Kuwaiti Babble

and we made our mark in history..

2009-05-17T21:28:00.003+03:00

My otherhalf and I stayed up all night constantly refreshing the electoral results page. Our excitment highetend as four females made it into Kuwait's parlimentary history...

Congratulations Masooma, Rola, Aseel (our favourite) and Salwa, I hope that you are armed well to fight corruption and prepared to prosper the land. Men only did half of the job, women are here to complete it..

Now, I can hold my head up high...

Spring smells wonderful

2009-04-14T03:15:00.002+03:00

This is what I walk past every day at 7.25am and then back at 6pm. I watched this patch persevere with snow, rain and ice. It is nice to find light at the end of the tunnel...

realities..

2009-03-18T04:28:00.005+03:00

Despite being miles away from Kuwait, I have been following the political situation as much as my times allows me.

The government resigned just way too many times. My hunch is, that the parliament will follow in a dissolution..

It is inevitable and only a matter of time. Maybe then will be able to uproot radicals, tribals and corrupts...(not sure about the last one.....)

I am tired of hearing criticisms about people's behaviour, intolerance to people's freewill and judgments on individuals' choices in life..

Let us start moving forward, rather than backward..

The past 181 days

2008-12-25T15:40:00.002+03:00

Boy they passed so fast..

Following the disappointment of the electoral results, I retreated into my disappointments with this land. Soon after, I set sails to a land miles and miles away and had to leave my most precious other half behind.

How did I manage? I am not sure.

All I know that during the last 181 days, I established my grounds onto a new land, I made a little humble home, I made new acquaintances, I made new friends and I had to persevere with new experiences.

Was it difficult? Yes it was, but I would have never done it without the love and support of my other half.

I can't wait to see you in 28 hrs from now.

للأسف

2008-05-18T12:34:00.001+03:00

و أنا طالعة للدوام اليوم شدني شكل الخيام المنصوبة للمقار الانتخابية. كانوا مهجورين و شكلهم كئييب و كأنهم يرثون لحال الكويت..حال الحركة السياسية اللا ديمقراطية..حال النتائج الانتخابية الوضيعة. ما قدرت أطلع من البيت اليوم إلى أن سمعت النتائج الأولية من عملية الفرز و صراحة قبضني قلبي لما ما سمعت عن نجاح المرأة و أصابني مغص في بطني لما سمعت عن نجاح الحركة السلفية و حسيت بوجع في الرأس لما شممت رائحة القبلية. هل يا ترى الوضع سيكون مختلف لو أن الأربعون في المائة الذين امتنعوا عن التصويت صوتوا؟

المجتمع الكويتي صار مكون من 3 شرائح: 40% يريدون الرجوع إلى الوراء و 40% فقدوا الأمل بالسير للأمام و ال20% المتفائلون الذين لا يمكنهم إنقاذ الكويت. و توقعاتي المستقبلية بأن شريحة فقدان الأمل ستكبر و من ثم شريحة الرجوع إلى الوراء ستصبح أقوى و تلتهم الكويت تماما فبوادر الالتهام الأولية واضحة...

في رأسي الكثير من الأسئلة و لكن من أهمها هو: كيف يفوز مرشح مطلوب في قضية شراء أصوات؟ لماذا لم يتحدن نساء الكويت بشكل أقوى؟

أنا أعلم أنه لا يوجد ردود منطقية لجميع تساؤلاتي, فلذلك سأكتمهم في داخلي و أستمر في حزني على مستقبل الكويت الضائع.

للعلم النتائج إلى الآن هي:

Skype is blocked

2008-05-17T20:17:00.002+03:00

Skype got blocked by the Ministry!
What a load of bullocks!!!!!

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Update: Just to clarify matters, the site is blocked if you are on KEMS only. the actual software is not blocked. You will log-in and use it as you normally do. However, their website is blocked. Therefore, if you wish to download or update the software, it won't allow you. In addition to the difficulties in topping-up your account if you normally do it through the Skype account.
My question is: why KEMS but not Qnet? Can someone find out if this is a mistake or will Qnet follow?

Voting

2008-05-17T19:35:00.002+03:00

In earlier posts, I said that I was not going to vote simply because I felt that there were no worthy candidates running this time. As much as I was excited about women gaining their political rights in Kuwait, I was equally disappointed about them completely neglecting the multitude of important issues concerning women in Kuwait. This of course is singling out the candidate Ms. Almagheet, who candidly suggested that Kuwait should only allow 'ugly' demostic-workers so that wives can clamp down on their husband's infidelities.

So, voting is what I did today and it was my first time ever. I thought things were very organised, though I did create a bit of a mess when I unintentionally crashed myself into a queue. I hope I made the right choice...

Good luck everyone, counting will start shortly...

RIP

2008-05-13T20:32:00.003+03:00

Only minutes ago, Alrai and Alwatan Tv channels announced that Sheikh Saad had passed away. May his soul rest in peace
Condolences Alsabah
Condolences Kuwait

Blogger Alfarhan Freed

2008-04-27T13:32:00.003+03:00

Blogger Alfarhan was arrested in December for expressing his views towards the Saudi government. He was released on the 26th of April and is at home with his family.
For more details click here.

Congratulations Fouad!

الكويت هنأت الدنمارك بعيدها

2008-04-17T20:30:00.003+03:00

Quoting from Alwatan Newspaper today:

"بعث حضرة صاحب السمو امير البلاد الشيخ صباح الاحمد الجابر الصباح حفظه الله ورعاه ببرقية تهنئة الى الملكة مارغريت الثانية ملكة مملكة الدنمارك الصديقة عبر فيها عن خالص تهانيه بمناسبة العيد الوطني لبلادها.
كما بعث سمو ولي العهد الشيخ نواف الاحمد الجابر الصباح وسمو رئيس مجلس الوزراء الشيخ ناصر المحمد الاحمد الجابر الصباح حفظهما الله ببرقيتي تهنئة مماثلتين.

"تاريخ النشر: الخميس 17/4/2008

It made me laugh in fits, I wonder what happened to our lovely friends who wanted to throw the Danish ambassador out of the country?

حامض على بوزكم يا اسلاميين

Spanish first woman defence minister

2008-04-15T11:47:00.003+03:00

(Click on the picture for more details)

The new Spanish government appointed their first female defense minister. At the prime age of 37 and seven months pregnancy, I wish this lady the best of luck. (She is the one with white top, fourth from the left)

She made me feel proud seeing her strutting her baby bump to the troops on EuroNews.

Now, what does Waleed Altabtabie feel about this? hmmmm

Move on..

2008-04-14T20:17:00.006+03:00

Fascinating how I am reading increasingly more articles which state that segregation stems from a cultural need, and there are no religious grounds for it. Just fascinating.

Mr. Almuttar, a student in the Faculty of Political Sciences; spends 2/3's of his articles citing research proving that segregation increases students' schooling potential. He raves on saying that since the US and Bush are advocating segregation, then it must be the way forward. Puzzling that those Kuwaitis who exemplify the US when convenient, are the same who justify the actions of terrorism. They are just the same people who said that women should not have their political rights, but once women were granted; they rushed to preach that voting is a religious and Godly duty.

On a much brighter note:
Kuwait Public Transport Company (KPTC), Ministry of interior and the Ministry of Education have started a new initiative in an attempt to tackle the ever worsening traffic congestion problem. They created the mottamen campaign which aims at transporting students from their homes to school and back via specially designated air-conditioned buses. The vehicles operate from September to June. Apparently, they have cut down on the traffic problem in Romaithiya by 70%. Bit by bit, they will expand the project so that eventually they cover all of Kuwait. I hope our proud, golden-spoon-fed and eccentric Kuwaiti bright students along with their parents will show full participation.

I say..way to go Kuwait, I hope you keep it up.

Pregnant Man

2008-04-03T15:56:00.002+03:00

Click on the picture for full article in English

It is just like any Lesbian women who decides to dress and beautify herself in a masculine manner but chooses to get pregnant. I can't believe the part where s/he claims in the article that his wife's family can't even tell that he was a woman, where will he hide that growing belly?!
If he is married to a women, it only means that the wife is gay too. Otherwise, with him not giving up his sexual organs, how can they do it??

and it all gets a bit confusing...I can't help but think that the picture is photo-shopped!

If anyone knows when his/her interview will be with Oprah, please let me know

Observations

2008-04-02T16:57:00.004+03:00

Every newspaper in Kuwait is dedicating a section to cover the "democratic" activity in Kuwait. Some are biased and others are unbiased. However; I never thought that it was allowed for the papers to label candidates for the elections based on their sect. Specifically, AlSeyasah paper lists a table of all the individuals running for elections with a column indicating their Islamic sect!
By doing so, we are emphasizing sectarian divisions rather than political affiliations. It is a known fact that every runner-up indicates to which party they belong to. However, their religious believes have nothing to do with their political party. As much as I support freedom of expression in Kuwait, papers should try to stay as impartial as possible. Meaning no advertising and no bias...only coverage.

the government has to do something about getting this round of elections right for the obvious reasons:
1. Two many constitutional dissolutions.
2. Women will be involved as voters and candidates.
3. Five constituencies for the first time.

Otherwise, we will only get yet another dissolution and yet another resignation....

حسافة عليج يالكويت

2008-03-25T13:56:00.001+03:00

للأسف هذي الانتخابات الثانية إلي راح تمر و ما راح أقدر أشارك فيها. أول مرة كنت حاجزة أسافر و ما قدرت أغير و كنت حزتها أظن أن السفارات راح تفتح الأبواب على مصراعيها للمسافرين الهاربين من لهيب الصيف على شان يصوتون في شتى أنحاء العالم. و لكن لا! الحكومة كانت راضية بالي قعدوا بالديرة و هذا بالرغم من أن قبل عامين كانت أول مرة المرأة تشارك بالانتخابات.

و الحين انحل المجلس و جاءت الفرصة بأن أستخدم حقي السياسي, بس شنو صار؟ اكتشفت أن يوم اعلان الحل أغلقوا أبواب التسجيل. اهو بالضبط متى فتح على شان يغلق؟ شنو هاعفسه!!!!!!!!!!!!

عاد اشدعوا راح أقدر أعرف أعطي صوتي لأحد؟ النواب صاروا حالهم حال بعض, بس يبي يوصل المجلس و يغير القوانين على شان ينفع نفسه و أهله بمعنى آخر أن يزيد الفساد. لا و الحين مع الدوائر الخمس لا بالله الديرة راح تعتفس. يا راح نصير دولة اسلامية أو دولة قبلية, و الديمقراطية راح تضيغ بالطوشة.

فنوعا ما أنا مو متحسفه على إني ما أقدر أصوت هالسنة, لأني صوتي ما راح يغير شيء أو يضيف شيء. الديرة صاير فيها سرطان فساد متقدم جداّ و علاجه ليس بالإسئصال و لكن بالعلاج الكيماوي والإشعاعي....

اي و الله ديرة بطيخ

2008-03-19T13:26:00.001+03:00

Oops! guess what?

The Parliament has been dissolved

So unexpected!

إحنا شكو؟

2008-03-19T11:56:00.003+03:00

إحنا ما صدقنا إن موضوع المنتجات الدنماركية و الإساءة للرسول خلص إلا طلع مرة ثانية. أنا بعرف شيء, يعني عادي عند ربعنا إن نسب في العالم و نعاملهم خرة و نهضم حقوقهم الإنسانية و الدينية بالإضافة الي الادعاء بأنهم كفار بس إذا اهم عبروا عن حسهم الفني لازم نسوي بلبلة سياسية و عالمية و فضائية. للعلم, في هذه الدول عندهم شيء عادي ان يرسمون كاريكاتير عن حكامهم و رؤسائهم و ملالوتهم لأن هذا يعتبر شيء اسمه حرية الرأي و التعبير. أقول, كاهم لسنوات رسموا كاريكاتير عل رسول الله عيسى! اشوف ربعنا ما قالوا شيء!!! مو اهوا نبي من أنبياء الله اسوه بغيره؟؟؟

الحين وصلت المواصيل ان يبون يطردون السفير الدنماركي بعد و الله أنا أشهد لو إن أحد الدول المسيحية قررت طرد السفير المسلم لأن يعتبر المسيحيين كفار و نجسين جان ربعنا الحين عافسين الدنيا. أنا بس أبي أقول رائي و كل واحد عنده رأي, الي ما يرضاها على نفسه لا يرضاها على غيرة.

و لا تطوفكم زبده لورباك و قيمربوك ترا أحسن شيء بالسوق

Olives

2008-03-10T18:16:00.005+03:00

I think that there is a serious olive crisis in Kuwait. I always thought that Kuwaiti super-markets have good reserves of nice olives. This notion remained there, albeit it was getting increasingly difficult to find the same quality olives everywhere. With the current increase in products prices, good olives seem to have disappeared completely.
A couple of days ago, I was completely disgusted when my significant-other pointed out that the olives he purchased, though were fine to eat, were preserved in cooking oil! I got so turned off that I binned them the next day.
So, today I thought I'll do my own experiment. I bought some fleshy olives in brine, which I felt needed a bit longer to marinate. I mixed my own olive oil, lemon juice & rind, chili, garlic, salt and vinegar and dumped the whole thing in a jar...

let's see if this one works....

International Women day

2008-03-09T18:12:00.001+03:00

Way to go Egypt

2008-02-26T18:50:00.005+03:00

A congratulatory note goes to Egypt for the appointment of the first female religious officiator licensed to conduct Muslim wedding ceremonies. During my latest visit to Cairo, I was in a state of shock due to the extreme religious change which had swept Egypt. I thought it would never hit that country, but it did.
However, Despite that disappointment it is always pleasant to see a governmental affinity to modernise Islam in a time when Islamist in certain countries are trying to segregate people at Universities and private educational institutions.

For the full article, please click on the picture

Happy National Day

2008-02-26T18:46:00.002+03:00

No Comment

My teddy is called Mohammad

2007-12-04T20:34:00.000+03:00

In a region where the name Mohammad ranks number one, it is not difficult to understand why children in school would want to call a dear toy by that name. If calling your teddy Mohammad is disrespectful, what about then nicknaming people with that name "Hamoodi", because that is in its own right a mutilation of the sacred name.
I think what the Sudanese government did was way out of order. I feel sorry for Ms. Gibbons who strived to teach those kids in a culturally understanding way but then got a smack across the face for doing so.
I'm glad that she got freed and didn't have to endure a worse ordeal...

I just wonder, will the Iranian government roar if a child calls his toy/pet Ali?

Please Muslims, wake up and start synapsing for God's sake

Feed the hungry

2007-11-13T20:46:00.000+03:00

According to the BBC, this site has been the most successful method in drawing the attention to world hunger.
The concept is simple and addictive. Every time you answer a question correctly, you manage to donate 10 grains of rice. It is very addictive, especially for someone who enjoys vocabulary.
Click on the link and start feeding.

Movie Review: Quinceañera

2007-09-26T20:23:00.001+03:00

I heard about this movie early last year through trailers on TV. I enjoy watching foreign movies as well as low-budget movies, as they have a charm of their own.
Being addicted to downloading most of what I watch on TV, supporting piracy for that matter, I recently persevered with the lowest rate of download for a whole week just to watch this film.

For those of you who do not know what quinceañera is, it is a coming-of-age celebration for girls who reach 15 years. This event is commonly practiced in Latin America and traditions vary from one country to the other.

Back to the movie, It was a refreshing, well portrayed exposure to a tradition that one doesn't hear about often. It starts really cute, with a lavish party for a rich 15-year old Hispanic girl and a bunch of old ladies slamming the tequilas. it quickly then diverts your focus to Magdelena, played by Emily Rios, who did a great job. Her acting was mature and natural. While watching the movie, you couldn't help but really feel it was a low-budget movie, I just couldn't get into it so well for me to forget that fact. I felt that its target audience were teenagers. It lacked the adult feel to it in the story-line (and I don't mean by that porn!), however you do come across homosexual references in the plot. I also was disappointed towards the end, when the movie becomes Americanised. By that I mean, script lines referring to things as 'Miracle' and a certain person as a 'Saint' and an attitude of 'I can conquer the world'. What I also couldn't understand in the movie was, how come Magdelena's bump grew bigger, yet her butt remained the same size!

This movie won 2 awards in the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and was screened in the 2006 Berlin Film Festival.

Will I watch it again? I don't think so. I actually trashed it.

The day & month of atonement

2007-09-22T20:42:00.001+03:00

People around the world fast during Yum Kippur and Ramadan, yet neither parties can or know how to get along...

Images obtained from moos & MSN respectively.