Kuwait Celebrates Women with Massive FlyBy
Be still my little heart! This morning, I was, by the grace of God, in the right place at the right time. Did not have the right camera, but I did have a camera as Kuwait honored International Women’s Day with a massive fly-by. At one point, twenty jet planes roared over the Gulf in a humungous group. I’ve seen a lot of air shows, but I cannot remember ever having seen twenty jets flyby in one movement.
WOOO HOOO Kuwait! You really know how to honor women!
They even had three cargo planes fly over the Gulf as a unit . . .
Wooo HOOOO! My heart is still fluttering! Adrenelin high! I am guessing the cost of aviation fuel is so much less in Kuwait that the Air Force can go out and have a little fun occasionally. You made my day.
(It MIGHT not have been in honor of International Women’s Day. If anyone knows why this enormous display took place, please sign in now!)
Kuwait to Provide Assistance in Dharfur
From today’s Arab Times:
Kuwait Red Crescent ready to fill aid agencies gap in Darfur
KUWAIT CITY, March 7, (KUNA): Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) said Saturday it was ready to fill the aid agencies gap caused by the withdrawal of a number of humanitarian organizations from Darfur.
KRCS Chairman Barjas Al-Barjas said in a letter he sent to Secretary-General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Bekele Geleta, that KRCS believed the federation should cover the needs caused by the withdrawal of 16 non-governmental organizations from Darfur due to bad security conditions. He called IFRC to urge all humanitarian and charitable bodies, national societies, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to contribute to ending the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Darfur. Al-Barjas said KRCS was ready to provide aid, as it always did to the needy around the world.
Meanwhile, the Arab League Council has decided to send an Arab-Afro delegation to the UN Security Council (UNSC) to defer the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir. The council, meeting urgently at the foreign ministers’ level to discuss ICC arrest warrant, expressed dismay for the ICC decision and said it did not consider justice, stability and peace in Sudan. The council voiced solidarity with Sudan against any plans undermining the sovereignty, unity and independence of Sudan.
The foreign ministers underlined in a statement importance of the independence of the Sudanese judiciary. They refused any attempt to politicize the principles of the international justice which would jeopardize the unity, sovereignty and independence of countries around the world. They regretted the fact that article 16 of the Rome statute of the ICC was not provoked thus delay the arrest warrant for 12 months. They asserted that heads of state enjoy immunity in accordance with the 1961 Vienna agreement.
The arrest warrant does not consider the implementation of the peace agreement in Southern Sudan and preparation for the general elections in the second half of this year, said the ministers. The Arab foreign ministers urged the UN Security Council (UNSC) to live up its responsibility to preserving peace and stability in Sudan. They called on regional and international parties to provide suitable atmosphere for the political settlement between the Sudanese government and rebel groups in Darfur.
May God bless the work of their hands and their hearts.
International Women’s Day in Kuwait
From today’s Arab Times:
Kuwait womenfolk prove their mettle
KUWAIT, March 7, (KUNA): Kuwaiti women will be celebrating the Inter-national Women’s Day on Sunday alongside women of the world, having a series of achievements and success stories to be proud of. Women of Kuwait attained their political rights in May 2005 and voted and ran for candidacy for the first in the parliamentary elections in June 2006. Although none of the female candidates won a parliamentary set, women’s votes had a great impact on the election’s results.
In addition, the Kuwaiti leadership has made way for women’s participation in political life through appointing the first female minister, Dr Maasouma Al-Mubarak, on June 2, 2005 as Minister of Planning and Minister of State for Administrative Develop-ment Affairs. The Kuwaiti constitution stipulates that men and women have equal rights and duties. Article 25 of the constitution states, “All people are equal in human dignity, and in public rights and duties before the law, without distinction as to race, origin, language or religion.”
Rights
Although Kuwaiti women enjoyed many civil and social rights throughout the years, a number of the National Assembly members have adopted a draft law to give them even more rights. The draft law ensures giving men and women the same salaries and equal opportunities in being appointed at administrative and senior posts, and providing more rights to divorced Kuwaiti women and widows, and those married to non-Kuwaitis.
Kuwaiti females have equal education opportunities to their male counterparts in both schools and universities. Kuwait was not only keen on giving women their rights through local laws and legislations, but internationally through the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
Molten Silver Sunrise
OK, OK, I admit it, this is not exactly sunrise, it is a little bit later, but I just couldn’t resist the flat glassy calm of the Gulf this morning going all molten silver. Knocked my socks off.
There is a thin cloud covering this morning, but it looks like another very warm day. Have a great Sunday/ Yom al-Ahad, Kuwait!
General Traffic Department: Don’t Call Till You Reach Your Destination
God Bless ’em. GCC Traffic week will start on March 14 and they have chosen for their theme: Don’t Call Until You Reach Your Destination.
From today’s Arab Times:
GTD completes all preparations for GCC Traffic Week
KUWAIT CITY, March 6: The General Traffic Department (GTD) has completed all the necessary preparations for the GCC Traffic Week, which will be hosted by Kuwait on March 14 under the slogan “Don’t call until you reach your destination”, GTD General Manager General Mohmoud Al-Dousari said in a press release recently. Al-Dousari pointed out “mobile phones are vital communications gadgets, considering the additional services such as the Internet and camera, but there are also disadvantages.”
He said using the mobile phone by hand while driving is one of the major causes of road accidents in the country. Drivers might get distracted while talking over the phone, endangering not only their lives but also that of other road users, he added.
Minister of Interior Sheikh Jaber Al-Khalid Al-Sabah had earlier issued a decision banning the use of mobile phone by hand while driving to protect the lives of motorists, which was implemented since last year, said Al-Dousari. The GCC Traffic Week is aimed at conveying a clear message to the public on the dangers of using mobile phones by hand while driving, as well as encourage the use of other technologies like earphones and Bluetooth.
Al-Dousari revealed the department issued 18,773 citations for using mobile phone while driving. He added Kuwait is one of the most developed countries in the world in terms of traffic regulations, but some drivers are disregarding these rules. Al-Dousari warned the GTD will not tolerate those violating the traffic regulations and advised the public to drive safely and strictly comply with the traffic laws.
I admire General Al-Dousari. God bless him; he gallantly fights a battle for traffic safety in Kuwait. No kidding some drivers are disregarding these rules. Some policemen are disregarding these rules. Some policemen aren’t enforcing these rules. I wonder when the majority of those citations were issued? My bet would be that around 18,000 were issued more than six months ago. Until there is enforcement, this is a losing battle.
Warning from My New Best Friend
It really sounds like she knows me! And she warns me against those nasty Nigerian scammers, so she must be on the up-and-up, right? And oh my, they have a file for me with all that money? Even though I have never worked in Nigeria, never had a contract? And oh yeh, it’s a blind-copy. . . . hmmmm.
Dearest,
My name is Mrs. Susan Walter, I live at 3775 Oleander Dr Highland, Ca 92346,
United States.
I am one of those that executed a contract in Nigeria years ago and they refused
to pay me, I had paid over $70,000USD trying to get my payment all to no avail.
Somebody directed me to travel down to Nigeria with all my contract documents
to meet Barrister Mat Oto who is the member of CONTRACT PAYMENT COMMITTEE and
LEGAL ADVISER to the COMMITTEE, and I contacted him and he explained everythi
ng to me on telephone and advised me to come down to Nigeria which I did.
He said that those contacting us through emails are fake. Then he took me to the
paying bank, which is Central Bank of Nigeria, and I am the happiest woman
on this earth because I have received my contract funds of $8.2Million USD.
On the process of searching for my file,I saw your information on awaiting pay
ment list in the office of Barrister Mat Oto.Though I did not capture all your
information lest your fax number.
Am sorry contacting you late as I planed doing it as soon as I arrive back USA.
I have been so busy because we are trying to set up a factory here with the mo
ney we received.
So if you care,do contact Barrister Mat Oto with the information below and just
explain yourself to him as I know he is honest and humble person.
Alternatively mention my name to him he will attend to you.
Name: Barrister Mat Oto
Email: barr.mato@urln.name
phone number +234-1-432490123
Address: 123,Palm Avenue Palm Grove,
Lagos Nigeria.
You really have to stop your dealing with those contacting you okay because they will dry you up until you have nothing to eat.
The only money I paid was just $8,200 for Federal Inland Revenue Services
(F.I.R.S).
So you have to take note of that. You can reach me on this telefax number:1-20
8-248-3647 or email:
mrssusan.walter@gmail.com
Thanks,
Mrs. Susan Walter
QC Misses AdventureMan
When AdventureMan goes out the door, the Qatteri Cat doesn’t alway realize he is gone for a few minutes. Then I hear him crying, crying as he runs in to our bed, grabs his teddy-bear-baby and takes it to the door. He cries for a few minutes, and then leaves the baby there.
He is always sad when AdventureMan leaves. He sleeps a lot, just waiting for him to come home. He knows when it is about time. I always know when he is nearby because suddenly Qatteri Cat is on full alert, ears straight up, eyes big – and he jumps down and runs to the door, even before the key is in the lock.
Hurry home, AdventureMan!
Sunrise Saturday, 7 Mar 09
The sunrise was so beautiful this morning it was almost painful. My windows are still dirty from the multiple attacks by the dust storms, so I was out on the balcony photographing, and it was chill and crisp, and I remembered to appreciate the feeling of “chill” and “crisp” while it is still hanging around.
It may be comfortable and cool in the mornings, but our temperatures are going up fast. March is the month where Kuwait, where things get colder than Doha in the winter, starts getting hotter than Doha.
It is going to be a glorious day. Not a cloud in the sky, other than that yellowish haze low over the gulf that I think is residue from oil refining.
Sunrise, Sunset
Better late than never:
Sunrise, March 6, 2009
This was a great day to be outside, visiting with friends, walking along the Corniche – just a great day to be outside. The end of the day was rosy:
And here is the beautiful marriage song from Fiddler on the Roof, also called Sunrise, Sunset:
Warden Notice 2009-3
Kuwait City, Kuwait
March 5, 2009
MEMORANDUM
To: All American Wardens
From: Consular Section
Subject: Warden Notice 2009 – 3
Please circulate the following message without additions or omissions
immediately to all American citizens within your area of responsibility.
Begin Text.
While the general security condition in Kuwait remains unchanged a recent
assault on an American is a good reminder of the need for security awareness.
Earlier this week a western woman shopping at the Sultan Center in Salmiya was a
victim of an attempted sexual assault at that location. After finishing her
shopping, the woman placed her purchases in the car and went into a store. While
there, she went to the bathroom. As she opened her stall door to exit, a man
was standing there. He pushed her back into the stall and groped her. The
woman fought her way past him and reported the incident to security. The man
unfortunately got away. The woman believes the same individual may have been
following her while she shopped earlier in Sultan Center.
Americans are reminded, as in the past, that it is very important to keep an eye
on who may be observing your activities while shopping or conducting normal
activities in Kuwait. Surveillance is not something that is just done by
terrorists – almost every criminal who commits a crime conducts some sort of
surveillance on their target either seconds, minutes, or hours before trying to
commit a crime or assault a person.
Western women in Kuwait should be particularly vigilant because their dress and
freedom of movement can attract attention, in part because many local women are
dressed much differently. Especially when shopping or going to other public
places in Kuwait, or anywhere in the world, keep the following in mind:
1.Surveillance – think about who may be watching you. If it feels wrong, it
probably is. Alert the local security personnel or store management of anything
you feel is suspicious – Do not keep this information to yourself.
2.If you think you are being followed, make every effort to stay in a very
public place until you can either make contact with the local security personnel
or have some sort of an escort. Do not proceed to your vehicle or enter a
public restroom, thus giving the person following you an opportunity to get you
alone so they can rob or assault you.
3.Exiting/returning to your vehicle – this is the time when all people are
vulnerable because our mind is focused on getting out of the car, watching
traffic, trying to control children, or placing packages in/out of the car.
Especially when returning to your vehicle, it is not a bad idea to look around
your vehicle exterior to search for people or suspicious items. Once in the
vehicle, lock your doors and make sure your windows are up at all times.
4.Last, think about fighting your attacker, especially if the attacker wants to
take you to another location. Do not let that happen.
Once again, the general security level for Kuwait remains the same.
End Text.
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