Remembering their childhood, ReadmyBlog writes about when he first heard of MJ's death:

I woke up this morning and the blogosphere was talking about the death of Micheal Jackson. My earliest memory of MJ was seeing my cousin trying to moonwalk

TheJacob is in wonder at the reactions from people around him:

7anna7inno speaks of her feelings:

Shurouq over at Jabriya Za7ma:

sou is amazed and shocked that so many care:

Now I’m sure Michael Jackson fans might grill me, but I don’t care. Don’t tell me Michael inspired so many of the artists I listen to; had he not been around, neither would have your favorite artists.” These are my favorite artists, and not one of them sounds like Michael Jackson:

We kick off this week's round up of Kuwaiti blogs with charts and numbers, who writes a three part series on the collapse of the Kuwait Stock Exchange:

The recent collapse in the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) index this past week has not been given its proper placement in the headlines. I have found it difficult to find resources covering the details of the collapse or reasons justifying the decline. Some might hail the events as a market correction but I believe the reasons are far more complex and intertwined with recent economical events in the country.

Dahem AlQahtani, a journalist and blogger, writes [Ar] about the Minister of Information Shaikh Sabah Al Khalid, who has met with the editors-in-chief of local newspapers.

He wonders why the journalist union was not invited to the meeting:

وزير الاعلام الشيخ صباح الخالد حينما يعمل لوحده فإنه يبدع
ولكن وحينما يترك الأمور لغيره من طاقم وزارة الاعلام فأنهم
لا يهدونه إلى سبيل الصواب وإلا ما الذي يمنع الوزير من توسعة
المجال قليلا ليشمل القوى الحقيقة المؤثرة في الاعلام الكويتي ,
ولماذا لا يعمل بأبسط التقاليد المهنية ويقوم بدعوة رئيس نقابة الصحافيين
لحضور اللقاء وهي النقابة المعترف بها

The Minister of Information Shaikh Sabah Al Khalid is creative when he works on his own. However, when he depends on his team at the ministry, they don't lead him to do what is correct. Otherwise, why has prevented the minister from expanding the circle of invitees and including the real movers and shakers of the Kuwaiti media and why hasn't he respected the minimum professionalism expected and invited the president of the journalists union to attend the meeting and it is the union which is recognised.

The blogger also discusses the impact of online media and television, and wonders why they have been excluded from the gathering:

وزير الاعلام الشيخ صباح الخالد حينما يصحو من النوم يكون
أكثر تركيزا ونشاطا فيكون لحظتها وزير إعلام عصري يتابع
العصر بلغة العصر , ولكنه وحينما يمضي في يوم عمله
يصطدم بالعقليات المهنية التي عفا عليها الزمن فيتحول
إلى وزير إعلام تقليدي يختصر الاعلام الكويتي
في 14 رئيس تحرير صحيفة لا يملك معظمهم القرار في صحيفته .

When the Minister of Information Shaikh Sabah Al Khalid wakes up from his sleep, he is more focused and active. At that time he is a contemporary Minister of Information who speaks the language of the age. But as the day progresses, he collides with the professional mentalities which are old and changes into a typical traditional minister who sums up Kuwaiti media in 14 editors-in-chief, the majority of whom don't make the decisions in their papers.

Meanwhile, Bader from Moodart
creates a traditional artwork from recycled material. He describes his creation as:

ايضا من اطارات السيارات
طولها متر ونصف وعرضها نصف المتر
الوان اكريلك

Also from car tires,
One and half metres long by half a metre wide,
Acrylics

With his blog in mind, Yousef over at somecontrast, writes about ghabga he shared with 60 plus friends. A Ghabga is a late night meal in Ramadan, where friends, relatives and acquaintances are invited to socialise over traditional cuisine.

We had a Ghabga* at the Diwaniya yesterday. We took pictures of the whole thing. My brother got carried away with the camera and now i have over 350 pictures of every person of the 60+ who were there. When it was time to arrange the buffet I thought I should take as many pictures as possible, you know, good blogging material

Check out Yousef's blog for the array of food on the table.

And finally, Hellraiser writes about the purpose of Ramadan:

Contrary to popular beliefs, Ramadan, is not about eating, sleeping, Ghabkas and Sohoor [the last meal of the night before people start their fast]. Its about patience, self control to help oppress passions and temper, helping the less fortunate and Taqwa by reading the Quraan [the Muslim's Holy Book] and to strengthen one's faith

The mastermind behind the campaign, Ostad Hamam ( استاذ حمام) , from the blog neidans, charges:

لا أعلم الى متى هيبتنا كدولة تنتهك ونحن صامتين، قالوا لا تثيرون الموضوع حتى لا “يعاندنا” الايرانيون ويؤخرون خروجه، وها نحن ننتظر ويمر اسبوعين ولا خبر او علم! وكالة انباء فارس (اذا ممكن احد يترجم لنا الخبر، الموقع العربي لا يحتوي على الخبر!)، تذكر ان جهودا من “خالد الجارالله” وكيل الحارجية بذلت لاطلاق سراح المفقود، هناك تفاصيل مذكورة لم استطع فهمها، ولكن الحقيقة ان اي تقدم لم يحدث في الافراج عن المفقود.

I don't know until when we will remain quiet while our sovereignty is being violated. They have asked us to leave the matter alone so that the Iranians don't become stubborn and delay his release. We have been waiting for two weeks and we haven't heard anything. The Iranian News Agency (If anyone can translate the story! The Arabic site doesn't have it) says that Khalid Al Jarallah, the Foreign Affairs Under-Secretary, is exerting efforts for his release. There were some details mentioned which I couldn't understand, but the truth is that he still hasn't been released.

من ناحيتي، سأقترح حملة بالتعاون مع زملائي المدونين للضغط باستعجال الافراج عن المفقود، وثقتي كبيرة بزملائي المدونين بأن يتحركوا لاثارة هذا الموضوع، فنحن اذا ما المصالح دعت البعض للسكوت، لن يستطيعوا ان يرفعوا اقلامنا عن قول الحق، وما ابسطه من حق وهو المطالبة باسترجاع احد ابناء هذه الارض البرره.

I think we as bloggers should start a campaign to call for the expedited release of Hussein. I hugely believe in my fellow bloggers and that they will participate in this campaign. If some have been forced to keep quiet to protect their interests, we will not be stopped from saying the truth. And it is a simple right we are calling for - and that is the return of one of the sons of this country back to his home.

Kuwaiti bloggers were quick to respond. Enter-q8 introduces a banner for the campaign and explains why pushing for his release is paramount:

ليش هالتحرك و هالحملة و السؤال
عن حسين الفضاله
هل لأن اهو سني هل لأنه اهو ولد بطنها هل لأنه اهو حضري
لا يا سادة
لأنه شريك معانا و معاكم
نعم
لأنه كويتي
كويتي يرتبط معاك بالعقد اللي انت و انا وانتي موقعين عليه
و بناء على قبولنا بهالعقد و بهالشراكة
خذينا شهادة تثبت هالشي
شنو هالعقد اللي الكل يتسائل عنه
العقد اهو الدستور
اللي ينظم حياتنا و دولتنا و عملنا و تصرفنا
العقد اللي موقع عليه حسين الفضالة
نفس العقد اللي انت و انا موقعين عليه
يعني كلنا شركاء و نتحمل المسؤلية معاً
خلنا نشوف احد بنود هالعقد
المادة السابعة من دستور دولة الكويت
مادة - 7
العدل والحرية والمساواة دعامات المجتمع, والتعاون والتراحم صلة وثقى بين المواطنين
التعاون و التراحم صلة وثقى بين المواطنين
المواطنيين شركاء الوطن

You may be asking why this campaign and movement for Hussein Al Fudalah?
Is it because he is Sunni? Is it because he isn't a nomad?
No, it is because he is our partner. Yes, my and your partner.
Because he is Kuwaiti - a Kuwaiti who is linked to you and me with the contract that we all adhere to.
You may wonder what that contract is? Gentlemen, it is our Constitution, which organises our lives, nation and our work. It is the contract that Hussein Al Fudalah has signed - the same contract you and I have signed too, which means we are all partners and are liable.
Let's check one of the clauses of this contract.
Item Seven says:
Justice, freedom and equality are the pillars of society; cooperation and compassion are the strongest link between citizens.
Cooperation and compassion are the strongest link between citizens.
Citizens are partners in the nation.

اليوم حسين
باكر يمكن انت
يمكن اخوك
ابوك
و بالاخير مواطن كويتي شريكك و شريكي
لنعيد تلاحمنا كما كان
ندعو الى الله أن يرد حسين لأهله و بلده
المعاناة ما عشتها لكن ابسطها بابسط مثال
اغلبنا يسافر سياحة و يتلهف على العوده لبلده
سياحة فما بالك من لانعرف مصيره
أسف ولكن اكيد لن يكون بنفس حاله بين اهله و بلده
أدعوا معنا لشريكنا في الوطن
المواطن حسين الفضالة بالعودة الى ابنائه وربعه و جيرانه
و الى رؤية بلده الكويت
و لا تنسوا ان تساهموا معنا برفع الشعار
حتى يعود

Today, it's Hussein's turn. Tomorrow, it could be you, or your brother, or father. At the end, it would be a Kuwaiti citizen - who is your and my partner. In order for us to cooperate with each other like we used to, we pray for Allah to return Hussein to his family and country. I haven't been through the agony he is going through now, but let me simplify it with another example: Most of us travel abroad for tourism and are eager to return home after a while. Imagine how it is for him, when we don't even know where he is. I am sorry, but he cannot be like he is when he is with his family and in his country. Pray with us that the citizen Hussein Al Fudalah returns to his children, friends and neighbours, and to his country. And don't forget to post the banner until his return.

comfy zone q8 writes about Hussein's plight as well:

It`s really depressing when you wake up to the ugly fact that your security as a citizen is not among the priorities of the government of your country.
It`s really humiliating when you discover that your value as a human being is not being respected and your simplest right of living safely is not guaranteed
it`s really frightening when you suddenly vanish and no one show any seriousness in finding you.
and it`s really sad when your country give you up for the sake of “the international relations”

Exzombie is frustrated with the government for not exerting enough pressure to secure Hussein's release. He says:

we are a bit disappointed with the level of ignorance the Government and the Parliament is showing to this case and their negligence to suffering of Husain's family.
a month has passed by now and no one could even tell if he was release, where and when, and what his condition is, we sympathize with his family and may he return safe and sound.

3erzala posts an appeal for Iranian officials to release Hussein, written by Enter-q8, which hopes people would email to Iranian officials. The letter appeals for Hussein's release and his quick return to his family.

According to Kuwaiti Arab Times:

Hamed Al-Othman says in an interview with Al-Qabas daily published Sunday he has prepared a bill that criminalizes promoting vice, incitement against the country’s leadership, divulging state secrets, or insulting Islam on the Web. If convicted, offenders would be sentenced to up to one year in jail and/or a fine, but face seven years in prison if their victims are minors.

Kuwait's bloggers are unhappy with what they see as new restrictions against freedom of expression.

Blogger Forzaq8 warns that two clauses in the draft law are likely to “throw most internet users in jail.” He says the first deals with the unlawful use of the Internet and the second with unlawful distribution of research and literary work.

“going to setup my bag for couple of prison terms,” jokes the blogger.

Writing in Arabic, As you like posts a few useful tips for bloggers to protect themselves from the impending law. He says:

Blogger Muwathaf is also incensed by the new guidelines. He writes:

Another blogger, Krakatoa notes that the new draft is unclear and needs explanation. He points:

White Wings from is there light presents a number of scenarios such as the following:

According to Exzombie:

يحسب على الدكتور عدم حياديته في الطرح رغم توضيحنا له مرارا حول المجتمع التدويني الكويتي، فهو دائما يصور هذا المجتمع بان جمه ليبرالي رغم ان المدونات التي اعلنت توجهاتها تشكل نسبة ضئيلة من مجمل المدونات الكويتية، فضلا عن ان مدوناتنا الليبرالية لا تمثل سوى كسر بسيط من هذه المدونات، و تحامل غير مهني على الاخوان او الاقطاب الاسلامية و احتواء الكثير من ما يسطره من مغالطات دالة على سطحية الرؤية في المجتمع التدويني،

Krakatoa-q8 too has his reservations and says:

ثم طينها الاخ رئيس قسم التكنولوجيا و العلوم..بوضعه لمقابلة ( الله اعلم من اين اتى بها ) عن مقابلة مع مدون مصري؟؟!! لحظه لحظه..هل الكويت تعاني من قلة مدونين حتى تذهب الى ارض الكنانه وتقابل مدون مصري لانعلم اصله من فصله يتحدث في امور سياسية تخص دولة اخرى ونحن في الكويت وكمدونين لا نوصي بالتدخل بشؤون الدول الاخرى فلدينا مايكفينا من المشاكل والبلاوي والعلل، حنا شكو والمدونين المصريين..شنو دخل اهلنا فيهم..ماذا تريدنا يا جمال ان نتوقع مستقبلا ؟؟مقابلة مع مدون موزامبيقي او مقابلة مع مدون من جزر الاباطور مثلا؟؟

يجدر بالاشارة الى ان المقابلة مسرووقة حرفيا من موقع نافذة كارنغي على الشرق الاوسط..مع مدون اسمه ساند مونكي..يعني حتى اشارة الى المصدر..ماميش!!!!

As You Like has another take on the issue and is concerned with the nationality of the page editor. He writes:

ظـهرت في الاسابيع الماضية صـفحة في جريدة القبس تهتم بشؤون المدونات، في بداية نشأة الصـفحة، اهتم الجريدة ببعض المدونات، مدونات نفـتخر بها نحن كـ مدونين، لكن ان يتم استغلال الصـفحة لصـعود الموجة، على حسابنا، فهذا مانرفضه، خصوصاً ان يكـون الصاعد على هذه الموجة شخص “عـراقـي” لايمت للكويت بصلة.

هذا الـعراقي، رأيت ردوده في احدى المدونات العزيزة علينا، يشـبه احدى الجماعات السياسية في الكويت بأنها “قذرة” وكـ”الزبالة”، وهذا ما لا نرضاه على ابناء الكويت، سواء اختلفنا معهم، ازدادت حدة النقاش بيننا، الا اننا نظل في الاخير كويتيين،.

With the mercury increasing as the summer sets in in Kuwait, bloggers are busy looking for distractions this summer vacation.

Among them is Zdistrict, who goes on a trip to Kubbar Island. He writes:

This was a bit of a hot weekend and going to Kubbar didn’t seem like a bad idea, I wanted to jump in some water too cool off. Took about 20 minutes to get things ready on the boat, and waiting for a few people before heading off to Kubbar. It was hot as hell on the deck, and I wanted to jump right into the water but the water in the Marina is somewhat disgusting so I opted out, instead I was rubbing ice cubes on my head which melted rather quickly.

Meanwhile, Desertgirlkuwait goes on a trip to Kabd. She describes her outing as follows:

Kabd is pronounced “chebd” in local dialect. “Chebd” means liver in Arabic. Don't ask me about the correlation. I don't know.

Since the government bulldozed the entire Funaitees area off of Fahaheel Expressway (30) where most of the farms used to be, almost the entire former population has moved their farms to Kabd. Nobody (except for my friend, M, whose wife kicked him out of the house) lives in these places as they were intended for agricultural use. (When I say “agricultural” I mean “party”.)

Chillnite goes to the Kuwait Aquarium and writes:

Over the weekend we decided to visit the Kuwait Aquarium located in the Kuwait Scientific Center. One word ‘Fantabulous‘…

If you are bogged down by the heat, or over stressed with work, or would like to let off some steam…just drop by at the aquarium.

Image Credit zdistrict

Politics shouldn’t interfere in games , i was shocked and sicked to hear that people want laws to to control what games we can buy or not.
I don’t want laws requires all retailers to check ID from any child trying to buy games.
I believe that Parents should take responsibility , not the government , its not freedom thing , its responsibility

Another blogger, Ajel turns his attention to newspapers in Kuwait. He says:

لدينا في الكويت – حتى الآن – 14 صحيفة يومية سياسية ، وهناك المزيد منها بالطريق ، توجد أيضا مواقع إخبارية ومدونات الكترونية شبه إخبارية تزود قراءها بكل ما تعزف وسائل الإعلام المختلفة عن نشره ومنها القنوات الخاصة التي باتت تخصص جزء من برامجها لمناقشة الأحداث المحلية الساخنة بصورة أفضل من تلفزيون الكويت الذي يتجنب عادة الخوض في تلك المسائل
موضوعنا هو كيف نقرأ ما سوف يقع وليس ما وقع ؟ وأي الصحف التي تخدمنا في هذا المجال على الصعيد السياسي بالدرجة الأولى ؟

Until now, we have 14 daily newspapers in Kuwait, and more will be published soon. There are also news sites and blogs which cover news of all that media refuses to publish, in addition to the private television stations which cover hot local issues better than Kuwait's national television station, which usually avoids covering such topics. Our topic today is how to read what will happen and not what has happened and which newspapers serve this purpose when it comes to political coverage.

SpiKeY writes what he thinks is an accurate description of Kuwaiti female bloggers. He notes:

So female bloggers….do you think being open to the world helps the (Kuwaiti) internet users know about you?

By open…I mean…that you talk about the “taboo” stuff….like doing it…like smokin..like drinking…like havin fun alone….like cussing…drugs….sexuality…. lesbianism..(NOTE: these are considered taboo in our society it aint ma opinion)…..

Bahsar, over at blogallalong, wonders what the Ministry of Communications wants. He writes:

The Ministry of Communications (MOC) is the central authority in Kuwait for internet and phone, which includes ISPs, phone lines, and mobile operators. Such a big responsibility that can take the country both ways. And unfortunately, the way they’re doing it can only take us backward I am afraid

Aggz The Aggressor writes:

We will strike with an Iron Fist!”
“We may die, but Kuwait will live on!”

I always remembered his words during those terrible days of the Iraqi Occupation, they gave us hope, enforced our need to remain steadfast in our hopes of returning to our country.

Estekana sums up his feelings of sadness in a poetic manner, saying:

Shagran writes:

Amer over at Hilaliya gives his reason why he is so into the elections this year:

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not 'social' individual, not social in the Kuwaiti ‘political animal' sense of visiting diwaniyas, campaign headquarters, and ‘getting out the vote'

“What's gotten into you?” relatives and close friends ask.

But the answer is simple really…The country is in a severe state of gridlock, buffered by corruption, waste and inefficiency. Now we have no control over who the government appoints to run the country but we do have the power to make the right choice on May 17.

Forzaq8 over at 5-Q8 writes his final thoughts on the elections:

Election should be taken seriously , it is not a game
Tomorrow your Vote decide your future and your sons future
for example don't ask why didn't they build a new hospital when the member you voted for didn't approve the funding for it , and more example could be said

Still on the topic of the elections, Aggz The Aggressor writes a brief history of democracy in Kuwait:

Many may argue against this post, though I hope it ‘at least’ makes sense to most readers.

We’ve come to realize that democracy in Kuwait is something of a unique experience, especially to those of us that never saw Kuwait in it’s infancy

Away from the elections, Dr Mahbob brings us news of an agreement between the government and Knet (Knet is a national company providing electronic banking services to all the banks in Kuwait) and what he thinks of it.

I think this is big step toward e-payment and I hope hackers don’t show up when the smell chance of stealing money online.

Q8Ba7th writes about his experience going to P2BK2008:

P2BK is a new youth initiative to organize annual forum for small and startup businesses. A healthy and definitely needed concept I say for startups and small business who can’t afford to take place in big expos like Info Connect and others.

And finally Ducatiq8 explains his feelings when he abides by the new law of not using his cell phone while driving:

اليوم كان اول يوم يطبق فيه قانون منع استخدام الهاتف النقال يدويا أثناء القيادة
طبعا ديكاتي مواطن صالح وملتزم و تقي وورع وكل الصفات الزينه فيني
اليوم اول ما ركبت المركبة(أخييه يا انا يا ابو مركبه) المهم حطيت عدتي
وطلعت السماعه وقعدت اضبطها لإن وايراتها متعربكه فقعدت اطلعهم وحطيتها على رقبتي

Today was the first day for the implementation of the law that forbids using mobile phones while driving. Of course, Ducati is a good law abiding devout committed citizen and all the good things are in me. As soon as I got into my car today, O got my kit out and the earphone and started setting them up because wires were tangled and then put it around my neck.

ووصلناها بالتلفون واستلمت القياده
الواحد واهوه يطبق القانون يحس بشعور حلو يعني وانا اسوق واطالع يميني ويساري يعني شوفوني ترا مطبق القانون
المهم وصلت الكلية ونزلت من السيارة وانا معلق السماعه
والناس تشوفني الله شوفوا ديكاتي مطبق القانون والبنات يأشرون شوفي شوفي مطبق القانون

I then connected it to the phone and started to drive. When a person follows the rules, he develops a good feeling. I was looking left and right, trying to show others that I was abiding by the law! I then arrived at the college and got out of the car, with the earphone dangling around my neck and people were looking at me and saying to themselves: ‘Oh look! Ducati is abiding by the law! Even the girls were pointing at me.

وصلت عند المحاضرة والربع واقفين سلمت عليهم والكل يقولي ها ديكاتي مطبق القانون
اقولهم اي والله شسوي طبقت القانون
دشيت المحاضرة وبدأ الدكتور بالكلام وافتتحها بالكلام عن القانون واخذني كمثال جيد لتطبيق القانون
يقولي الدكتور ها ديكاتي اشوفك مستانس شكلك اول مره تطبق القانون
وانا اضحك اي والله شنسوي يا دكتور طبقنا القانون

I arrived at my lecture location and found my friends standing there. I said hello to them and everyone was saying: ‘Oh Ducati, you are implementing the law?' I told them I had to. At the lecture, the professor started his talk speaking about the new law and set me out as an example of someone who abides to the law. He then told me it looked as if it was the first time for me to implement the law. I laughed and said: ‘What can I do Doctor, we followed the law?'

تدش الجمعيه ويشوفك الكاشير ويقولك طبقت القانون اتقوله اي
تروح ستاربكس يطلعلك الفلبينو هاي سير يو سيم ذات يو طبقت القانون او الرول
وانا اقوله يس يس مي طبقت ذا قانون
تروح المسجد تصلي ويقولك الشيخ احسنت جزاك الله خير انت مثال يحتذى به لتطبيق القانون
ترجع البيت ابوك يشوفك يقولك عفيه على ولدي انا ربيتك على تطبيق القانون وتربيتي ما راحت بلاش وهذا انت طبقت القانون

You enter the supermarket and the cashiers see you and asks: ‘You are following the law?' and you say yes. And then you go to Starbucks and the Filipino there says: ‘Hi Sir. It seems that you implemented the new law!' and you reply: ‘Yes, yes, I did.' You go the the mosque to pray and the Imam tells you: ‘May Allah reward you for being a good example and abiding by the law. And finally you return home, where you meet your father, who tells you: ‘Congratulations to you my son. I raised you to respect the law and I have not failed in that as I see you implementing the law!'

Saba [Ar] posts the following eulogy:

يعتصرنا الالم بفقدان رجل عظيم من رجالات الكويت
الذي ضحى بحياته وكرسها دائما وابدا من اجل الدفاع عن تراب هذه الارض
وكان رحمة الله عليه علامة بارزة في تاريخ الكويت المعاصر
كقائد عظيم يشار عليه بالبنان
وذلك من خلال البطولات التى تصدى لها
في فترة تقلدة مراكز السيادة والحكم في دولتنا الحبييه

We are hurt by the loss of a great man from Kuwait, who sacrificed his life and spent it always to defend this land. He was, may Allah rest his soul in peace, a major personality in Kuwait's contemporary history. He was a great leader, with heroic deeds which everyone knows about during his official work and rule in our beloved country.

Mr Chocolate [Ar] too is overcome with emotions and writes:

كنت سنداً لأخيك أمير القلوب الشيخ جابر الأحمد الجابر الصباح رحمه الله
و والداً لأهل الكويت
لن ننسى فضلك و جهدك في تحرير الكويت
و لن ننسى انك كنت أحد أبناء أبو الدستور الشيخ عبدالله السالم الصباح
ربما حكمتنا أيام و لكن لن ننسى معاناتك مع المرض
رحمكم الله جميعاً يا أوفياء الكويت

You have always been a pillar of strength for your brother, the Emir of Hearts, Shaikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, may Allah rest his soul in peace. You have been a father for the people of Kuwait. We will never forget your efforts in liberating Kuwait and we will never forget that you have been one of the sons of the father of the Kuwaiti constitution Shaikh Abdulla Al Salem Al Sabah. You may have been a ruler for a few days but we will never forget your suffering with illness. May Allah have mercy on all the faithful people of Kuwait.

Al Tariq [Ar] wishes the people of Kuwait patience in dealing with this calamity. He writes:

ادعو له بالرحمة والمغفرة ، وأن يلهم الله أهله وذويه والشعب الكويتي الصبر والسلوان

I pray for mercy and forgiveness for him and may his bereaved family and the people of Kuwait have the patience to deal with this calamity.

5-q8 posts the following picture, which says: Farewell, Father of Fahad, Shaikh Saad's eldest son.

The Blkalfasih [Ar] announced that the elections will be held on Saturday, May 17, adding that three days of mourning - Wednesday, Thursday and Friday - have been declared in the state.

Fifty seats are being contested in the elections, for the National Assembly (Majlis al-Umma). Kuwait's 1962 constitution calls for elections to the unicameral National Assembly every four years. Elections are held earlier if the Emir (Ruler) exercises his constitutional power to dissolve parliament. On May 21, 2006, the Emir dissolved the National Assembly through constitutional means and Kuwait held national elections on June 29, 2006. The voters selected the 50 members of the country's National Assembly and for the first time ever, women in this Arab country were able to vote. On March 19, the Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah dissolved parliament again after constant clashes between the government and the elected MPs, and called for new elections on May 17.

Amer over at Hilaliya is blogging his ‘election tour,' where he is going from one campaign headquarters to the other. In his latest post, he visits one of the candidates and writes:

A few nights ago I attended the campaign inauguration of a friend and former colleague of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2nd District candidate Abdullah Al-Yahya, whom I've always known to be a candid and fervent defender of the Kuwaiti democratic institution.

Amer also encourages fellow bloggers to write about the elections and says:

Now many Arabic-language blogs and some English-language blogs are already excelling at the election coverage with its smorgasbord of polemic side dishes, but many of you out there still have not taken a dip into the election lake. I urge the Kuwaiti Blogosphere - at least the ones who haven't touched on the upcoming elections to at least post one story about the upcoming elections, it could be a candidate profile, a television spot, an a campaign rally still, a humorous spoof…you decide.

Do your thing. The results might surprise you.

Meanwhile, Ducati [Ar] writes about how everything in his life now rotates around the elections, saying:

هاليومين صاير الجو انتخابي بحت
يعني احس قمنا نشرب انتخابات
ناكل انتخابات
نتنفس انتخابات
نقرا انتخابات
انام بالإنتخابات
اصحى على الإنتخابات
اقعد مع ابوي نسولف بالإنتخابات
اقعد مع امي مع يدتي نسولف بالإنتخابات
مع الدكتور مع رفيجي مع الي ينظف الشارع أيضا بالإنتخابات
حتى الإعلانات التجارية صارت ذات صبغه انتخابية

Those couple of days have been about the elections only. I feel that we are drinking elections, eating elections, breathing elections, reading about the elections, sleeping elections, waking up on the elections. I sit with my father for a chat and we talk about the elections. I sit with my mother and grandmother and we talk about the elections. I talk about the elections with my doctor too, with my friends and with the man who cleans the street. Even commercial advertisements are tainted with elections.

Last but not least, we stop with Aseel [Ar] over at the 5-Q8 blog, who sends a strong message to the women of Kuwait, urging them to use their votes wisely. She notes:

تنوعت المذاهب الفكرية، وتلونت الضمائر والعقول، وتعددت المصالح وتباين الوعي السياسي والوطني، ليضيع الوطن الكويت بين حانا ومانا!!.. لن نناشد بالمدينة الفاضلة، فأفلاطون لم يكن يوما هنا، ولكن نناشد بقليل من العقلانية والتفكير بصالح هذه الأرض المتعبة والمنهكة بأحمال شعب وحكومة

There are diverse intellectual doctrines and different consciences and minds, as well as various levels of political and national awareness, which make Kuwait lost. We are not calling for a Utopia as Plato has never been here, but we are appealing for a little rationality and concern for the well-being of this land, which is tired and worn out from the burden of the actions of its people and Government.

هؤلاء من يصنعن من السلبية ثوبا يلبسنه في هذه الفترة العصيبة لا يعلمن بأن مواقفهن تبني وتهد الكثير، قد تغير مستقبل أبنائهن وطباخ ديرتهن، وقد تُلبس الكويت أسوأ أو أفضل صيحات الموضة على جميع أصعدتها، وهؤلاء من يحلمن بغايات شخصية، بزيادة راتب أو إسقاط قرض وغيره من أحلام شبيهة، ألا يعلمن بأن مصلحة الوطن أهم وأكبر؟ وأن من يعمل لصالح الوطن بالأحرى هو يعمل لصالح المواطن وإن كان على المدى البعيد؟ فليلبسن عيني زرقاء اليمامة قليلا ليوقنّ بأن هذه المصالح الشخصية والوقتية هي ذرى وطن مكلوم، وأن هناك ما هو أجدى لدولة ووطن وشعب

Those who weave from negativity a garment to wear at this difficult time, do not know that their stances make and break a lot. It might even change the course of the future of their children. Kuwaitis may wear the worst or the best of the latest fashions, across all levels, and those who dream of personal gains, like a salary increment, the dropping of loans or similar dreams, should realise that the interest of their nation is bigger and more important. Those who work for the benefit of the nation in reality work for the benefit of citizens, even if this benefit may only be evident on the long run. Let them look longer in the distance to learn that such personal interests are the grains for a distressed country, and that there are things which are better for the state, the nation and its people.

وهؤلاء الأخوات ممن يناشدن للانتخاب كالقطيع وراء عائلة أو قبيلة، يسقط الوطن من عقولهن وقلوبهن لتسكن جاهلية الفكر مكانهما، ومن ثم يترحمن على غياب الكويت من ركب التقدم والحضارة!.. يسقط من ذاكرتهن بأن تقدم الدول لا يكون بالعودة لعصر الجاهلية الأولى والتمسك بأسمال العائلة والقبيلة، يتناسين بأن الكويت أثمن وأفخر من أي تبعية، ومصلحتها هي مصلحتهن لا شيء آخر سواء على المدى العاجل أو الآجل، فهل نسين أيام سود جثم فيها الغزو البائد على أرض هذا الوطن الصغير بمساحته الكبير بهمومه؟ نسين بأن أشمل ما يجمعنا هو وطن لا عائلة وقبيلة؟ حزين هو مشهد هذا القطيع من النساء وهن منقادات تابعات معصوبات الأعين والضمائر وراء جاهلية العقل والقلب

There are women who are flocking to the elections like a herd, rallying for candidates based on their family and tribal allegiances. They ignore the nation in their minds and hearts and replace them with the thoughts of Al Jahiliya (the Age of Ignorance, before the emergence of Islam) and they then complain about the absence of Kuwait from development and civilization! They seem to forget that the development of nations doesn't happen by going back to the early Al Jahiliya Age and holding tight to family and tribal allegiances. They seem to forget that Kuwait is more precious than any allegiance and that its interest is above all else. Have they forgotten the dark days of the occupation, on the small land of this country, which is cumbered with worry? Have they forgotten that what ties us to each other is this nation and not families and tribes? It is sad seeing these blindfolded women, with ignorant minds and hearts, being herded.

وأما من يتحيزن لمذهب أي كان، لن نناشد بالانسلاخ من جلد المذهبية، لن ندعو إلى أحلام ذهبية ليس هذا آوانها، ولكن قليلا من التفكير بهذه الأرض التي حملت بكن وأنجبتكن بنات لها، آزرن الأصلح للكويت ولمستقبل أبنائكن

For those biased for their own (religious) sects, I will not appeal to you to let do of your sectarianism, for this golden dream is premature. I only ask you to give a little thought to this land, which carried you and gave birth to you as its daughters: support those who are best for Kuwait and the future of your children.

وهؤلاء الحالمات بالدينار الحرام، أملا في تحسين هزيل لوضع مادي أو لرفاهية مؤقتة، لن نناشد بوطن ومستقبل دولة، بل بدين وعزة نفس وكرامة اجتماعية يسقطون كالشهب من سماء ذواتكن، فتُمعنّ في السقوط أكثر، وفي عصْر الكويت ليمونة ليشرب الجميع مذاقها الحامض

And those longing for money obtained by unlawful methods, looking for a means to improve their lot or short-lived luxury, I will not appeal to you in the name of the nation and the future of this country, but in the name of religion, your dignity and social morality. You can continue to fall some more, in an age where Kuwait has become a lemon, and everyone can taste its sourness.

انسوا الشعارات الرنانة واتركوا عنكم مثيري المشاعر ومدغدغي الوطنية والاصلاح والشفافية وانظروا لمن يعمل.. انتخبوا الأصلح فمجلس 2006 انتم الذين واللاتي صنعتمتوه وأنتم من اكلتم نتاج حصاده.. كلنا امل بان لا يعيد التاريخ نفسه بأيديكم

Forget resonant slogans and those who tickle your feelings with words about nationalism, reform and transparency. Look at those who work .. and elect the best. The 2006 Parliament was what you created and you were the ones who reaped the harvest. We hope that you will not contribute to history repeating itself again.

Yousef over at somecontrast writes about his visit to the shooting range - one of the many attractions in Kuwait.

I went yesterday to the Mayadeen shooting range with my friend. It was my first time in Kuwait, I went once in Dubai and I loved it over there. In Dubai I used shotguns which made quite an impression on me.. and my shoulder.

From the shooting range, we move to a touching project, led by a group of Kuwaiti girls called We Care, which also maintains a blog, describing their many activities. Their latest is a visit to a nursing home, where they went laden with gifts and food.

According to the blog [Ar]:

الاسبوعين اللي طافوا كنا نستعد لهذا اليوم .. هاليوم كان غير عن اللي قدموه we care .. بما انه طموحنا نهتم بكل فئات المجتمع .. هاليوم كان رحلة الى دار المسنين ..رايحين نقابل 18 مسنه فقط .. اهم اللي حالاتهم النفسيه والمرضيه تسمح لهم يقابلون الناس ويسولفون .. الباجي مو اجتماعيين او المرض يمنعهم.

Because our hopes is to cover all sectors of society, today we paid a visit to the Elderly Centre, where we will be meeting with 18 women, who are in a condition to meet people and chat. The rest were not sociable or were sick. We spent the previous two weeks at We Care preparing for this day, which
was different from any other.

At the centre, the blogger describes how touched the volunteers were:

عقب قعدنا وياهم نسولف ونصب لهم جاي وقهوه ..
ماخش عنكم قلبي عورني وكنت احاول امسك روحي كثر ماقدر.. وايد من القروب يطلعون بره ويردون يدشون بس عشان مايبين عليهم الحزن.. ما ننلام والله..
قعدت ويانا وحده كنا نسولف سوالف عاديه ونضحك وياهم مانبي نعرف منو يابهم والا شحقه وليش نبيهم ينسون.. هالمواضيع ماتستاهل تنفتح علشان ما نضيق خلقهم ويضيق خلقنا.. بدون مايتكلمون و خنقتنا العبره شلون لو تكلموا!؟
قعدنا مع وحده نسألها مرتاحه مستانسه وشسمج .. سوالف عاديه بنص الحجي قالت انا اخواني ماشوفهم كلش وخواتي مايزوروني بس ساعات يزوروني الخميس وكله يقولون لي بناخذج وويروحون ويخلوني وغطت روحها بالملفع و قامت تبجـي… انا عن نفسي قمت ماقدرت .. موقف صج يحس الواحد مو بس يأثر ييجرح يخليك تحلف مليون مره لو شنو ماكانوا امك وابوك جاسيين ماتقطهم هالقطه .. تحس بنعمه ما فكرت تحس فيها من قبل…

We sat, chatting with them, and pouring tea and coffee for them. I won't hide from you how much my heart hurt and how I was trying hard to hold myself but I couldn't. Many members of the group used to excuse themselves and go out, just so that they don't show their emotions and sadness. They cannot be blamed really. One of the women was chatting to us, talking about everyday matters and laughing. We didn't ask them who brought them to the centre and why, because we wanted them to forget. These are topics which shouldn't be opened so that we don't bother them and ourselves. Without them saying anything, we were choked by our tears. What would happen if they spoke?!
We asked one of the women whether she was satisfied and happy and her name. She spoke normally to us and then said that she doesn't see her brothers and that her sisters rarely visit her, sometimes on Thursdays, where they would promise her to return her home with them before leaving without her. She covered her face and started to sob. I couldn't take it and had to leave. It was a difficult situation which really hurt and made you think that however cruel your parents were, you would never throw them out like this. You feel a blessing you have never felt before.

When it came for the volunteers to leave, the blogger writes:

يت حزة الروحه وانا اسلم على اللي نادتني قتلها استانستي؟ قالت وايد قتلها تبين نزورج بعد؟ قالت تعالوا كل يوم ابيكم اتزوروني احبكم انا! …شوفوا شلون قلوبهم بيضه وصافيه ويحبون اي احد يحسون انه اهتم فيهم حتى لو ساعه…

While saying our goodbyes, one of the elderly women called me towards her. I asked her if she was happy. She said she was very happy. I asked her if she wanted us to visit her again. She said: “Come everyday. I want you to visit me. I love you!” .. See how kind-hearted they are and how they love anyone, even those who took care of them for one hour.

Away from the centre, Bu Maryoom, over at 5-q8 writes about female candidates running for the elections.

Photocredit: somecontrast

Forzaq8 tells those complaining about the new traffic law that they got what they wanted - after years of asking why Kuwait can't be like the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Forzaq8 explains:

Who hasn’t heard this or some of its variations ?
” We want to be like the UAE ”
I’m totally sick of it , i hear it a lot , why not the USA ? or Japan ?
Well now we do something like the UAE and people are complaining

Fonzy thinks the law is unfair - with deportation being too strict a punishment. He notes:

I have full respect and completely support how the ministry is doing its best to impose traffic laws in Kuwait. But at times, I think they are overdoing it with the penalties. Just read an article on Arab Times about expats who fail to respect the traffic rules. Apparently, now they can be deported if they jump a red light and have previous traffic violations… in other words, 2 strikes and you’re out! (…)

(P)ersonally, I think deportation is too extreme. Fining them or jailing them was too much already. How about by revoking his license as a start.

Still on the topic of traffic, Buzberry posts a table of traffic violations and the fines they carry, while Marzouq of Z District is angry that officials closed off entire stretches of highways to traffic to ferry foreign officials attending a conference in the country.

An exasperated Marzouq explains:

There was no notification what so ever of this traffic or that the police were going to be blocking off roads. I read the newspapers and there was no mention of this, there is a meeting in Bayan Palace with people coming from out of state. This caused havoc on the roads of Kuwait for several hours, I hated being outside due to this hellish traffic. The usually 20 minute trip took me an hour and 10 minutes, and a 15 minute trip took one hour in the car. I went nuts sitting in a car going 10 kph, and knowing the traffic is being cause by the idiots who didn’t plan this out. They should have a fleet of helicopters to transport these dignitaries instead of causing over 7 hours worth of traffic without any warning.

… and the following remark:

This morning I arrived to work early, mostly my usual, and when I crossed the street i saw this. I felt really sorry for the people who had their cars under it

Moving from the storm, Fonzation speaks of the new traffic penalties that the Kuwaiti Interior Ministry is imposing. He writes:

Just read an article on Arab Times about expats who fail to respect the traffic rules. Apparently, now they can be deported if they jump a red light and have previous traffic violations

And K The Kuwaiti talks about how impossible it has become to order his morning dose of espresso:

A simple order of an espresso in the morning is extended into a ridiculously long banter about the million different variations of beans and water that they offer. They ask you if you want to add several layers of caramel, chocolate, vanilla, coconuts and almonds. After the exhaustive repetitions of the word no, no, no… They attempt to sell you yet another drink which has absolutely no correlation to your intended order. You want an espresso? Then how about you try our frozen cinnamon mango shake with a crushed snickers bar. By the time your order is complete, your constant begging for an espresso has evolved into a seven shot caramel affogato accompanied by a chicken quiche.

About next month's parliamentary elections, Bint Alshamiya discusses the issue of election bribes. She writes (Ar):

عندى صديقه عزيزة علي من أيام الجامعة
من الصبح دقت على وصوتها متغير شويه
سولفت معاها وسألتها شلونكم مع الإنتخابات
مسكينه كانت إتحلطم…نسيت لا أقول لكم
صديقتى العزيزة من سكان صليبيخات
قالت الله ما يرضى بهالكلام …كل من يتكلم عنا
وعن بيع ذممنا مقابل رشاوى يدفعها ناس فاسدون
لناس أفسد منهم…… أنا ما أنكر إن هناك ناس يشترونهم
بالمال السياسي….بس مو كل صليبيخات
جم نسبة الفاسد من بين جموعنا….10% 20% اكثر
إذا هم قبضوا فهم مرتشين
بس مرشحينكم هم الراشين
بس الباجين شرفاء ما يبيعون الوطن من أجل حفنة دنانير

I have a dear friend from my university days. She called me this morning and there was a strange tone in her voice. I chatted with her and asked her about the elections. The poor thing was nagging. I forgot to mention that my friend is from Sulaibikhat. She said that God doesn't accept what is happening, and how everyone was talking about them - about selling their conscience in return for elections bribes paid by corrupt people for those more corrupt than them. I don't deny that there are people whose votes are bought with political money ..but that doesn't apply to the entire Sulaibikhat. How many people amongst us are corrupt: 10% or 20%? If they have accepted bribes then their candidates were the ones who bribed them. But the remaining people are honest and will not sell their country for a few dinars (Kuwaiti currency).

Here are a few posts from Kuwait about the day:

Ma6aba:

How i hate that day! its nerve wrecking if u ask me. And i always end up being the fool somehow (Which worsens the day if that’s possible).

Area 77:

I’m not getting pranked or anything but the internet just sucks for a whole week afterward. You don’t know what the hell is real or not!

Big Pearls:

I can't believe it's “April Fool's Day” already. I remember the dinner I had at new year's eve, it feels like yesterday. Days pass so fast, it's scary!

Blog all along:

This is the day of the year I really hate. The day where you go to read the news, and go elsewhere to read if what you read was true

Picture Credit : Intlxpatr