As part of fulfilling its ongoing corporate social responsibilities and on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, NBK Public Relations Team has distributed more than a thousand meals and special convoys to fasters at Shuwaikh Industrial Area in Kuwait, within the framework of the ongoing “Do Good Deeds in Ramadan” philanthropic campaign launched by the Bank.
NBK Public Relations Officer Talal Al Turki said that the NBK is willing to extend the reach of its “Do Good Deeds in Ramadan” Campaign to cover other areas in Kuwait.
It is worth mentioning that NBK’s Al Watani Iftar banquet campaign launched with the commencement of the Holy Month of Ramadan as part of an extensive social program comprising a multitude of philanthropic activities, is garnishing impressive attendance with hundreds of fasters attending NBK tent set up in Kuwait city.
This year, Ramadan has once again dawned upon us during the peak summer season; turning the entire country into a blazing inferno which is further compounded with the fact that days are longer during the long and blazing summer months. It is also evidently clear that most of the countries in the Gulf Arab region employ thousands of expatriates; a vast majority of whom are non-Muslims like Christians, Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs. Allah Almighty has indeed showered his blessings on us here in Kuwait in the sense that he has given Kuwaiti citizens the wisdom not to discriminate among people based on their respective religions, although the authorities exercise a rigid control over some expatriates (who belong to certain religions) practicing their faith in public.
And while it is indeed commendable that Islam has never coerced non-Muslims, to fast during the holy month of Ramadan, there are also absolutely no Hadithsenshrined in the Holy Quran that denounce or discourage non-Muslims from practicing their own beliefs and faiths. With due respect to my fellow Muslims, I just cannot bring myself to comprehend the actual logic behind compelling the owners of eateries and restaurants to down their shutters or even prohibiting non-Muslims from eating and drinking in public during Ramadan. Since we are now living in the twenty-first century wherein we have accomplished huge strides in maintaining a mutual understanding of each others customs, traditions and tolerance for religions as well, it’s high time we changed our centuries-old attitudes and mentalities and learn to adopt a more tolerant approach and attitude towards people who practice other religions
Do the concerned authorities at the Ministry of Interior have the legal right to punish people for eating or drinking in public during fasting hours that are stipulated by them? If the answer to that question is “Yes” I would definitely like to ask the concerned authorities under what legal basis do they justify their argument? Is it a proven fact that Muslims specifically feel ravenous the minute they see other people eating in their presence? If that is the case then why don’t the competent authorities also down the shutters of all those co-operative societies whose shelves are usually overloaded with foodstuffs and canned drinks? A true and devoted Muslim will never succumb to the temptations of eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan no matter how hungry or thirsty he/she is simply because they will be overwhelmed with the recitation of prayers and the performance of related rituals.
To cite a case in point, there are several non-Muslim democratic countries in Asia and across the greater world whose populations also comprise a significant majority. Muslims in those countries not only live alongside their non-Muslim compatriots in peace and harmony but also respect each others religions as well. Just take a walk on the open streets in those countries during the Holy Month of Ramadan and you will see people going about their daily chores just like any other day. Muslims who are fasting sit alongside non-Muslims who are actually witnessed eating right in front of them. Do those Muslims feel tempted to eat too? Do they take any offence over the fact that someone is eating in front of them? And secondly; how is the person who is eating or drinking in public supposed to know that the one sitting next to him is a Muslim?
People in those countries go about their duties undisturbed and unperturbed and no one makes a big fuss or blows issues out of proportion simply because everyone has got to earn a living. I personally feel that the acid test for any fasting Muslim in resisting any of those temptations lies in mustering the physical power and mental capability to be able to withstand even the most daunting temptations. Kuwait is a country that is afflicted with harsh weather conditions especially during the summer months wherein our non-Muslims brothers toil laboriously under the blazing hot sun for hours on end just to make ends meet in towards sustaining their families. Please do not get me wrong; I am definitely not calling to keep restaurants or bakeries wide open throughout the day during Ramadan
All that I am trying to do is; request the concerned authorities to be lenient and display a little bit of compassion and mercy towards all those Asian labourers who work under the scorching sun all day to earn a little money. Instead of locking, them up in jail for flouting the no-eating no-drinking rules during Ramadan, they should try to raise their awareness regarding the country’s rules and regulations during this holy month. In fact, more often than not, most of the offenders simply tend to forget that it is the Holy Month of Ramadan and only realize the fact in the event that someone either reminds them or are accosted by a passing police patrol. Islam has always taught and encouraged Muslims to be tolerant, merciful and benevolent especially during this holy month and it will be prudent if we abide by those teachings of Islam.
KATHMANDU, July 21: As a provisional ban on housemaids entry into Kuwait persists beyond the originally-stated period of three weeks, those preparing to fly to the country to work as domestic help are in a tight spot. Officials claim the ban is necessary for preparing a guideline to protect Nepali women from malicious trafficking agents.
Although there is no official data available, it is believed that a few hundred Nepali women, who are all set to fly to Kuwait after receiving housemaid trainings, are at the receiving end of the ban. Continue reading →
TOKYO (AFP): The first professional sumo wrestler from both the African continent and Arab world has reportedly brushed aside worries about his observing Ramadan during a key tournament.
Egypt’s Abdelrahman Ahmed Shaalan described a daytime fast that is a key part of the month-long Muslim celebration as “no problem” in remarks published Wednesday by Japan’s top-selling Yomiuri Shimbun.
The fasting period will overlap with his final bout at a tournament in the central city of Nagoya.
“No problem. I only think of winning the remaining bouts. I’m confident,” Shaalan was quoted as saying.
As a practicing Muslim, the wrestler better known by his ring name Osunaarashi, which translates as Great Sandstorm, will not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan.
Sumo wrestlers depend on eating vast quantities of food to keep up their stout physiques and for energy during tournaments which are held several times a year across Japan.
The 20-year-old won the novice class in a tournament in May where he won seven bouts with no defeats to dominate the “Jonokuchi” class, the lowest of six divisions in the highly-ritualised sport.
The wrestler, who moved up one rank, has earned four wins with one defeat during the two-week contest in Nagoya, while he did not compete in one bouts as he recovered from an ankle injury, according to the Japan Sumo Association.
“His movement was smooth. His leg looks okay now,” Shaalan’s stablemaster Otake was quoted as saying.
The Egyptian won an open-class bronze medal at the 2008 world junior sumo championships and an over-100 kilogram bronze at the 2010 edition before joining the pro ranks.
Small in number, foreigners are vital members of tradition-bound sumo. Mongolians, led by grand champion Hakuhou, have been a dominant force in the top ranks for years.
(KUNA) The Lawful Moon Sighting Panel of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Justice announced Thursday night that the holy month of Ramadan, 1433 lunar Hijri calendar, will start tomorrow, July 20, 2012. The panel held a meeting under chairmanship of Chief of Appellate Court Justice Rashid Al-Sharrah and deputy chiefs of the Court of Cassation justices Youssef Al-Mottaw’ and Isaac Al-Kandry there this evening where it confirmed that the crescent of the Muslim’s month fasting was seen this evening. On this occasion, the panel congratulated HH the Amir, HH Crown Prince, HH Prime Minister, and the citizens of, and expatriates in, Kuwait, expressing best wishes for all.
In 2012, the holy month of Ramadan is expected to start on Friday, 20 July and to end around 28 days later (precise timings will depend on sighting of the new moon).
Ramadan is an important time for all Muslims. This note provides further background on Ramadan and its implications on people residing in Kuwait.
About Ramadan and Appropriate Behaviour
Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان) is an Islamic religious observance that generally falls during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar: the month in which the Qur’an, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the “Five Pillars of Islam” (the others being: 1. To testify that there is no God but Allah, and that Muhammed is the Messenger of God; 2. To pray; 3 To pay alms; and 4. To perform Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) for those who can afford it physically and financially.
During Ramadan, observant Muslims not only abstain from food, drinking and smoking from dawn to dusk, but in general practise restraint from all activities or behaviours that are not compatible with Islamic values. Muslims are instructed to behave more patiently and tolerantly than usual and more time is spent on religious instruction and reflection. Throughout Ramadan, there is an emphasis on communal values: people will invite guests to ‘breakfast’ (iftar) with them (at the time of the sunset ‘maghreb’ call to prayer and give alms to charity.
The end of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) is one of the most important festivals in Muslim cultures: children will be bought new clothes and people will travel to visit friends and relatives.
As Kuwait is an Islamic country, and Ramadan is important both to Muslims’ religion and culture, it is imperative to behave appropriately.
The following issues should be borne in mind:
- Do not eat, drink or smoke in public view during daytime (including in your car). This is illegal and can get you arrested. Pregnant and nursing women, and young children are exempt from this provision, but discretion should be exercised.
- Avoid meeting Muslims in areas where people will be eating and do not offer them refreshments.
- Be aware that increased numbers of people will gather at mosques on Friday and after sundown. There will also be an increase in pilgrimages to shrines and holy places. Ramadan is a very social and communal time with a focus on celebrating together.
- Eating and drinking establishments will be closed during daylight hours. Please plan accordingly.
Non- fasting people should strictly observe Kuwaiti Law No. 24(1968) which prohibits eating, drinking or smoking in public during Ramadan fasting hours.
The Law stipulates the following:
Section One: A penalty of not more than one month detention and KD 100 fine (or either of these penalties) will be imposed on:
1. Anyone who publicly eats drinks or smokes during Ramadan fasting hours.
2. Anyone who forces, helps or induces such public display, with the possibility of closure of any public store facility used for such purpose for not more than 2 months
Section Two: The Minister of Interior has the authority to close down any public store/facility, as he deems necessary, to enforce the above law. Any store manager/owner who breaks this law shall be punished as stated above.
