Latest news with #JaberAl-AhmadAl-JaberAl-Sabah
Arab Times
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
35 Years On: Kuwait Remembers The 1990 Iraqi Invasion And Its Path To Liberation
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 1: On Friday, August 2nd, Kuwait commemorates the 35th anniversary of the Iraqi invasion—an event that not only marked a dark chapter in the nation's history but also rallied the international community in a unified effort to liberate the country from occupation. The brutal invasion by Iraqi forces in 1990 drew widespread global condemnation, with many nations denouncing the act as a grave violation of international law and a heinous assault on Kuwait's sovereignty. The aggression resulted in widespread death, destruction, and human suffering for the peaceful people of Kuwait. Those who lived through the invasion vividly recall the chaos unleashed by the Iraqi military—major roads were blocked, infrastructure was destroyed, and homes and properties were ravaged, leaving civilians to endure unimaginable hardships. Yet, amid this turmoil, Kuwaitis stood resilient. Citizens rose in defiance, forming resistance movements to fight back and support their homeland's liberation. Kuwaiti women played a vital role in this resistance, delivering supplies and weapons, and even participating directly in military operations alongside men. Both Kuwaitis and expatriates joined forces in forming underground networks that provided essential services, resisted the occupiers, and helped maintain a spirit of unity and determination. While the resistance unfolded on the ground, Kuwait's leadership—under the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah—worked tirelessly on the international stage to rally support for the country's liberation. On August 2, 1990, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 660, condemning the invasion and demanding Iraq's immediate and unconditional withdrawal. The resolution also called for urgent negotiations and endorsed efforts by the League of Arab States to resolve the crisis. Following the resolution, Arab and international leaders convened in Saudi Arabia to form a coalition, which successfully liberated Kuwait in February 1991. Kuwait's longstanding reputation as a peaceful and generous nation since gaining independence helped garner widespread global support for its cause. Today, as the country reflects on its past, it also honors the resilience of its people, the sacrifices made by countless individuals, and the enduring value of international unity in the face of aggression.
Kuwait Times
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Cabinet recalls with bitterness Iraq's occupation of Kuwait
KUWAIT: Kuwait's Cabinet has recalled with resentment the Iraqi occupation of the country on 2nd August 1990, and expressed pride of the national heroes who sacrificed their lives to defend their homeland. The Cabinet, in its weekly meeting held Tuesday at Bayan Palace and headed by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, highly appreciated the unforgettable roles of the late Amirs; Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, in ending the Iraqi occupation and fully liberate Kuwait. The Cabinet remembered with admiration the Kuwaiti people's unity, steadfastness and heroic sacrifices to repel the enemies and defend their dear homeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shereeda Al-Mousherji said in a statement after the recalled with pride the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for their country's liberation. The Cabinet thanked all friendly countries, which participated in the liberation of Kuwait from the Iraqi occupation. — KUNA
Arab Times
02-06-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
40 Years Same Price: Kuwait's Timeless 100-Fils Falafel Sandwich
KUWAIT CITY, Jun 2: In a country of gleaming towers and booming oil revenues, a humble 100-fils falafel sandwich continues to quietly tell a story of compassion, dignity, and policy with purpose. Since 1984, a decree No. 44/1984 was issued in Kuwait under the direction of the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, not for oil, infrastructure, or defense, but for falafel. The Amir's directive mandated that the price of a falafel sandwich remain fixed at 100 fils (about $0.33), ensuring that the nation's poorest residents would always have access to an affordable, filling meal. At first glance, a falafel sandwich may seem insignificant in the wider scope of economic policy. But for tens of thousands of low-wage earners in Kuwait, many earning less than two dinars a day, that sandwich can mean the difference between hunger and sustenance. These workers, who often juggle the burdens of rent, remittances, and survival, rely on such basic food items to get through each day. While some eateries have slightly reduced the size of the falafel or the sandwich over the years to maintain margins, the price tag remains unchanged. And this is not by chance. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through its Customer Protection Department, continues to actively enforce the 1984 decree. Inspectors routinely visit restaurants to verify compliance and have issued numerous fines to violators attempting to raise prices. "The law is still enforced," one inspector told Arab Times. 'If anyone sees a restaurant charging more, they should report it. We will take action.' More than just a cheap meal, the 100-fils falafel represents Kuwait's social conscience—an enduring symbol of a leadership philosophy that prioritized the basic dignity of all residents, regardless of income. In a time when global food prices are rising sharply, Kuwait's unwavering commitment to this modest sandwich offers a rare and powerful example of policy rooted in humanity. Bread (Khubz) at 50 Fils: State-Baked and Subsidized Another cornerstone of Kuwait's food strategy is bread, produced largely by the Kuwait Flour Mills & Bakeries Company (KFMB)—a state-owned enterprise. KFMB supplies Arabic bread (khubz) and other bakery items at prices unchanged for decades. A packet of five khubz still costs just 50 fils, with the government subsidizing flour to ensure bakeries can maintain low prices without sacrificing quality. Ration Cards and Essential Commodities Beyond bakeries and sandwich stands, Kuwait's subsidy net extends to household staples. Rice, sugar, flour, powdered milk, lentils, cooking oil, and infant formula are distributed to Kuwaiti families via a ration card system, ensuring affordability even during periods of international food price spikes. In 2023 alone, the government allocated KD 386 million for subsidies, 37.5% of which went toward basic food items. This proactive financial commitment reflects the state's desire to cushion citizens from the inflationary effects of global shipping bottlenecks, conflict-driven shortages, and currency fluctuations. Inflation Bites—But Not Without a Fight Despite these efforts, 2024 has seen food prices in Kuwait rise by 25–30% for many imported goods, according to local market reports. The increase has been largely attributed to rising freight costs and global instability. To counteract unjustified pricing, Kuwait's Ministry of Commerce and Industry has taken a hardline stance: suppliers are prohibited from raising prices on essential food items without prior approval, and cooperative societies are required to maintain standard pricing levels across the board. 'We're seeing price controls not just as emergency measures but as part of a larger philosophy,' said a representative from a local co-op union. 'The idea is to protect both citizens and long-term economic stability.' A Social Model Worth Noticing While some may argue that such policies aren't scalable or sustainable elsewhere, Kuwait's approach offers a unique model of resilience through regulation. Anecdotal evidence even suggests some school cafeteria staples have seen price increases of just 50 fils over the past 15 years, underscoring a national culture of moderation in food pricing. At a time when other nations are struggling to keep supermarket shelves affordable, Kuwait is preserving a decades-old promise: that a meal—or at least a sandwich—will always be within reach of every pocket.
