Kuwait Resounds with Triple Joy of Freedom


Kuwait Resounds with Triple Joy of Freedom



Compiled by Wilson Saldanha, Shirthady/Kuwait
Daijiworld Media Network - Kuwait

Kuwait, Feb 24: February is a month of celebration and joy for the state of Kuwait as the entire country comes together for the momentous occasions of the 50th anniversary of Independence, 20th anniversary of Liberation Day and 5th anniversary of the ascension of Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait. The festive atmosphere is manifested by colourful lights, flags, banners and portraits that adorn every nook and corner of the country.

On February 25, Kuwait celebrates its National Day to mark the creation of Kuwait as a nation in 1961, when the British gave Kuwait the total freedom it deserved.























































The Liberation Day marks the end of the Iraqi occupation of the country which began from August 1990. The invading Iraqi army was routed by Operation Desert Storm within 42 days on February 26. Thus, from 1991 this day marked the beginning of a new life for the Kuwaitis. The flag of free Kuwait was raised in celebration, and people gathered in groups enjoying their long-lost freedom. However, the day is also tinged with sadness as Kuwait remembers and honours the martyrs who lost their lives fighting Iraqi oppression, and the 605 prisoners of war (PoW), of which the mortal remains of 236 have been found while the fate of the rest is still not known (as in July 2008).

On these days, the national celebrations include public meetings and get-togethers and firework displays as a spirit of patriotism imbues every Kuwaiti. Public buildings are illuminated on the occasion and Kuwaitis, young and old, wear their national dress to participate in the festivities. To mark this occasion, The Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah orders an Amiri grant of KD 1,000 (USD 3,559) for every Kuwaiti citizen including those born on or before February 1, 2011.

Located in the north-east corner of the Arabian Peninsula, Kuwait is one of the smallest countries in the world in terms of land area. The flat, sandy Arabian desert covers most of Kuwait. Kuwait is the only country in the world which has no natural lake or water reservoir. There is little difference in the country's altitude, with the highest point being 306 m above sea-level.

Kuwait has a warm tropical climate. Summer, which lasts from April to September, is extremely hot and dry with temperatures easily crossing 45°C (113 °F) during daytime. Winter, which begins in November and lasts through February, is cool with some precipitation and average temperatures around 13°C (56 °F) with extremes from -2°C to 27°C. Annual rainfall averages less than 127 mm and occurs chiefly between October and April. The spring season in March is warm and pleasant with occasional thunderstorms. The shamal, a northwesterly wind common during June and July, causes dramatic sandstorms.

Islam is the official religion of the State of Kuwait. However, Christians and many other religious minorities enjoy complete religious freedom in Kuwait. There are many churches including four Roman Catholic ones, which is a proof of religious freedom in Kuwait. Two of Kuwait’s churches – Evangelical and Catholic – are built on prime sites near the capital’s coast. Two more churches - a Catholic and an Anglican - are built far from the city centre in Ahmadi, on land that is owned by Kuwait Oil Company. Two of the Roman Catholic parishes are located at Salmiya and Jleeb.

The government recently relocated the Coptic orthodox from the city centre to the suburbs because of construction and compensated it with a grant of land 10 times the size of the previous plot. The Armenian and Greek orthodox denominations also worship in rented villas in the city.
 
Kuwait is among those few states in the Middle East with a written constitution, separation of power, rights of free speech, fair elections based on adult franchise and equal opportunities for men and women and a parliament with a genuinely popular mandate which can question the Prime Minister and his cabinet ministers on matters of national importance. This democratic setup has been given further impetus with the granting of voting rights to women and allowing them to contest elections - a move that resulted in the victory of four women in the 50-seat national assembly elections in 2009.

According to the 2005 census, the population stands at approximately 3 million. The Kuwaiti dinar is the currency of Kuwait. It is sub-divided into 1000 fils. It is the highest valued currency unit in the world, equivalent to US$ 3.5 approximately. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al Sabah is the present ruler of Kuwait whereas Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al Sabah is Crown prince and Shaikh Nasser Mohammad Al Ahmad Al Sabah is the Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait.

As citizens of the world’s largest democracy, it is the duty of all resident Indians of Kuwait to celebrate the joy of the Kuwaitis and rise in unison to wish them and their country prosperity in abundance. Long live Kuwait and Indo-Kuwait relation.

  

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Comment on this article

  • savita , Canada

    Sat, Apr 02 2011

    Please write some real fact of kuwait / how average indins live in abbasiya / assawiya /farwania. get some photos of them too... how our indian maids are being treatd by kuwaiti owners. do not write one sided aritical.so that our brothers may not be tempted to come kuwait. how many indians are happy to stay in kuwait ?

    DisAgree [3] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • nelson, valencia/kuwait

    Tue, Mar 01 2011

    Beautiful photography. Well done job Wilson. Some photographs of the day time, especially of roads, beaches/chalets would have added more joy.

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  • Melanie , Bombay / Kuwait

    Tue, Mar 01 2011

    AMAZING PICTURES..
    GOOD WORK...

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  • Dr Sneh Lata Goel, India/Kuwait

    Mon, Feb 28 2011

    Wonderful pictures Wilson!
    Keep up the great work.
    You have shown the true love for Kuwait and may the Indo-Kuwait relations continue to prosper.
    God Bless!

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Malcolm Britto, Mangalore / Kuwait / Canada

    Sun, Feb 27 2011

    Good Job. God Bless

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  • Carol, Q8

    Sun, Feb 27 2011

    Hi Wilson, nice article and beautiful pic of our Q8..

    DisAgree [1] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Abdulla Abdulla, Kuwaiti

    Sun, Feb 27 2011

    Very nice work Wilson. I am glad Kuwait means enough to you to put this much effort into joining our celebrations. Many thanks and God bless you.

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  • Lulu Coutinho, Brampton/Canada

    Sat, Feb 26 2011

    Wilson, great pictures and write up. Well done. Miss Kuwait very much. God Bless you.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Ronald Fernandes, Shirthady / Dammam KSA

    Fri, Feb 25 2011

    Hi Wilson, It is a nice, informative article & beautiful pictures. I like it very much. Hats off to you.

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  • Jerome & Janet Lopez, Mumbai, Kuwait

    Fri, Feb 25 2011

    Hi Wilson,
    Nice Pics!! Well done. We are happy and fortunate to be a part of Kuwait's celebration. It has given us a comfortable living. God bless Kuwait and its people and steer them towards greater prosperity. Best wishes

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  • Francis Machado, Kuwait

    Fri, Feb 25 2011

    Kuwait Resounds with Triple Joy of Freedom

    Dear Wilson,
    Congrats, Remarkable photography and write-up. Now we no need to go around Kuwait to the lightings. Great job hats off to you.

    Francis Machado, Kuwait

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  • Melwin D souza, Mangalore/Q8

    Fri, Feb 25 2011

    MR Wilson and Priya Saldanha wonderful and job your done. Congratulations both of you and God bless you.vry nice photography well. Gretings to all Kuwaities on this Complete 50th Great(20th) Freedom Celebration

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  • Johnson Martis, Kadri, Mangalore / Mumbai

    Fri, Feb 25 2011

    Good time to be in Kuwait. The country has given us a lot and you'll have given yourself for its development. The dreams and hopes of many have been fulfilled. I wish that you and Kuwait are always happy and prosper for ever!

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  • Bennet Vas, Kudlaa / WA

    Thu, Feb 24 2011

    Good Pictures and a very factual write up.

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  • Max & Jessie Rasquinha, Mangalore/Houston, Texas

    Thu, Feb 24 2011

    Kuwait has every reason to celebrate the past and the present in order to be prepared for a bright future of tomorrow. The Sheikhdom of Kuwait has always been dynamic and creative in every sense of the word because Kuwait has always displayed a spirit of leadership with lot of dedication for the welfare of the people.

    Although we lived in Saudi Arabia, we have always cherished fond memories and sentiments for Kuwait because we had a special pass to travel to Kuwait without any visa via the check post of Zarghani via Ras al Khafji. Our last journey to Kuwait was by road from Bahrain all the way to Kuwait via Saudi Arabia after the liberation from Saddam's attrocities. The Customs and Immigration authorities even gave us a cup of coffee while we were waiting for our friend from Kuwait to come and fetch us at the border check post.

    The Al-Sabha family have always maintained close relations with India because Indians have contributed a great deal for the progress and prosperity of Kuwait. "Assalam-alekhum".

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  • Lancy Pinto Nayak, Kulshekar / Kuwait

    Thu, Feb 24 2011

    Hi Wilson,
    CONGRATULATIONS.
    Oh My God.
    You are too GOOD in excellent photography and writing a beautiful informative artical.I like it very much.
    JOB WELL DONE.
    GOD BLESS YOU.
    YOU MADE US PRODE.

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  • mr, Robin

    Thu, Feb 24 2011

    I will truly celebrate when Kuwait becomes a true democracy and is not controlled by one family.
    Also when Kuwaiti's treat expatriates, especially indians and Philipino's like humans.

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  • Violet Goveas, ottawa,Canada

    Thu, Feb 24 2011

    Beautiful pictures Wilson. Happy National day!!!!

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Wilson Saldanha, Shirthady/Kuwait

    Thu, Feb 24 2011

    Dear ISMAIL K PERINJE, PERINJE/YANBU-KSA, Thank you for the compliments. Kindly check the photo albums. The building you reuested is 'Kuwait towers' which is land mark of Kuwait. You can check 8th picture from bottom in Photo album-1 (View during day and night) and second from bottom in Photo Album-2. The one with two globes has Restaurant at lower globe and viewing tower at upper globe. The tower with single globe is a water tank. The third needle tower illuminates both the towers. please check http://www.kuwaittowers.com/IndexEN.aspx for more details.

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  • Sharline, Moodbidri/Dubai

    Thu, Feb 24 2011

    Hi Wilson,
    Beautiful pictures, Informative article, Great Work. Well Done.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • ISMAIL K PERINJE, PERINJE/YANBU-KSA

    Thu, Feb 24 2011

    MR Wilson Shirthady,Where that two land mark building of Kuwait.That Tallest Buildings are identity of Kuwait.I am preveldged to vist one the building where we can see Kuwait City .It is possible you can add that snap to complete your article for a grade A.

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  • viv belman, nandalike

    Thu, Feb 24 2011

    nice one dear wilson, you convered this article with beautiful photos including our office photos too.....You really extended expats gratitude to Kuwait through this.... God bless you and daijiworld.

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  • Cedric D' Silva, Mangalore/Kuwait

    Thu, Feb 24 2011

    Hi Wilson,
    Well written article with excellent photography. It can beat any photography published so far in Daijiworld !!!! Keep up the good work.

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  • Joe Correia, Goa / Kuwait

    Thu, Feb 24 2011

    Hi Wilson,
    Your passion for photography is really on display here. I remember you shooting away when we were in the Holy Land. Great job and keep it up. I have forwarded this mail to my friends so that they too can enjoy the wonderful lighting and awsome display of some of the scenes in Kuwait. Lovely.

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  • Fr Henry Sequeira, Mangalore

    Thu, Feb 24 2011

    Dear Wilson,

    Congrats for a beautiful write up on Kuwait. It is inspiring. Religious freedom is indeed the Gift of Kuwaiti Emir to the people.

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  • Noel, Shirtady/Kuwait

    Thu, Feb 24 2011

    Dear Ismail, We are happy that Qatar is doing well. Please publish a pictorial report of Qatar like Wilson did in Daiji. The info you have given is not sufficient. All the best.

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  • Sunitha D'Souza, Manglaore/Kuwait

    Thu, Feb 24 2011

    Hi Wilson,
    Beautiful Pictures. Thank you.

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  • VEENA DSOUZA, M'LORE/Kuwait

    Thu, Feb 24 2011

    Dear Wilson great job.. hats off to you...
    we have to thank for this country..our hardened work giving us atleast reward at the end, i mean we are peacefully living with our daily bread without any fear. We have to be proud Indians to this Arab country living & worshipping without any caste creed discriminations compare to India, therefore we too will respect & wishing all the KUWAITIES A GRAND SALUTE FOR THE NATIONAL DAY OF KUWAIT......

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  • Louis D'Souza, Udupi/Kuwait

    Thu, Feb 24 2011

    Despite Muslim country, they love Christians (All expatriates) very much because of their honesty. Govt. has allowed having churches for prayer in all prominent areas. Police never checks if there is cross or Rosary hanging in front of a car. Even in customs they won’t check our luggage. May God bless all Kuwaitis for their generosity and love towards Indians despite any religious beliefs Most of the Kuwaitis are educated and well mannered. God bless Kuwait, The Amir, P.M. MPS and my sponsor’s n their Family. Kuwait is a very beautiful country, now No. in whole world. I am working in Kuwait since last 19 yrs. I have visited all G.C.C. countries but felt, Kuwait is the Best. I love Kuwait.

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  • Sarita D'Souza, Valencia / Kuwait

    Thu, Feb 24 2011

    Wonderful article and beautiful pictures. Thank you Wilson.

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  • Vicky Chopra, Ranganpalke/Kawdoor

    Wed, Feb 23 2011

    Mr.ISMAIL K PERINJE, PERINJE/YANBU-KSA..It's Qatar is in higher position in per capita income..as compared to Kuwait..After exploring Gas and earlier Petrol.. Qatar is gained momentaum.. Unemployment rate in Qatar is only 0.5% as compared to other middle eastern countries..It's having even credit to conduct Lawn Tennis long back itself.. Jai Ho..

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  • Rohan Pais , Bendur / Kuwait

    Wed, Feb 23 2011

    Thanks’ Wilson, for informative article and photographs about our beautiful Kuwait during this historic occasion.

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  • ISMAIL K PERINJE, PERINJE/YANBU-KSA

    Wed, Feb 23 2011

    Mr Wilson Shirthady really good informative article.I was been in Kuwait for about 5 years and it is really beautiful and democratic country compared to other ME states.Yes it is very tiny state that We took 18 Hrs to complete whole coutry's tour.Beautiful people,beautiful coutry and good std of living.I guess Kuwait had one of the highest per capita income in the world & present I have no clues.My heartfelt greetings to all KUWAITIES and EXPATES on the eve of 50th independence day.

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  • Antony Menezes, Bondel/ Kuwait

    Wed, Feb 23 2011

    Hi Wilson,
    Nice photography. and realy its very hard work . Hats off to you my friend.

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