Buzberry...
Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege- Unknown
At it Mr. Jam’an al Harbash!

She’s coming to Kuwait! Yes! But not for ‘Hala February’; since she’s not up to it and doesn’t have the qualifications and level of stars like Yara and Rashed Al Fares! Anyway Jessica Simpson is visiting the US Army in Kuwait!
Her official website quotes:
“Hey ya'll. I just wanted to say hi, and let you know that I am hard at work on my country record, and I can't wait to share it will all of you.
I am heading to Kuwait to do a show for the troops, then back in the studio. I love you all and am so blessed by the support and love you show me everyday!! xoxo jess”
Let’s see what Jam’an & Co. will do about it, or is it only for Ruby? Sorry that was Awad Barrad… all I can say is “ekhs 3al zaman”
Grazie Capitano!
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Posted By:
Alvaro
Hala 2008..

1st Concert:
28/2/2008- Mohammad Abdu
2nd Concert:
29/2/2008- Nancy Ajram - Miami Band -Bashar Al Shatty
3rd Concert:
6/3/2008- Abdullah Al Ruwaished- Fadel Shaker- Yara
4th Concert:
7/3/2008- Pascal Mash'alani- Husein Al Jassmi- Ahmad Al Shareef
5th Concert:
13/3/2008- Nabeel Shuail- Asala- Mohammad Hamaqi
6th Concert:
14/3/2008- Nawal- Elissa- Rashed Al Faris
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Hala-Feb
Posted By:
FAH
All Hail Kuwait's Cesar


According to arrouiah newspaper, Minister of Education Mrs. Noriya Al Sabeeh approved on establishing a sports high school in Kuwait. Students of the sports schools will be following the same academic curriculum as normal public school with the addition of concentration on sports such as soccer and hand ball. I hope that this will improve Inhayir's defense.
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Posted By:
FAH
Avenues Fee Parking Trial – Day 1

Last night was a trial to start charging fees for the Avenues parking, which turned out to be a disaster! I was enjoying the atmosphere until the congested parking lot turned into a honking horn festival! I could easily hear horns coming from the parking lot while sitting at a café, reminded me of Hamra street!
The Avenues admin decided to make it a “free parking” day, however, everyone has to take a token when entering the parking lot. On the way out, everything collapsed. It was taking so long, the parking lot was over-crowded, so they had to open up the gates where people swiftly passed by and dropped the token in a jar!
An Avenues spokesman confirmed that the parking lot had 3,000 cars and only 6 exits! And what I personally observed is that the token machines at the entrance were very high/distant to an average car anyway.
I’m not against the 200 fils per/hour fee, but the process was a complete failure! Costumers didn’t even start paying, which will definitely consume more time in the future.
As my source “confirmed”, the plan is to open up more exits to the parking lot!
Posted By:
Alvaro
Info-connect !!

Info-connect, or whatever th exhibition was called has ended finally! Nothing impressive, so don't worry if you missed it. Wasn't a pleasant experience at all, crowded with people walking around for no reason. I thought I would find some speakers which I've been looking for, but ended up convincing my stupid buddy to buy the slim USB from Sony, rather than the regular one.
At least I saw Gulf University's new campus (Mishref) on the way back, I wonder what they are intending to do with the old building? Maybe rent it to Hawalli CO-OP!
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Merci
Posted By:
Alvaro
Hala Febraury

What's wrong with Kuwait? It seems that everything is going the other way around. Its February and I didn't even see a single ad on Hala February 2008. Hala February is eight years old and its suppose to be better by now, but its worse. I hope that the government realize the corruption and do something about it.
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FAH
نداء من أجل الوطن

حضرة صاحب السمو الشيخ صباح الأحمد الجابر الصباح يحفظه الله ويرعاه
أكتب لك يا صاحب السمو ونحن في إشراقة عام جديد، تضوي منه بشائر الأمل وتوجب علينا وقفات التأمل. فالأمل لا يزال في نفوسنا برغم ولوج الرياح التي تدفعنا لليأس. إن تاريخ الكويت كان ومازال تاريخ محن، إلا أن التاريخ قد علمنا أيضا بأن الشعب الذي يريد الحياة لا يزع الموت بل يقف في وجهه كالشجر، شامخا متألقا.
لا نمتلك شيئا سوى الأمل. فإن وطننا هو الجوهر الحقيقي لهويتنا وبقائنا. كم تعثر من لاجىء لا يملك من الحيلة شيئا، ليس لقلة المعرفة أو المال بل لأنه دونما وطن. ومع كل الصعاب والعثرات فإن كويتنا هي التي نستمد منها عزتنا وأملنا، ليس لوجود دلالة على خروجنا من المأزق الذي أوقعنا وطننا فيه، بل لأننا لا نمتلك من أمرنا شيئا سوى أن نتفائل بكويتنا التي أخشى أن يأتي يوما لنشهد بأننا حقا لم نصن عهدها ولا عزها
صاحب السمو الأمير المفدى
التأمل في حال وأحوال وطننا العزيز حال بيننا وبين الأمل، وإن كانت أحاسيس عابرة. فمنا كثر من بات يصحو بلفظ “الأه” التي تلتقط الأنفاس خوفا من الهلاك والنزع الأخير. ذهبت كل معاني الفرحة من وجوهنا وغدى كل منا يتضرع للمولى وهو جريح “يا الله” وكأن الهلاك أت أت لا محالة.
لن أبرح في شرح تلك الأهات وأوجه القصور والعلل. فكم أضعنا من الأعوام أعواما ونحن نقول “تلك هي المشكلة” و “ها هو الحل،” ولكن أين العمل؟
قالها شاعر من قبل، “حب الوطن من الإيمان” وقد أتانا قول الرحمن “لا يغير الله ما بقوم حتى يغيروا ما بأنفسهم.” صدق الله العظيم.
فإن الإيمان حتما موجود. فمن منا لا يحب الوطن؟ من منا لا يعمل من أجل الكويت؟ ولكنني اليوم أنظر من حولي فأرى فريق يصيح “أنا الوطني” والثاني يقول “ليس لهؤلاء من حب الوطن شيء...فإن معناه الحقيقي عندنا” وصرت أخشى من أن يصبح حب هذا الوطن هو موضع الفتن.
يا صاحب السمو
إننا اليوم ننظر إليك نظرة كلها أمل. فكم أفنيت من عمر وجهد ووقت من أجل هذا الوطن. فأصبحت اليوم قائد مرتضى، وننظر إليك نظرة الأمل. فإنه لا محال دون الإستنجاد بك لتقودنا نحو شعاع الأمل لننظر خلفنا ونقول “الحمد لله، الحمد لله، الحمد لله، غاب يوما كنا فيه جميعنا غرباء في أرض الوطن”
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Posted By:
MHG
مسألة البهرة ومسجدهم: وجهة نظر من منظور فقهي

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
قل يا أهل الكتاب تعاولوا إلى كلمة سواء بيننا وبينكم أن لا نعبد إلا الله ولا نشرك به شيئا ولا يتخذ بعضنا بعضا أربابا من دون الله فإن تولوا فقولوا اشهدوا بأنا مسلمون (أل عمران:٦٤)
صدق الله العظيم
يدور الحديث في الكويت في هذه الأيام حول إمكانية تخصيص أرض لتقام عليها مسجدا للبهرة. ونرى مع كل أسف تهاتف مجموعة ليست بهينة لتردع هذا الموضوع وتحاول من خلال كل الأساليب-القانونية الضعوط السياسية والحرب النفسية-أن يتم إيقاف هذه العملية وبترها نهائيا حتى لا تطلع على الساحة مرة أخرى. وإنني في هذا الصدد سأطرح حلا لهذا الموضوع من وجهة نظري أعتقد بأنه قد يساهم بإرضاء كافة الأطراف:
من خلال تدقيق بسيط في النقاش القائم بأن هنالك جدلا حول صحة إسلام البهرة وبأنهم فئة مرتدة قد أخذت الغطاء الإسلامي. وهذا الحديث قطعا ليس بجديد. فله جذوره الإسلامية العميقة وكان أول من أطلق التشكيك في إسلامهم الإمام الغزالي حينما قال عنهم ((المنقول عنهم الإباحية المطلقة ورفع الحجاب وإستباحة المحضورات وإستحلالها وإنكار الشرائع، إلا أنهم بأجمعهم ينكرون ذلك إذا نسب لهم)). وعليه فإن الحل بنسبة لي يتمثل أولا بالإجابة على سؤال مفصلي وهو: هل دولة الكويت تعتبر طائفة البهرة مسلمة أم لا؟
الحل إذا ما صنفت الكويت البهرة بأنهم مسلمون:
إذا أجمع المجتمع أو المؤسسات المسؤولة في الكويت على أن البهرة طائفة مسلمة تنتمي إلى الشيعة (وهو العرف الحالي بأنهم شق من الإسماعليين) فعليه الخلاف إنتهى ويبقى من واجب الكويت توفير الأرض لهم، علما بأن دولة الكويت وفقا للمادة الثانية من الدستور تستلهم من الشريعة الإسلامية مصدرا أساسيا للتشريع. وبما أن القرأن الكريم هو أهم ركن من أركان الشريعة فنص صريح وواضح حين قال المولى تبارك وتعالى ((ومن أظلم ممن منع مساجد الله أن يذكر فيها أسمه وسعى في خرابها أولئك ما كان لهم أن يدخلوها إلا خائفين لهم في الدنيا خزي ولهم في الأخرة عذاب عظيم)). وتصبح القضية شبه منتهية وعليه فمن واجب التجمعات الإسلامية في الدولة أن تنفذ هذا الأمر وتمنح البهرة مسجدهم وإلا فلا جدوى من دعواهم الإسلامية إذا كان إسلامهم على نقيظ مع أوامر الله!
الحل إذا ما صنفت الكويت البهرة بأنهم من دون المسلمين:
وفي هذا الأمر خطورة كبيرة. حيث أن الإسلام هو دين علاقة العبد في الخالق فيه لا توجد فيها وسيط وعليه فإن إتقان الإسلام وأحكامه هو من الأمور الخاصة بالمسلم وليس من حق أي جهة أخرى أن تتدخل في ذلك ما دام هذا الشخص لا يسيء للعبادة. وهذه الحقيقة هي من جواهر الإسلام الذي صنفها الإمام إبن تيمية في كتابه ((الأمر بالمعروف والنهي عن المنكر)). كما أن الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم قد نهى عن التكفير في قوله المتفق عليه ((من قال لأخيه يا كافر، فقد باء بها أحدهما)). كما أن تداعيات التكفير خطيرة جدا لفتحها ويلات النفاق والزندقة وهو أمر لم يعرف به الأسلام ونقيض لمنهاج التوحيد.
ولكن إذا ما إستدعى الأمر ذلك فإن البهرة في حينها في دولة إسلامية والفقه الإسلامي يعرفهم بأهل الذمة ((على عكس أهل الكتاب)) وفي حينها تحق عليهم جزية بسيطة متفق عليها ويعطوا الأمان في العيش والعبادة على أن لا ينقض أحدا العهد وقد بين القرأن الكريم صحة هذا الإتفاق في الأيتين الكريمتين ((والذين ينقضون عهد الله من بعد ميثاقه ويقطعون ما أمر الله به أن يوصل ويفسدون في الأرض أولئك لهم اللعنة وسوء الدار)) الرعد: ٢٥. والأية الكريمة التي تقول ((لا إكراه في الدين قد تبين الرشد من الغي)) البقرة: ٢٥٦.
وبما أن النائب أحمد باقر أشار اليوم في تصريح لجريدة الجريدة بأن العملية ليست عملية عبادة بل حفاظا على أملاك الدولة، نذكر النائب الفاضل ، بأن الإتفاق ما بين علماء البهزة والكويت تقضى بأن تمنح لهم الأرض مقابل إيجار وليس كمنحة! والعهد الذي نهى الله عن نقضه قد أبرم من قبل الأمير الراحل الشيخ جابر الأحمد الجابر الصباح خلال زيارة سلطان البهرة للكويت قبل وفاة الأخير بعدة أشهر بتخصيص تلك الأرض لهم. وما أن وفاه الأجل ((قد)) تعتبر هذه الموافقة وصية التي نهى الله عن عدم تنفيذها...فهل أنتم مستعدون يا سعادة النائب بحمل وزرها؟ لأنني والله شخصيا لست مستعدا!
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Posted By:
MHG
The Un-reachable Fire!

A building in Kuwait City bursted into flames at about 7:00 pm today. It is reported that the building is still under construction, therefore no human casualties are tallied as of yet. The building was located behind ‘The Commercial Bank,’ which lies opposite of the Kuwait Stock Exchange – as I was told. The good part is that the fire department (about 15 officers – as one eyewitnesses reported) stood there watching the building burning in flames and destroying a nearby building because they don’t have adequate equipment to reach the top of the building where the fire was located.
* 9:45 pm: while driving back to home, I witness three huge fire trucks heading to Kuwait City.
** I eye-witnessed the fire from the rooftop of my friend’s house, about 500-600 meters away!!
Merci
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Posted By:
Alvaro
SES (Summer 'Estejwab' Syndrome)

Why don’t they yestajweboon the minister of interior?
Hawalli’s monster (wa7sh 7awalli) has been free for about one year, committing crimes all year long. More importantly, we continue to have severe issues of traffic control. And if they really mean it, why did the recent incident of intelligence forces attacking and brawling with a journalist pass by as if nothing happened?
Why don’t they yestajweboon the minister of education?
The quality of education in Kuwait really sucks. True, I’m not the person with the expertise and qualities to judge a ministry, but unlike the more developed world, in Kuwait you can easily judge a book by its cover. When it comes to “wasta” in scholarship’s for family who study at a non-accredited university I can judge a ministry.
When it comes to the attempt of closing-down a private school when one’s son acts like a jerk, yes I can even judge a government.
Why did they decide to yestajweboon the minister of health?
I have no Idea! It was really funny when I read the resigned minister of health was threatened to be mistajweba not only for the horrific fire at Jahra hospital, but also for sending patients for treatment in foreign countries, which the ministry grants to tourists!
As if the minister was responsible for the fire when she was appointed 4 months ago.
Above all, she is held responsible in a way or so; which takes us to round one: why wasn’t the hospital equipped with the adequate emergency technology? Here again, the minister of interior is held responsible in a way. But if you think of it that blame lies on the head of the minister of education who is in somewayresponsible for not educating people to vote effectively. Grazie!
*With all due respect to the casualties, and late men who died in the fire may God have mercy on their souls and reward them in heaven; but someone had to be a victim of pointing fingers.
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Alvaro
In Memoriam
To forgive is a virtue. To forget ultimately means that those who died, defended and suffered did so in vain.
To all those mothers whose wounds have yet to heal, to those children who yearn for their long gone parents, to those parents who ache to touch their children: WE REMEMBER WITH YOU.
To those who died in honor, on our behalf: WE SALUTE YOU.
Is Hawalli Safer?!

Wa7sh (monster) Hawalli is in the hands of Kuwaiti Police. It took the authorities a couple of months to do so, but thank God the 27-year-old “serial rapist” (Kuwait Times) who is convicted of raping 18 children is off Hawalli streets.
It is good to see that the Ministry of Interior showed progress and accomplishments without the ‘usual’ help of ‘Jehaz el Amn el Qawmi’ (National Security Device of Kuwait) and especially the head of department, who we should be grateful to. Hawalli is always safer with His presence. After all, He is the one who pushed the button to seize the day. Grazie!
P.S – it would’ve been easier if the device was a MAC!
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Alvaro
والله العظيم...ديرة بطيخ

عجزت أن ألقى وصفا يلائم الجو العام السائد في الكويت. لا أدري إذا حل بنا الوقت لكي نؤمن بأن هنالك مؤامرة حقيقية لتدمير هذا البلد ولا أعلم من المستفيد من جراء هذه الأعاصير التي تلوح تجاه الكويت التي زرتها منذ ثلاثة أسابيع وأقسم بالله بأن شعور الغربة والتوحش روادني وأنا في وطني.
لا أعلم كيف أبدأ وماذا أقول ولكن لديكم في واقع الحال بعض “الإنجازات” التي قام بها المسؤولين في الدولة منذ شهر:
تعديل قانون العمل
القانون الذي أقر أساسا في عام ١٩٦٥ والذي يضع الإطار العام للإسلوب العمل وما فيه. فجاء في الحقيقة تعديل أقر بالإجماع بأن يمنعن النساء من العمل من الساعة الثامنة مساء وحتى الساعة السابعة من صباح اليوم الثاني بإستثناء القطاع الصحي. وقد صرح النائب وليد الطبطبائي بأن هذا التعديل يهدف إلى الحفاظ على كرامة المرأة وكأنه يلوح السيد المفتي الأعلى بأن جميع نساء الكويت عاهرات وصاحبات صالات ليلية لذلك ينبغي على الحكومة أن تعيد تحفظ أنوثة المرأة.
والمصيبة بأن القانون أقر بالإجماع-أي حتى الليبراليون وافقوا على القانون. والأدهى والأمر بأنهم من بعد ذلك قدموا إعتذارا على موافقتهم على القانون مبررين ذلك بعدم علمهم على محتويات القانون!!
كفوا يا نوبنا الأعزاء...إحنا رازينكم علشان إتنمامون بالجلسات وإنمشيلكم راتب ٢٠٠٠ دينار وجواز خاص وموبايل وسكرتارية علشان إتقولون--والله ما كنا ندري أسفين....ما تنلامون لأنكم طايحين إبديرة بطيخ!
تقرير الخارجية الأمريكية حول التجارة في البشر
أصدرت وزارة الخارجية الأمريكية تقريرا سنويا حول وضع المتاجرة بالبشر فوضعت الكويت بجانب ثلاثة دول أخرى على اللائحة السوداء لتفشي هذه الظاهرة من خلال تجارة الإقامات وحقوق البدون ومشاكل الكفالة. فتسارع المسؤولين وغير المسؤولين (لأن الصحف في الكويت باتت تنشر تصريح من أي شخص بعلم أو غير علم لملىء الصفحات) وعلى رأسهم الناطق الرسمي غير الرسمي للدولة أمثال الأحمد الصباح بأن المتاجرة في البشر في أمريكا ليس في الكويت أخذة بكلامها سنه حميدة للمسؤلين في الكويت بأن “الزين عندنا والشين حوالينا” ثم أكملها الفاضل محمد صباح السالم بالقول بأن الخارجية الأمريكية تنقصها المعلومات لأن الدولة تعد حاليا مشاريع قوانين لكبح جماح هذه الظاهرة--مصيبة إذا وزير الخارجية لا يعلم بأن تقارير حقوق الإنسان تشخص الواقع مستندة على ما لديها من معلومات ولا تشخص النوايا لأن الخبراء المعديين للتقارير لم يفرض عليهم مادة “قرأة الكف” لكنها كانت مادة إختياري في الجامعة!!!
كفوا يا حكومتنا الساكتة عن هل الإستهتارات والتصريحات الماصخة...ما تنلامون ما تعودتوا أحد إقولكم ردوا على وراكم...وهم طاحين إبديرت بطيخ!!!
إستجواب وزير النفط
بدى لي بعد متابعة دقيقة بأن مجلس الوزراء هو مجلس التقنيات الحديثة لأنه يختصر على نفسه الجهد والوقت وأعتقد بأن هنالك تصريح محفوظ في أرشيف الأمانة العامة لمجلس الوزراء يوزع على الصحف قبل يومين من الإستجواب المقرر لأي وزير ويعدل إسم المصرح وهو “الحكومة إستمعت إلى رد الوزير ومطمأنة على ردوده وسيفاجىء الجميع” وفي النهاية....طلب طرح ثقة يؤدى إلى إستقالة،
هذا الإستجواب كان أفضل فيلم مسرحي شاهدته منذ سنوات. فالمستجوب مسلم البراك يعرض صور تعود تاريخها لعام ١٩٨٧ والوزير يبرر إستخدام أموال الدولة لأغراض غير شريفة بأنه غير مسؤول عن نوايا الناس وتربيتهم!
ولكن ما هو أوجع بأن يقدم النائب البراك مستندات واضحة بأن علي الجراح يقوم إستلم مبالغ من علي الخليفة وقد سهل الجراح مهمة فتح حسابات لشركات وهمية إستخدمة لسرقة الناقلات..ولكن الحكومة عوضا عن تحويل الجراح للتحقيق والنيابة تقوم بتأجيل موضوع إستقالته وتقكر بتدوير تنقل فيها الجراح لوزارة أخرى...وعليه إذا ما ثبت كلام البراك فتقوم الحكومة بتغطيت أعمال حرامي...لكن ما ينلام طايح إبديرة بطيخ
أخر الكلام
بالفعل ديرة بطيخ فلا نائب عاقل ولا وزير مختص ورئيس الورزاء لا يعلم كيف يضبط وضع وزرائه أو إدارة البلد...إذا هذه لا تعد من ركائز دول “البطيخ” ما سماتها إذا؟
Source:
Photo
Posted By:
MHG
Welcome to Civilization

I’ve heard from a friend yesterday, that our beloved Kuwait is under pressure from a Human Rights thingy which is irritated by the human trafficking in Kuwait (mistreating labour in terms of wages and using some of the labour as a commercial tool by selling off immigration visas). I heard that the US Department of State is going to sanction Kuwait, and most importantly set a minimum wage for labour in Kuwait. In addition, Kuwait has been black listed by the US Dept. of State.
At least ‘unstable Beirut’ has a $200 minimum wage, which my friend started laughing when he heard about. Grazie!
Posted By:
Alvaro
It's Official: This is a Joke!

Contrary to what certain commentators had alluded to in my previous post, my intention was not to actually be in favor of, or take a stand against, Sheikh Ali Al-Sabah. I was trying to portray the need for impartiality given the sensitivity of the issue. And while other commentators affirmed that Ali Al-Sabah was previously put to trail, he was in fact never brought before justice, and only yesterday did he present himself before a commission that investigates a case that was brought against him, at least five years ago.
My post today, is about an important point raised by the Al-Watan newspaper. I understand that Sheikh Ali owns the enterprise, but that does not mean that he has to use it to advertise his innocence, given that he has not been proven innocent-or guilty-YET. In today’s edition, Al-Watan insinuated that in his statement, Sheikh Ali pleaded to the investigators that the case brought against him is political, untrue, and biased. More importantly, Sheikh Ali also provided important insight-whether intended or not-to the durability factor.
The law, after a number of years, if a case is not dealt with, refuses to provide insight into it. In the United States for example, once twenty years have elapsed on a case, a court immediately drops it on grounds of durability. In my previous post, “The Detriment of Innocence,” I noted the importance of dealing with this issue, both swiftly and to ban its recurrence.
Al-Watan’s quote of its owner, has presented us with an important factor: Is the KOTC case still durable? If not, then we need to start dealing with that prior to anything else, MPs: You may need to change a law, before you waist your time. Because if not, THEN THIS ISSUE IS OFFICIALLY A JOKE!
**Side-Note:
Most newspapers, noted yesterday that H.H. the Amir was extremely agitated with remarks made by certain MPs. While one cannot know for sure, it is quite obvious that the incident he was referring to was that of Waleed Al-Osaimi*. I personally agree that such vulgur dialogue is beneath the National Assembly, but I think its President, should be reprimanded for his ill-judgment and inability to control the Assembly’s proceedings as opposed to his continued statements of optimism, which almost always are untrue and do not reflect the reality of the country!
*Thank you to all those who brought it to my attention that his name is Waleed and not Mishari as I originally stated.
Source:
Link
Posted By:
MHG
A Bad Book Killed the Virigin Megastore!

I must have judged this book by its cover! This is exactly what I felt after reading the first 13 chapters of the book “ Chicago”. Chicago by Alaa Al Aswaani is supposedly the book that got Virgin Megastore in Kuwait to Shut Down. The day I found out that this book shut down Vigin Megastore, I thought I must read that book and see what is wrong with it! The exact same day I went to Virgin Lebanon (I work in Lebanon) and got it! The sales person said, “ I’m sure you’re from Kuwait!” I responded, “ Why are you asking? And yes I am, how did you find out??” he mentioned, that many of their Kuwaiti customers came and bought this book. He also said that he feels it’s so “Stupid” for the government to do such a thing! This sales person believed its absolutely ridiculous and as quoted “ QIMAT IL TAKHALUF” to close Virgin Kuwait for such a reason. I argued with him a bit, the fact that a non-Kuwaiti insulting my country and calling us uncivilized bothered me. I ignored him later on and thought it would be so preposterous to argue with the person without me even reading the book or understanding what the big deal is with that specific book.
I got home with full of excitement, got the book out and started reading. At the beginning I felt it a bit interesting. I’m not sure though is it because I’m reading something that’s banned from my country or is it really interesting? Chapter after chapter, I started realizing why this book got banned from Kuwait. Basically it’s because the author describes the bodies of some of the Women Characters in a very detailed way, and a lot of sex is mentioned. I didn’t pay much attention to these things and continued reading. Chapter 9 was a turning point to me. After reading the first 9 chapters I realized how boring this book is and there is no point of me continuing the book. I had some second thoughts and said it might get better later on in the coming chapters. The exact opposite happened! I’m in chapter 14 now. And I’ve decided to put this book in the shelf side by side with the other books I’ve read. It’s not worth reading! I don’t recommend it to anyone; the book is rubbish, pointless, unimportant, and boring! Last but not least, the cover of the book is UGLY! I wish they’ve done small effort and did something a little more attractive! Enjoy!
Source:
Posted By:
AJK
The Detriment of Innocence
On the offset, I’d like to explicitly underline that my position is not in favor of a particular side involved in the current topical debate in Kuwait today-the protection of public funds. I would like, through this article however, to provide a refined kaleidoscope through which we can holistically view the issue. The discourse appears to be in favor of shifting the issue from a legal to a public matter. More specifically, the National Assembly is currently undertaking a leading role in providing their perspectives on the issue of public funds. Concentrating on a long outstanding case, and the most pertinent, the purloining of funds allocated to the Kuwait Oil Tanker Company. The Kuwaiti constitution clearly states the right of an accused to due process. In other words, one is entitled to a free, open and transparent trial and remains innocent until proven guilty. In Kuwait the detriment of this ‘innocence’ seems to be turning the state into a charade in the following ways:
1)The accussed, namely Sheikh Ali Al-Sabah, is condemned in the eyes of the public, although he has yet to be tried directly in this matter and as such his innocence, at this point, is useless given that this condemnation appears to be fixated. MPs who appear to hold on this course, while implying that he may be innocent, are actually condemning him, contrary to his legal rights as a citizen. The recent uproar in parliament where the Minister of Oil was subjugated to serious questioning as to his relationship with Ali Al-Sabah is a crystallized example of this.
2)We seem to know two specific names on the KOTC case: Abdulfattah Al-Bader and Sheikh Ali Al-Sabah, and a third person who seems to have vanished from the case altogether, Mr. Qabazard. In most Kuwaiti diwanays, or conversations that address this topic, there seems to be a lack of knowledge on the two outstanding persons involved. Given the magnitude of this issue, I would assume that it would only be right to treat all five on equal footage.
3)Sheikh Ali Al-Sabah’s right to a due process requires for him to be in a tried! Naturally, a factor that seems to be creating the current outrage is the unparalleled immunity that he seems to posses. If he is innocent and to this day, legally he is (see point one), then as citizens of Kuwait, we deserve to know for certain that he was not involved, and equally so, there is a need to enact concrete measures to handle the cases of all of those involved in this case, whether directly or discretely. And therefore his unconfirmed innocence renders his public, yet unofficial condemnation.
Finally, I wish to point that while the KOTC case is an unmatched case in Kuwait, or the region for that matter, it is not the only case of assault on public funds. And while the current debate in the National Assembly and elsewhere appear to be a healthy step, they are not sufficient. The assaults were possible, and remain possible due to the inadequate procedures that are in place to ensure that public funds are protected. As such, my advice to MPs and Kuwaitis is to capitalize on the current momentum to not only ensure that the accused are brought to justice, but even more so to avowedly state, “NEVER AGAIN!”
**UPDATE** 05/15/2007
I was surfing the web and went into the archives of Mohammed Al-Jasem's blog. I just found out that in the past two years he has NEVER written a single article on the KOTC case or any other related to the assaults on public funds--hmm, I wonder why?!
Source:
Picture
Posted By:
MHG
Imsodan wala imsodan...!

I went to starbucks Verdun with my friends for coffee and a very interesting topic came through.
FAH: Bu Fareed how much will you give your wife (mahar)?
Bu Fareed: shako?
FAH: I am just asking.
Bu Fareed: I don’t know maybe 500 KD.
FAH: Bes?
Bu Fareed: Yes why should I give her more?
FAH: I don’t know, but I think that Kuwaiti girls need more money. 500 KD is not enough! It doesn’t even cover the cost of her wedding dress.
Bu Fareed: Okay, so how much should I give her?
Bu Anwar: you should atleast give her 10,000 KD!
Bu Fareed: no way 10,000 ib 3ainik. I’d rather not getting married then.
Bu Anwar: Well this is Kuwait and girls are demanding you must titmasha ma3a il 3asur wil ritim il saree3 wil kilimat il mitwathi3a il 3amalt-ha.
Bu Fareed: No seriously, 10,000 is a lot. You are talking about 30,000 dollars!
Bu Anwar : yah I know. In order to get married in Kuwait you must at least have 60,000 KD because you must buy your wife shabka, dibla, and they cost wayed! Don’t forget shahar il 3asal. You must take her to London, Paris, and all expensive countries. What’s wrong with you yabaah? Hay inta imsodan ma tifham! oo ba3dain laish bakheel?
Bu Fareed: It’s not about bakheel ma bakheel. Its about why all that! Girls in other countries don’t demand a lot! They are cheaper.
Bu Anwar: Saa7, Kuwaiti girls must change their mentality and they must know that we are not machines; we can’t just give them what they want. They must understand that there is a limit!
Bu Fareed: 3aleek noor il zawaj bilq8 sar shibh mista7eel.
At the end of the day, they agreed that getting married is not easy. Now what do you think?
Posted By:
FAH
One of a Million

The picture above was taken when H.H Sheikh Sabah visited The Avenues mall recently. I think that they were talking about Starbucks, where the guide (as you see in the picture above) is pointing at Starbucks saying that this is the 17th one. Frankly, I still didn’t visit the mall, but I got the message from friends that it’s really irritating to see Starbucks shops in every corner of the mall, and yet to come. Grazie!
P.S: I know that the owners of Starbucks own the mall – at least a convenient percentage, but that doesn’t mean monopoly!
Source:
Link
Posted By:
Alvaro
Lack of Marketing knowledge!

The other day I was in the Gulf Road and I saw an advertisement by McDonalds. It was about their new healthy campaign, they are selling the idea that their food is healthy and clean. But when I saw the picture I thought that it wasn't an advertisement it was completely the opposite! The picture of raw meat cut in cubes and arranged messily one on top of the other just like the meat you see at the butcher. Believe me if I wanted to eat McDonalds at that time, I would've changed my mind, because the last thing I wanted to see while eating meat is raw meat!
Posted By:
SFA
Only in Yarmouk
LAU International Day

For the first time ever, The Kuwaiti Club at LAU will be participating in LAU ’s International Day. The Kuwaiti Club will exhibit pictures and information about Kuwait at their arranged booth to enlighten people from other cultures and societies about Kuwait. In addition, there will be a small section at the booth offering the delicious Kuwaiti food.
The International Day will start tomorrow from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm.
Posted By:
FAH
The Road to Edgeware Road

WE WENT TO STARBUCKS VERDUN AFTER THE EXHAUSTING WEEKEND, AND FOUND IT TO BE STARBUCKS MISHREF
Why are Kuwaitis frequent travelers? A couple of years ago, families (or at least our families) used to travel in the summer vacation, spending the holiday all together as a family. From time to time, a short trip on spring or Eid was useful to freshen up a bit and relax, since many people traditionally only travel during summer.
Nowadays, any short vacation (or long weekend) became a window to travel to Beirut, Dubai, Sharm El Sheikh, and etc. Earlier, short vacations were handy for family gatherings and trips to chalets or resorts for a change.
Today, Beirut and Dubai are for weekends, while London, Paris, and Milan are intended for five-day vacations; as if one is going to his beach house to loosen up.
Is it the hectic Kuwaiti routine that’s filling up those airplanes, or is it the excess of Dinars?
Source: Photo
Posted By:
JBB, FAH, & MHB
Jaber Stadium 99% Done!

At last Jaber Int’l Stadium (cost for a reported 56m KD) is almost done! The stadium holds up to 60,000 spectators, and the project is accompanied with a parking lot which has space for 6000 cars – so every 10 people have to squeeze into one car, and don’t forget about the reserved parking spaces for VIPs and Shiekhs – as you all know. The stadium is 99% complete, and the keys will be handed this summer. These are some recent pictures with the lights on at night and the stadium from the inside. Enjoy! Grazie!

Source: Link
Posted By:
AJK & MHB
SPEAK UP! A Poll on Kuwait

The following poll has been designed to assess the feelings of Kuwaiti and Arab citizens towards the achievements of Kuwaiti governance. Please respond to the following poll and send your answers to: mhg@buzberry.com. Last date to submit the poll is March 17, 2007 by 12:00am GMT
Name:
Age:
Citizenship:
Profession:
1-Do you feel that the current situation in Kuwait is increasing positive feelings towards a better future?
a) Yes
b) No
2-Which of the following institutions, according to you, is the most effective?
a) Executive Branch
b) Judicial Branch
c)Legislative Branch
3-Which of the following institutions, according to you, is the most effective in protecting the rights of Kuwaiti people?
a) Executive Branch
b) Judicial Branch
c) Legislative Branch
4-How would you characterize the current Prime Minister of Kuwait?
a) Reformist
b) Corrupt
c)Other (one word)
5-How would you characterize members of the previous government?
a) Reformers
b) Corrupted
c) Other (one word)
6-How would you characterize the current Speaker of the National Assembly?
a) Reformist
b) Corrupt
c) Other (one word)
7-How would you characterize the current members of parliament?
a) Reformers
b) Corrupted
c) Other (one word)
Read More...
Who is Ali Al Eidan?

Kuwaiti Nutrition Specialist, Mr. Ali Al Eidan, made history last month registering his name on The Guinness World Book of Records 2007. On the 26 of February, Mr. Ali Al Eidan (53 years old) broke a new world record by climbing the stairs of “ Burj Al Tahreer,” the fifth tallest tower in the world. “Burj Al Tahreer” stands 372 meters tall, equivalent to approximately 150 floors. What was extraordinary in this feat was how Mr. Eidan was able to climb the whole tower in an astonishing 9 minutes! This accomplishment was marked on the same day Kuwait was celebrating it’s Liberation Day. The Buzberry team would like to congratulate Mr. Al Eidan for his triumph.
Posted By:
AJK
Hala Flop!

I have always wondered if Kuwait’s “Hala February” festival is a success, or a flop as usual. However, this year is different, new administration, new activities, and as ‘they’ say on their website “Hala February 2007 will be bigger and better than ever before”, yet I bet its not. Not trying to be pessimistic about it, but I think that for the past 9 years the festival hasn’t been something worth a trip to Kuwait. I really wonder if ‘Hala Feb.’ nourishes tourism in Kuwait (in terms of profit and not numbers of visitors).
Frankly, I don’t live in Kuwait in order to share with you the experience of ‘Hala Feb’, but I was enlightened by one of my friends that the festival still really sucks, and nothing has changed, rather than the logo itself. Plus, the only pleasant thing which ‘Hala Feb’ usually boasts, is its musical evenings, which according to many people isn’t that good this year, except for one or two concerts.
Most importantly, I found out that this year, ‘Hala Feb’ is held from end of February to March 15th, what’s the significance of the name ‘Hala Feb’ again? I don’t see why tourists (regional) have to miss out the ‘pilgrimage’ to Dubai Shopping Festival – which is scheduled before ‘Hala Feb’ - in order to check out what’s hot in Kuwait, meanwhile, a tourist is promised a whole lot more just a couple of miles away, and most prominently during a vacation (Dec. 20 – Feb2).
In the end, it’s only an opinion, some might see differently. Nevertheless, if the festival is a complete fiasco, why don’t ‘they’ just call it off? Grazie!
- Check out the promising website: www.hala-feb.com
Posted By:
MHB
Happy Liberation and Independence Day

Countless years of suffering; that’s the way our grandparents started off their lives. Through the early days of pearl diving to becoming one of the most prosperous countries in the world, we have managed to rise from a dark cynical era into a bright optimistic future. Citizens of Kuwait, let us follow the path of our forefathers and make this path a road to our future. The Buzberry group would like to wish you a happy Liberation and Independence Day.
Source:
Link
Posted By:
AJK



