cloud 9 ever since (I’m listening to Bryan Adams and thinking about you and next it’s going to be Adele). I love love love talking to him.  It feels like hours are minutes. I called him every day that I was in the States and got off the phone every time feeling uplifted.  I don't know what is going to happen later. He’s not the type of guy I can talk to about it (talking about other people and emotions is fine, but talking about us and emotions is not cool) and I’m shocked that he talked to me so openly and actually got the words out.  I'm shocked and happy at the same time.  Just happy.  No strings happy.  Making my heart sing happy.  Keep reading my eyes, boy, and I'll keep reading yours and someday we will get there. I have a feeling about us and I’m usually right even if it takes time. 

The Romanian was really sick.  I narcissistically attribute this to me leaving.  She just can’t handle it without me.  I know, I know.  That’s right.  Well, I hope she’s better now.  She had really high blood pressure (stop SMOKING!!!!).  They told her (in Kuwait) not to drink red wine, but white wine is okay.  I always thought it was the opposite.  Hmmm.   Whatever.  I don’t have high blood pressure and I don’t drink white wine (it hurts my tummy).  Wait, does champagne count as white wine?  Snap!  I’ve managed to make this about me again.  Girl, I hope you are better now and you know that I love you.  Thanks for taking care of your niece for me while I was away.

Slaps is off in the land of the PHUCKINGCOLD again.  Please, don’t even try to tell me that you don’t have some dude there named Boris or Ivan or maybe a Sasha over there. (OMG the Russian pilot dude, Sasha, in "2012" is ba-Gorgeous!  Git one of him!) You’ve got a  second home and you’re drinking vodka and eating borsht.  We KNOW. 

So I don’t know what Butterfly or Spanx have been up to. Time to catch up.  Style was in town for a little while.  We all know she is a spy – I just don’t know why she would want to bother dabbling in Kuwait, but she does before she rushes off to some other interesting destination to do her clandestine work.  “Media consultant” my arse (that’s Briddish for your 6).

Special K is back.  He just bought his fiancé a car in the States – leading me to believe in several possible options:  1) He is moving back to the States to be with her; 2) They’re not really getting married; 3) he’s moving back to the States to be with her.  (yeah, I repeated 3 that, but I think it is true.  Don’t LIE to me, dude!  You know you are going.  Please don’t be like me with one foot in the US and one foot in Kuwait as a permanent condition; you only end up with open legs!)

I’m back at work and all the Usual Suspects are here. Job #1 this year is to keep Stella happy.  I’m really useless when she’s upset (symbiotic relationship) so I have to try to keep her in good spirits.  I’ve got to teach her man to brew.  That might help us all.  I’m working on that.  They don’t know it, but they will now. I’m arranging for them both to have a better social life and get them involved in some fascinating circles of friends, yes I am.  I am also secretly planning to get them to travel on the weekends and maybe I can tag along with them.  (That cat is now out of the bag also.  Fine.)  You guys can still have romantic get-aways for 2 with me tagging along, right?  It’s possible.  I just drink anyways and go to sleep.

I think I'm gettng sick. I hope not. It just feels like I've got a respiratory thing happening.

So, happy new year people.  We are on Day 8 and I have found this year simply fasssssssssssscinating already. 

Hawa Pink Taxis: Update me

Back in January of 2010, I posted about a new company that was supposed to start up that year.  I hadn't heard anything more about it until a reader posted a comment this week.  I'm wondering if anyone has heard anything more.  I thought it was a fabulous idea and I'm wishing Ms. Al-Mutairi well.  


THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2010

Bedoor Al-Mutairi, Hawa Taxi (the pink ones)

I am loving all the articles about Bedoor Al-Mutairi and the pink taxis; the one today in the Arab Times in particular. The other articles have been discussing the concept and the launch, but this article touches on Ms. Al-Mutairi's difficulties in getting the project off the ground -which ya know, this being Kuwait and she being female, was bound to happen....  (Full post HERE.)

K-Dude sent me:  "I was just reading that they won a court case against the MOI. Apparently they had banned women from driving taxis, thus essentially shutting this idea down. Nevermind that it was completely unlawful for them to ban women from driving taxis. Maybe this will get up and running now? "

Kuwait is seeming more and more archaic to me lately.

Smuggling Tricks into Kuwait

This is SO messed up.  Nice headline from Arab Times.  People smuggling funny tricks into Kuwait....

Also... why wouldn't you spell out "millions" in a headline?  WHO is editing this stuff?  Dude!


Smuggled Antics Worth Mlns Of Dinars Seized By Customs

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 4: Director-General of General Administration of Customs Ibrahim Al-Ghanim has referred the file of antics said to have been smuggled from an unidentified Arab country into Kuwait to the Assistant Undersecretary for Criminal Security Affairs Major-General Sheikh Ahmad Al-Khalifa, re...

Happy New Year

Irish Prayer (St. Patrick via this Irish American blogger)

May the road rise to meet you, 
May the wind be always at your back, 
May the sun shine warm upon your face, 
May the rains fall soft upon your fields, 
And, until we meet again, 
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.


I wish good things this year for all of you out there who are reading this continual string of ramblings.  I hope you find peace, prosperity, happiness and kindness along your journey.


Have a wonderful happy new year.

Bedoun Civil Rights Movement: Maybe 2012 will be the year?

I love that more children and Kuwaitis are taking part in the cause to end statelessness in Kuwait.  I am cautiously optimistic about the future for Bedoun in Kuwait.

Re-post from the Arab Times
Sorry about the formatting. I'll have to change it later.

Stateless Arabs, Known As Bedoun, Hold A Portrait Of The Amir And A Huge Kuwaiti Flag, During A Protest Demanding Kuwaiti Citizenship And Other Rights In Jahra, Northwest Of Kuwait

Rally Hears Of Amiri Order To End Bedoun Misery‘Our Blood Is Kuwaiti’

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 30: Thousands of bedoun gathered Friday at the Asha’aby Mosque square in Taima under the slogan ‘Our blood is Kuwaiti’ carrying flags and banners holding pictures of HH the Amir and HH the Crown Prince.

The number of demonstrators suddenly increased after Friday prayers following which special police forces threw a cordon around the area perimeter.
According to organizers about 5,000 bedoun demonstrated for what they call their rights. Children in large numbers also attended the demonstration.

Addressing the demonstrators Sheikh Athbi Al-Sabah said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Ahmad Al-Hmoud has received orders from HH the Amir to ‘end the misery’ of the ‘bedoun’.

 He reiterated the bedoun who deserve to be naturalized will be given citizenship and called on the demonstrators to protest peacefully and legally in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior to get their rights.

Meanwhile, human rights activist Dr Ebtihal Al-Khateeb said during the demonstration the issue of bedoun has taken a long time to be resolved because of what she called ‘mutual deficiencies’ of successive governments and the bedoun themselves.

She pointed out humans must enjoy freedom, justice, and equality, in addition to the right of belonging to a country.

Al-Khateeb then called on the demonstrators to continue their journey as they ‘have legitimate demands that are not up for begging’.

Another activist, Fatma Al-Ali, stressed the bedoun issue has clear parameters. Addressing the Kuwaitis she said, ‘the bedoun from the 1940s until the 1980s are the current bedoun’.

No one has entered the country after the invasion because the US had sealed the borders between Kuwait and Iraq. Whoever says that they are Iraqis must file a lawsuit to end this suffering, said Al-Ali.
Dr Fahd Al-Samawy who is contesting the National Assembly elections from the area called on the government to resolve this issue away from parliamentary gain-making which comes at the expense of the feelings of bedoun who have waited long enough to get the their rights.

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud earned praise for his statement on the bedoun issue and sources say it made a very good impression on bedoun protesters, reports Al-Seyassah daily.

The protesters lauded the manner in which the security apparatus handled the demonstration and singled out the traffic police for additional praise for preventing traffic jams.

Chairperson of the media committee of the Kuwaiti society monitoring parliamentary performances Faisal Al-Harbi, who was present at the gathering, said some bedouns are more respectable than some of the lawmakers who are trying to exploit the issue to make political gains. He urged authorities to find an immediate and lasting solution to the problems of the bedouns.

Participants in the gathering bemoaned the absence of former lawmakers who promised to stand by them and said former MP Musallam Al-Barrak who was to represent the Popular Action Bloc was nowhere to be seen.

Top security leaders of the Interior Ministry including Assistant Undersecretary for Traffic Affairs Major General Mustafa Al-Zuhabi, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Security Affairs Major General Mahmoud Al-Dousari and Commander of Operations Major General Abdullah Al-Mihni were present at the gathering site.

The bedouns at the gathering repeated the pledge “With God as our witness, we pledge that our loyalty would be to him, then to the nation and then to HH the Amir; we pledge to always defend our country Kuwait with our life, money and children under the leadership of HH the Amir. We promise never to stop defending our aspirations for nationality.” They raised a 50-meter-long flag and flew kites bearing the image of the country’s flag besides singing the national anthem.

A Kuwaiti woman had also participated in the gathering and demanded that authorities solve the problems of the bedouns. She spoke about her plight when she was captured by Iraqi forces during the invasion.

Hello

For.... (you know who you are)

Christmas in Virginia

We didn't have a white Christmas but it has been lovely anyways.  I got here closer to the holiday than usual and although it was good for me in some ways (I couldn't shop so that saved me some money), I haven't had enough time to spend with my family before Christmas day itself.  The build up to Christmas is always fun and I'm sorry I missed it.

My sister, husband, and my nephew and his girlfriend went to Nemocolin Resort which is kind of a tradition for my family the day after Christmas.  I would rather be here in Virginia, so I gracefully (I hope) declined.  I'm doggy sitting so they know their babies are safe.

I'm so happy to be back here.  I really needed to get a break and even here it has been hard to just let go and relax.  I guess I shouldn't check my e-mails; I'm always telling Stella that and here I am, upsetting myself with stupid stuff that I can't fix and that won't make a difference in a week anyways.  Fekit.  Whatever.  Maybe they are just signs that I should be doing something different/better.  I'm realizing that my quality of life has been suffering lately and I'm probably too lazy or stupid to do anything about it - gotta change that.

Life is too short.

And speaking of which, I took my life into my own hands just today:  went shopping at Tysons Corner the day after Christmas.  Oh.My.God.  Well, I did it the Professional Shopper way:  I arrived early - just as the stores were opening; parked my car back-end first (for a quick get-away later) close to the door.  I wore comfortable shoes.  I stretched before I left the house.  Then I tackled the crowds.  I waited in line in Macy's (The Hottest Store on The Planet - not in terms of "cool", but in terms of "Dayam!  It's frickin hot in here!") behind 3 women who had coupons and exact change.  For some unexplained reason, they paid for each of their items separately and counted out change.  I thought I was going to blow a gasket until the woman behind me started chanting, "Oooooooh saaaaaaa." and handed me a 15% off coupon.  All was good.

I'm usually dying to buy shoes, but I have finally admitted (to myself mostly) that I just can't wear platforms and spikey heels.  Blame it on my ass and perhaps a distinct shift of weight to the nether regions, but they are no longer comfortable.  Gone are the days when The Romanian and I would put on 4" heels to go shopping.  It aint happenin.  I have just about all the shoes I need, seriously.  Although I should look for maybe another pair of closed-toed heels for Kuwait.  I just can't find any good leather shoes there.

I miss Desert Dawg.  Today, I saw a young girl walking a Bishon/Poodle mix puppy ("beeshapoo") and it looked just like Desert Dawg when she was a young thang.  So cute and adoreable.  Desert Dawg is pushing 15 years old this year and she still runs around like a puppy (Mashallah).  I miss those days when she was small enough to fit in my pocket or a handbag.  I think with no children, I am destined to buy toy dogs and be that weird old lady.  Maybe I am already.  Again... whatever.

I saw some incredibly gorgeous young Arab guys in line behind me at J. Crew and couldn't help but staring.  They must have thought I am some kind of a cougar.  Sometimes I think I should have married one of those cute guys who asked me when I was the age they were, but then I probably would have been a stay-home mom and not financially independent enough to feel comfortable buying 9 pairs of shoes on a whim (if that's what I wanted - The Miami Incident).  I guess everything can be viewed as a trade off.  Is it just me or are some of these young guys WAY better looking than they were when we were their age?  Dayum.

So, the sun is setting now and I'm going to take a bath and drink some more champagne.  I hope all y'alls had a very merry Christmas in the company of people who love and adore you.

Peace.

Clothing Design Courses

Phuckwits

Do you ever tire of dealing with phuckwits?  Want something more out of life? 

That's right..... it's vacaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaation time!  Time to unass the A.O.  Mr. Jose Cuervo, here I come!  I love you, baby.  You make my life complete.

Sometimes, ya just got a get on a plane and get the fek outa Dodge.

Stella, I know you are reading this and stop checking your company e-mail.  It isn't worth it.  Stella!!! Look up the word!  Vacation:  Noun.  A period of time devoted to pleasure, rest, or relaxation, especially one with pay granted to an employee.  It says NOTHING about checking your e-mails, worrying about contracting obligations or dealing with PHUCKWITS.  Barry Bear, would you please bring her yet another case of wine and educate her on what she's supposed to be doing?  Oh.My.God! I shoulda gone with her to Germany and assisted in vacation-related activities in order to be a good role model. 

(Heavy sigh.)

We are fighting a never-ending battle.

And now, on to my personal life.... (where it is about the same). 

I'm never going to see eye-to-eye with the very nice, yet very stubborn Southern Bedu.  He is a great guy (for someone else).  I am speechless (and you know how hard that is to accomplish).  I don't want to complain about it because seriously - he is SUCH a nice guy.  But... Oh... my.... God.  I just can't do it anymore.  I'm tired.  I'm frustrated.  I'm at the point where sharp objects have become a danger.  I've tried everything (and so have well-meaning friends who have tried to talk to him about it) and nothing works, so... oh well.... and I don't want to hurt him either.  Better just to leave it like that.  Toba.  Enough. 

The other night, I almost exploded, but I held it together.  The Romanian kept telling me that my blood pressure was up because my chest was turning red and blotchy.  Stealth sent me SMSs from across the counter telling me to remain calm.  I try really really really hard not to be completely evil to people who are visiting my home (unless a line is crossed - which it was).  I offered to leave (yes ME - in my own home) - and I finally did; going to my room and locking the door.  Stealth kindly escorted SB to his car.  Stealth has become a very good friend - and VERY good at reading my eyes.

Many a well-intentioned friend has told me that if I lower my expectations, I can not be disappointed.  (Lowering my personal beliefs is something else - not going there.)  I think that my expectations have been very very very low of late and why should that be?  Why shouldn't I expect to be treated the way I deserve to be treated?  Why shouldn't I expect that someone would treat me with the same level of care that I would bestow to them?  This girl is just going to lay it out there and if I get disappointed, so will dude.

Flowers.  Romance.  Little cards.  Kind words and actions that back them up.  Communication.  I don't think these are expectations that a man can't deal with.

Bedoun Protest for Civil Rights - December 19

If you are not a Kuwaiti card-carrying citizen, it is illegal to protest and there is a 1000KD fine.

Bedoun Civil Rights Movement: December 19, 2011

Police break up bedoon protest

Published Date: December 20, 2011

Kuwait Times
By B Izzak, Staff Writer

KUWAIT: Elite special forces and police yesterday fired tear gas and used water cannons to disperse thousands of stateless people or bedoons who demonstrated in Taima area in Jahra. A number of Kuwaiti activists joined the bedoon protesters amid tight and extraordinary security measures in which hundreds of police and special forces took part. The protesters gathered in a square they call the freedom square for the second time since Friday.

Police warned the crowd to disperse and gave them just 30 minutes to leave as they cordoned off the area and prevented people from entering and even sent journalists and photographers back. As the crowd swelled, special forces started firing the tear gas and used hot water cannons. The protesters were pushed back inside the residential area which is exclusively used by the bedoons, who are estimated at around 106,000.

Security men continued to chase the protesters inside the narrow streets as the bedoons and their supporters gathered in several groups in different places in the residential area, as a police helicopter hovered overhead. No injuries were reported as the Kuwaiti Progressive Movement claimed on its Twitter account that rubber bullets were also used but this could not be confirmed by an independent source. At least 12 people were arrested during the chase, including the reporter of Al-Rai newspaper Anwar Al-Feker, who was also beaten up and later detained during the storming of the National Assembly last month.

The chase continued until late yesterday as several Kuwaiti political and youth groups called for another gathering opposite the Assembly in Kuwait City to express their solidarity with bedoons and to press the government for resolving the decades-old humanitarian problem. Police cordoned off the area and demanded the civil identification cards from people going to the square to make sure only Kuwaitis were allowed to gather in accordance with the law that prevents non-Kuwaitis from demonstrating. A numberof Kuwaiti activists refused to enter the square because police demanded the civil IDs and moved to a location near the main square which is used for rallies.

In a statement late yesterday, the Interior Ministry warned illegal gatherings and demonstrations are banned regardless of their goals because it is a flagrant violation of the law and security procedures. The statement said "despite interior ministry warnings, various groups of illegal residents along with activists in Taima area attacked policemen, injuring the field operations commander and caused other damage".

Security men were compelled to use smoke and percussion grenades and water cannons to disperse them, despite attempts to convince them to present their case through official channels, yet they did not respond to the attempts to calm down. Several demonstrators were arrested," the statement said, adding the Interior Ministry will not allow anyone to compromise the country's security and attack security men while violating the law. It said "gatherings and demonstrations must meet the legal conditions according to law 65/79 which bans motorcades, demonstrations and gatherings on roads or public squares. Kuwaitis who participate in such activities will be jailed for two years or fined KD 1000 or both.

The statement said item 34 of law 31/70 amending some of the rules of the penal law said that anyone who participates in a gathering of at least five persons in a public place, with the goal of committing crimes or disturbing public security, then remains in the place after police orders to leave, will be punished by a one year jail sentence and a fine of KD 100 or both. The statement concluded by saying the Interior Ministry will be strict in dealing with any illegal gatherings or demonstrations in the future.

Bedoons have been protesting since February this year to demand Kuwaiti citizenship and also other basic rights like education and healthcare which they were deprived during a government crackdown in 2000. Bedoons insist they are Kuwaiti citizens but were deprived of nationality because of several reasons beyond their control, while the government insists that many of them do not qualify for Kuwaiti nationality because their ancestors came to Kuwait decades ago and threw their passports because they wantedto become Kuwaitis and enjoy benefits associated with nationality.

Former MPs strongly condemned the police action against the bedoon protesters, insisting that the security crackdown will only complicate the crisis. Jamaan Al-Harbash said what happened yesterday is a serious violation and such security tactics will not resolve the problem, while Askar Al-Enezi said beating the bedoon protesters will only complicate the problem. Waleed Al-Tabtabaei called for granting bedoons all basic humanitarian services immediately and then grant citizenship to those who deserve.

Six Kuwaiti political and social groups called for a vigil later today to support a solution for the bedoons and urged police to eschew violence against peaceful protests. "Believing in the just cause of the bedoons, the signatories call for speeding up the conclusion of a humanitarian and just solution for the cause of the bedoons without any delay or procrastination," the six civil society groups said in a joint statement.

Separately, the public prosecution yesterday questioned five former opposition MPs over the storming of the Assembly on Nov 16 after interrogating four other ex-MPs over the same charge and releasing them on bail.Former MPs Musallam Al-Barrak, Khaled Al-Tahous, Al-Tabtabaei and Al-Harbash were interrogated almost all night on Sunday and were released on KD 3,000 bail each. Yesterday, the public prosecution began questioning former MPs Salem Al-Namlan, Falah Al-Sawwagh, Mohammad Al-Mutair, Faisal Al-Mislem and Mubarak Al-Waalan and they were expected to be freed on a similar bail.

The former MPs were charged of instigating to storm public property, damage of public property, assaulting security men and others which were all categorically denied. Al-Barrak told reporters at the end of the questioning that the prosecution also interrogated him on what he said at a public rally and accused the interior ministry of trying to manipulate the charges.

Doggy Style: Bark in the Park

(I'm sorry - I had to go there....  Come out and mingle with the bitches*!  Celebrate, bitches!)

K'S PATH's 'Bark in the Park' is a dog-centric event with fun competitions for canines, funny races for dogs to compete in with their humans, children's entertainment and a variety of vendors, to be held Saturday 21st January 2012 at the Mishref Fair Grounds. A fun day out for the entire family, especially the canine! For the event program or more info, please visit the K'S PATH website http://www.kspath.org/, email events@kspath.org or call (+965) 67001622.

(*  bitch    /bɪtʃ/ Show Spelled[bich] Show IPA

noun

1. a female dog: The bitch won first place in the sporting dogs category. )

Sign the Petition: Human Rights for the Stateless

I have heard that there will be members from the international press and several international human rights organizations at tonight's sit-in.

Below is from American Girl's blog.

A petition has been generated in hopes of bringing further attention and support to the Bidun case and their desperate need of basic human rights. The petition has a signature goal of 50,000, so please support this very important cause by taking a moment to sign here and by sharing this with others you know.

Bidoon Sit-in Tonight at 8pm

I received another warden notification from the embassy this morning, advertising a sit-in.  I love the "Emergency messages".  I suspect that they are promoting the cause because they let us know before the media.  THANKS youse guys!

"A sit-in to demonstrate solidarity with the Bidoon (stateless people) is scheduled potentially for 8:00pm at Determination Square on Monday, December 19 in downtown Kuwait City.  There are also reports of possible demonstrations in support of Bidoon rights tomorrow afternoon at Taima in the city of Jahra around 3:00 pm.  An increased police and security presence is expected in these areas."

I wonder if they'll bring out those shiny water cannons again.  It reminds me of my current events classes growing up in school and the study of the Civil Rights Movement in the States.  If only theyse guys had dogs that could attack people who are peacefully demonstrating, it would be very much similar.

I admire people who are willing to risk so much for their beliefs.

Bedoun Civil Rights Movement: Arrests and Trials of Kuwait’s Stateless Protesters: Mona Kareem's Blog

Re-post from Mona Kareem's Blog

Kuwaiti riot police use water cannons to disperse stateless protesters (AFP, Yasser al-Zayyat).

"There are at least 120,000 Bidun jinsiyya (without nationality) in Kuwait today suffering from the lack of human rights. They cannot legally obtain birth, death, marriage or divorce certificates. The same applies to driving licenses, identification cards, and passports. They do not have access to public education, health care, housing or employment. And while they face some of the state’s harshest discrimination policies, they have no recourse to the law and its courts. Simply stated, the Bidun, who are equal to about 10% of the Kuwaiti population, do not exist.

...On the 12th of December, the stateless attempted to protest again to state their demands and to show support for those who were going on trials for protesting. Around 31 men were in court for ‘illegal protesting’ and were released as the judge decided to adjourn the case to the 23rd of January. Kuwaiti and stateless activists showed up to the court hearing to show support as the interior ministry refused to give permissions for any sit-ins. Kuwait Human Rights Association issued a statement condemning the trials and stating that the Kuwait constitution grants the rights to peaceful protesting and thus none should be prosecuted. Parliament members did not have a say in this and the only political bloc to have issued a statement in solidarity was the leftist Taqadomi movement. According to their lawyer Mousaed Al-Shammari, the 31 men might get 3 to 5 years jail sentences.

...This Friday, as reported by activists, tweeps, and news agencies, riot police used violence against stateless protesters and more than 20 men were arrested, among them two journalists who were later released (Fahad Al-Mayah and Hamad Al-Sharhan). According to a report by AFP: “Kuwaiti riot police used tear gas and water cannons on Friday to scatter hundreds of stateless protesters demanding citizenship. The police sought to break up a crowd of 400 people gathered after noon prayers in Jahra, raising Kuwaiti flags and banners that read: We demand Kuwaiti citizenship.” Stateless activist Mousaed Al-Shammari was reportedly arrested as he was trying to convince protesters to leave. Some wrote that he is now on hunger strike protesting his detention. According to a report by Reuters, there were also minors beaten and arrested in Friday protest."

- - -


I'm just re-posting and will leave it to readers to draw their own conclusions.  Mona is a Kuwait-born Bidun posting from London.

Fog in Kuwait

Photo Credit:  Mohannad Shaheen, Flicker

We drove back from the desert near Khiran last night (okay, early this morning - around 3 am) and experienced the most beautiful, surreal and mystical fog that I have encountered for years.  It was around the coastal areas (between Khiran and Dubaiya) and so thick in some places that people slowed down to around 40kph and put their flashers on (and I'm not just talking about the Indian guys who normally do that while driving the middle lane).  It was dense in some areas and almost a feathery water-color through the street lamps in other places.  It wasn't a high fog:  It seemed to be lingering right around the street lamps, dipping down onto the road.  It  was as if someone had intentionally placed it there, or maybe painted onto the landscape with enormous brush strokes.

I love fog and consider it an adventure to be part of,  but you don't really get to experience it around here.  We used to have a beach house in Maine close to the Canada border and there was the same kind of mystical fog there that rolled in like waves and enveloped everything into white.

I've experienced fog like that in Kuwait only 2 other times in Kuwait; although I have to say that last nights was the most beautiful and almost magical; intertwining layers; dense in some places and banded lighter areas in others.

In the desert in February, 1997 near Julai'a when the fog rolled in (the infamous "night I lost my earring"), we sat in the desert with no camps in sight (which seems very strange now if you know how many camps "pollute" the Julai'a area now) around a camp fire, with no sound... when the fog rolled in, was very strange and isolating.  The next experience came on the way back from Kabd several years ago.  It was so thick that we lost our bearings of where we were driving and even considered going back to spend the night.  All times I have experienced fog in Kuwait, it has been around 2:00 to 3:00 in the morning.

I think that the fog we get during the day is a lot different. I call it "fusty" - a combination of fog and dust.  For the real fog in Kuwait,  you've got to be out late and be in the right place at the right time.

It is unfortunate that it is almost impossible to capture on film (or maybe I just don't have the right high-tech equipment to do it).  Driving conditions in Kuwait are dangerous at any time, but when you suddenly drive through fog in the wee hours of the morning on the highway, you tend to pay closer attention to the road and what might be in front of you or coming up from behind than trying to locate your camera.

Do me a favor?

This may sound really crazy, but can youse guys do me a huge favor and add my friend on Twitter?  He's kinda got a thing going - a competition - with his friends and he wants people to follow him to increase numbers.

Follow him on Twitter

@mohammedq82006

Thanks you guys.

Let's make this an early Christmas

for Mohammed. 

Polls/Surveys in Kuwait

Can they get any more sexist?  Women complain.  Men are lazy, disorganized, uncleanly, and insensitive.

Gee, no wonder the divorce rate is so high here.

So far (on the Arab Times), "Always watching TV with remote in hand" is the winner.

That, ladies, is a no-brainer/easy-fix:  Smash the shit out of the remote.  The End.



Soldier and Camel

I saw this online.  A mother from Fullerton California (only identified as "Sue M") sent this to the Ellen show of her son, Steve, in Iraq.  I love this photo.  (I watercolored it.)

Serving Tea on Doowas is now Illegal in Mubarakia

(This photo was taken at Muhallab restaurant over a year ago.  

Doowa is the coal warmer.)

These little tea warmers (coal plates) are traditional in Kuwait.  They have been used for years in Mubarakia for warming tea. It was especially comforting in the winter months to go down to the souq and have tea at the end of a meal and have it served on little doowa at the table.

Now, the phucking baladiya (municipality) has made them illegal as they are coal burning and someone might get hurt.  They never have before.  Why now?

Is every little scrap of Kuwaiti tradition being destroyed by idiots?

I HATE what is happening to this country.

Bedoun Civil Rights: Stateless: How Misconceptions Feed Injustice

Re-Post from Mona Kareem's Blog:

How Misconceptions Feed Injustice

Statelessness is perhaps one of the most neglected issues in the world. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that statelessness affects more than 12 million people across the world. But because governments do not recognise these citizens-of-nowhere, there are no reliable records of the number of stateless individuals across the globe, and the number may be significantly more. Millions of people are living with no records, documents, education, health, or employment. The UN states: “Possession of nationality is essential for full participation in society and a prerequisite for the enjoyment of the full range of human rights.” 

Testosterone Advertising

I saw this ad on Facebook today and so I'm giving in more ad space here on my blog.

This is great!  I just know there are many many man-boys out there dying to go see one of these to determine if they can finance it in time for the desert season.  Why?  So you can outdo the guys in the chalet/tent next to yours, of course!

This is right up there with the Bubba Boat Test.  The person who posted/wrote the ad must really have their finger on the pulse of the country; knows just what the psyche here is like.  I frick-in LOVE it. 

(What I don't love is how much damage this could do to the desert environment, but it is still funny.)

L O Y A L T Y



Polish Music Night - 14 December

H.E Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, Janusz Szwedo would like to invite You to the Polish Music Night.  The event will be held in al-Maidan Cultural Center on Wednesday the 14th of December at 7pm.

ENTRANCE FREE!!!  It is best to arrive 15 minutes before the concert begins.

This is event's page on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/events/240478369352764/

Artist's YouTube Channel:  http://www.youtube.com/user/organinkuwait

Boudoir Salon - GO THERE!!!

You can’t throw a rock in Kuwait without hitting a salon or nail bar.  Like the booming “mini-treat” industry in Kuwait, salon numbers have spiraled in the past few years (although salons have always been around in Kuwait, proper nail salons are a recent development).

I’m a picky person.  I don’t mind paying money for a service, but I’ve got to have good service in quality surroundings.  My bad back usually hurts when I have to spend several hours in an improper chair for a manicure-pedicure and I’ve run the full gamut of the salon scene; from cheap to high quality.  Unfortunately, until a few nights ago, I have been unimpressed.

 I was really searching for a salon with massage chairs.  I received an invitation out-of-the-blue from a salon owner, Reem Al-Qallaf (and partners Reem Al-Ibrahim and Shouq Al-Marzouq) of Boudoir Salon in Surra, who asked me if I would like to try their services (in a proper pedicure massage chair).   She was so friendly that it was immediate good customer service.

The salon is somewhat off the beaten track in Surra.  Reem provided very good directions.  She told me that she didn’t want a salon that was housed in an apartment building, or anywhere without plenty of parking.  Her location is great; I only had to walk approximately 50 meters from my car. 

Boudoir is a fitting name for the salon.  They have decorated it in lovely lilac, silver, and whites.  Their staff members wear white (not off white or formerly-white) uniforms  (and all were happy and smiling – which was refreshing).    The salon exudes elegance from the crystal chandeliers to the (insert harps playing here) four white leather massage pedicure chairs.  I was served coffee from a delicate silver teacup.  Their customers are of the genre that smile (not the kind who stare).

I couldn’t help but notice Reem’s American accent; and then she introduced me to her mother who is originally from Memphis.  So, it seems they have the perfect blend of Southern hospitality/charm, ambiance and outstanding customer service.  The only thing missing was the mint julep.

I had a Boudoir pedicure which consisted of a mint wrap (your legs are wrapped in plastic wrap), paraffin wax, fruit scrub (followed by more scrubbing), and callous remover gel (which I haven’t been able to find anywhere else in Kuwait).  It was heaven. 

Boudoir is a full-service ladies salon.  They offer hair styling, keratin treatments, coloring, make-up (“elegant, not over-stated”), threading, hair removal, Moroccan scrub, spray tan, and massage.  They offer Shellac and Gelish manicures and products which are the latest from the US and UK like Salon M, Essie, Opi and other brands.  (Of note:  I am picky when it comes to having my blonde hair “brought back to natural”.  I would prefer another blonde to do my color and noticed that Boudoir has a blonde stylist from the UK.)

The salon is squeaky-clean.  I am someone who pays attention and I look in corners.  It was pristine.  The owners care a lot about hygiene and the mani/pedi instruments are sterilized and kept in sealed bags.  Even the paraffin pedicure treatment is done in individual bags so that patrons don’t have to share with other clients.

Boudoir can be found on the net at www.boudoirsalon.net or phone 25335951/2.  Surra block 5, Street 1. 

I'm F-ing Pissed off at the World

You know it is time for a vacation when you are just pissed off at the world and there is nothing you can do (not ice cream, pink roses, booze, etc.) that will pull you out of your foulphuckingmood. 

(Although I did go to Mubarakia - my Happy Place - and that worked for a little while until I F-ing saw that Souq Al-Hareem has been F-ing destroyed.  F that.)

I can't count the number of times in a day now that I am using the "F" word; and that includes mumbling it to myself (and not just in traffic).  I've got Stella doing it too - kind of like when you watch Scarface and you come out sounding just like Al Pachino. I'm her Al this week.

I need to get the F out of here before I F-ing loose my F-ing mind.

Alas, this all started when I was "requested" to use the F-ing fingerprint machine at work.  Now, you know (from previous bitching posts that went on for days) how I feel about the F-ing fingerprint F-ing machine and all the F-ing stupid "management" methodology behind it.... I don't think I F-ing need to elaborate.  Do I?  To say that I believe it is crap is an understatement.  Call it an "attitude" if you will.  "Ass in a chair" management is not my idea of productivity.  If anything, I have been The Anti-productive because of my foul F-ing mood ever since.  (But hey, my ass is in the chair where you want it to be, right?  That must mean that I am TERRIBLY F-ING PRODUCTIVE, riiiiiiiiiight?)

I don't F-ing want to go out.
I don't F-ing want to see my friends.
I don't F-ing want to go shopping.
I don't F-ing care what I eat for F-ing dinner.
I don't F-ing want to clean up after myself.
No amount of F-ing hooch can change my foul mood.
I DO want to F-ing go back to the States - and yesterday.

17 more F-ing days....

Alexander The Braveheart

My nephew is destined for greatness.  He's always been unique and I love him for it.  He's a senior in high school and has been giving the William Wallace speech from Braveheart at the beginning of every game to his team members in the locker room.  He's been watching Braveheart since he was a little kid and I can remember watching the movie with him; he standing on the sofa, bellowing out every line Mel Gibson had.

I can't believe he's going to graduate this coming year.  He was 2 when I left to move to Kuwait and I've missed his whole life.

Where is Souq Al-Hareem? It is MISSING

We are F-ing turning into Dubai:  A contrived quaint village of what life in Kuwait USED to be.  They are modernizing Mubarakia to make it "better".  I am really upset.

I love the old souq in Kuwait - primarily because it was the one place that had been untouched by "modernization" that has reached all corners of this country. (Out with the old, in with the new.)  Parts of the old souq have recently been renovated to look like a vision of it's former glory (but that never was).  What is wrong with the way it has been the whole time;  funky and eclectic and full of life?

Then Photo

Photo Credit:  Blog Libero

I like that people of all levels of society come to Mubarakia to share food in an outdoor area; and to shop for small items that are relics of a previous existence. It is the one place in Kuwait where everyone still has a common ground.

I went in search of a Kuwaiti child's costume at Souq Al-Hareem last night.  The ENTIRE souq is gone.  No one seemed disturbed by this.  I stood in the road where the stalls of women selling brightly colored clothing used to be and just felt sick to my stomach.

Now:  December 1, 2011

So, I hear it is going to come back, "better than it was before" - but again, by WHOSE definition of "better"? Was this some kind of a contract given to one of the top hoodlum companies as everything else in Kuwait is done?

Kuwaiti Half-Breeds

I was at International Clinic this morning, waiting around to be seen by a dermatologist because (sigh) I have onycholysis again.  Sounds like a rash, but it'snot.  I have an allergy to formaldehyde and unfortunately, I ventured into unchartered nail polish waters and tried a new color that I didn't think had formaldehyde in it (Essie,... you BITCH!).  Et voila, my nailbeds are screaming in pain and dying.  Well, 2 of them anyways.   This hasn't happened to me in like 20 years (yes yes, I'm 29, shut up).  The doctor looked at me sideways when I pulled out the 20 year old tube of cream that they gave me the last time (he must think I'm a hoarder.  Perhaps he's right.)

Anyways, long-story-longer, I was waiting for the doctor (who I have now discovered also does Botox - woo hoo) and I picked up a magazine (yes, I had hand sanitizer) and flipped through. I read a very interesting story about "Kuwaiti Half-Breeds" in Sarab Magazine.  .... then they called me in to see the doctor.

So, I got back to my office and Googled the magazine. The story is in the November issue and I was surprised to learn that it was written by the same woman who wrote about me and dis-here-blog a while back. Her name is Farah Al-Hashim.  I like her.  She's edgy and picks out interesting (not me, but okay) subjects.  You can read her article HERE. 

Kuwaiti Half-Breeds are multi-cultural people and have a group page on Facebook.  

We do live in a global village, don't we?  It is fascinating the way that like-minded people come together - and through technology.