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Kuwait Times
20 hours ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Zain Summer Program continues empowering youth in Kuwait
KUWAIT: Participants in the sixth edition of Zain's Summer Program continue their hands-on training journey across diverse work environments. The program remains focused on equipping them with practical skills and real-world experience to prepare them for the job market, all within a professional setting that mirrors the fast-paced private sector. Recently, the students took part in an inspiring media experience, where they learned about the strategies and challenges of modern media and how to deliver messages creatively and artistically. The session featured Director Ya'arub Bourahma and young content creator Aws Ya'arub Bourahma, who shared their personal stories and valuable insights in media and content creation. As part of its efforts to strengthen bonds and team spirit among the participants, Zain organized side entertainment activities such as kart racing and a shooting competition. These events were filled with excitement and friendly competition, providing an ideal opportunity to foster a lively atmosphere and deepen connections among the participants. The students are currently undergoing practical training across three main tracks: Zain's branches, media institutions Kuwait News and Kuwait Times, and a newly introduced operational and technical track with the program's partner V-Thru. Participants are engaged in diverse fields including customer service, sales, digital marketing, content creation, journalism and logistics. A total of 35 university students from various academic backgrounds are participating in the program, working part-time at their assigned placements through intensive tracks designed to hone their personal and professional skills, develop their leadership capabilities, and offer them real-world experiences aligned with the fast-evolving digital job market. The Zain Summer Program is one of the company's leading sustainable community initiatives, launched under the Future University Network – FUN platform. Year after year, it continues to provide real and inspiring opportunities to help shape a conscious and qualified generation of young national talent. Over the course of six successful seasons, the program has trained more than 220 students, contributing to the preparation of a creative and work-ready generation for the labor market.
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Kuwait Times
The courage to choose passion over tradition
By Haneen Abdulwahab Groof 'There is no passion to be found in playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living,' said Nelson Mandela. In a typical Kuwaiti household, the number of acceptable majors you can study can often be counted on one hand. Despite the progress we've made as a society, the idea that you can pursue a career that brings both stability and passion still feels foreign. The belief that financial success outweighs personal fulfillment continues to dominate. And while money undeniably matters in the real world, its value begins to fade when your life satisfaction starts to decline. Three individuals who veered far from their university degrees to pursue unexpected careers say the decision wasn't easy—but it was worth it. In interviews, they shared how chasing passion over convention led them down unpredictable paths. Still, a common thread ran through each story: They have no regrets. Zainab Dashti, an architectural engineer turned content creator at Kuwait Times, summed it up perfectly: 'It is not a choice not to pursue what you love. Take a leap of faith—you have to. You have to take the jump and try.' True to her words, Dashti took that leap, leaving behind a stable career in engineering to follow her passion for film and storytelling. Similarly, Shabana Dada studied marketing at university, but today she works as a driving instructor, teaching girls how to drive the vehicles of their choice. When asked why she chose marketing, she said, 'It was out of spite. People told me not to do it. They said it wasn't for me—it wasn't for girls.' That defiance motivated her at the time, but with time, she realized her true passion was in cars and mentorship. She reflected, 'You come into this world alone. You're going to leave this world alone. If you don't live it for yourself, who are you going to live it for? Yes, there is family, there is society—but there is always a way to do what you love. And there is definitely more than one way to go about it.' We each live an individual life shaped by our own choices. Every morning, we decide what to wear, where to go, what to do. Being your most authentic self—choosing to follow your dreams—is just another decision. A difficult one, yes. But a decision nonetheless. Omar Al-Nakib, who chose to do just that, quoted philosopher Henry David Thoreau: 'Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.' He explained that many people are pressured into living lives they never truly wanted. In a society that often favors conformity, breaking away from expectations is daunting. But some do find the courage to escape the labyrinth. Only those willing to take the risk will discover a life of true purpose. The rest will sit silently on the sidelines, watching as their lives pass them by. Chasing your dreams isn't easy—it's scary, uncertain, and often unstable. But when compared to the alternative—living an ordinary life you never chose—it becomes the only logical option. The pain of passion is a stepping stone to greatness. The numbness of a mundane life is a ghost that haunts. In the end, it's a choice: happiness or regret. So sometimes ... you just need to jump and trust that your dream will catch you. Only then will fulfillment find you.
Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Amber dreams
From prayer to prestige, Kuwait's enduring love for the mesbah has turned beads into symbols of culture, craftsmanship - and serious investment By Fahad AlSayegh In Kuwait and across the Arabian Gulf, beads - or as they're commonly called, mesbah - carry layered meanings. Often used for religious devotion, especially in tasbeeh (Islamic prayer recitation), the mesbah also serves as a fashion statement and a mark of prestige. Generations of Kuwaitis have held on to their mesbah not just as a spiritual tool, but as a personal talisman, companion and cultural emblem. Today, it's not unusual to see elders, adults, teenagers - even young children - clutching their beads in shopping malls, mosques or coffee shops. It has become more than a tradition - it's a cornerstone of Kuwaiti identity. For over 120,000 years, humans have threaded stories through beads - tiny seashells, stones, seeds, or bits of glass transformed into something more. In North Africa and the Middle East, some of the oldest beads ever discovered serve as evidence that the art of beadmaking is among the earliest forms of human adornment. As our ancestors spread across the globe, they left behind trails of beads - each one a symbol of beauty, meaning and personal identity. According to the Museum of Natural and Cultural History, beads are more than decoration - they reflect culture, individual aesthetics and the human desire to create and express. Over time, what began as a spiritual practice has blossomed into a booming market. In Kuwait, bead collecting has evolved into a lucrative hobby, with collectors buying, selling and trading high-value beads - especially the sought-after amber beads, known locally as kahrab. This rise in popularity has sparked a question: Is Kuwait the number one country in the Gulf when it comes to beads? To explore the answer, Kuwait Times visited one of the country's shopping malls, speaking to collectors, sellers and bead enthusiasts. 'Of course, it's number one,' said Majed Almutairi, a long-time customer at a renowned bead shop. 'Kuwait is the origin of beads in the Gulf. It has a long history in this field and is distinguished by the quality of its materials - whether it's old manufactured beads or amber.' Khaled Alansari, who runs an online shop dedicated to selling beads, agreed wholeheartedly. 'Kuwait is definitely number one, without a doubt. Beads have been part of our culture for a long time, especially since we're Muslims and we use them frequently for tasbeeh. Also, here, the mesbah is considered a symbol of elegance and a traditional accessory for men.' But perhaps the most passionate advocate for Kuwait's place at the top of the beads market is Hilal Algaoud, a beads expert working at a prestigious shop. 'Not only among Gulf countries - Kuwait is currently number one in the world, especially when it comes to amber,' he said. 'The first people who became passionate about amber were the Kuwaitis. Since the 1960s, Kuwaitis were the first to bring in amber; others followed. Kuwait is the amber capital of the world.' He added that while other Gulf countries might specialize in different materials - like mastik or faturan - and the Levant is known for stones like turquoise, agate and coral, Kuwait remains unrivaled in its amber legacy. 'Other countries look up to us when it comes to kahrab,' he said. At Hilal's shop, he revealed, one particular set of amber beads once reached a bidding price of KD 90,000 - and still wasn't sold because the owner found the offer unsatisfactory. This leads to another compelling question: Why is kahrab so expensive? 'The passion for the hobby increases the value of the bead,' Majed explained. 'In addition to the stone's intrinsic worth, a bead made from rare amber is considered a form of saving or investment. You might even sell it for a higher price later.' Khaled added: 'The high price comes from the value of the stone itself, along with the cost of crafting and transforming it from raw material into a finished mesbah. Many also see it as a form of investment.' Hilal pointed to modern trends and market shifts as well: 'Prices are high because they've become a trend,' he said. 'COVID-19 made prices spike. For example, the price of amber used to be KD 3 per gram. After the pandemic, it shot up to KD 15 per gram!' With values rising steadily, many now wonder - could amber one day rival the value of gold? But beyond prices and markets, beads also carry deep personal stories. Many collectors trace their love for mesabeeh back to childhood. 'I used to sneak and steal amber beads from my father when I was a kid,' Majed laughed. 'One time, I took a rare amber mesbahah of the Macintosh type - and I lost it!' Khaled shared his initiation into bead culture through a family moment. 'My father gave me a mesbahah as a gift and said, 'Now you're a man, you should carry one.' That moment stayed with me, and since then, I've fallen in love with mesabeeh.' Hilal, too, found his inspiration close to home. 'I was influenced by my father and by growing up in the Kuwaiti community, where beads are a big part of our culture,' he said. In every bead lies a story - of heritage, pride and quiet luxury. For Kuwait, the mesbah is more than an accessory; it is a cultural compass, a handmade archive of personal and national history. As generations continue to pass the passion down, Kuwait's bead legacy - especially in amber - only grows more luminous, threading the past, present and future together in the warm glow of tradition.
Kuwait Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Art of patience and precision
Veteran Kuwaiti calligrapher Abdulamir Al-Bannai reflects on decades of devotion to Arabic calligraphy, offering insights, techniques and timeless advice for aspiring artists Kuwaiti calligrapher Abdulamir Al-Bannai has spent decades shaping the elegant curves of Arabic script into art. In a conversation with Kuwait Times, he shared insights from his extensive career and passion for calligraphy — a journey that began in childhood and continues to this day. Al-Bannai, who served as head of the calligraphy and drawing department at Kuwait Television in 2002, has contributed significantly to the presence of Arabic calligraphy on national television since 1978. Beyond his professional contributions, he is also an active member of several local and regional organizations dedicated to the preservation and advancement of Arabic calligraphy. A journey rooted in curiosity 'My calligraphy journey started in elementary school,' he recalled. 'My Arabic teacher had a very beautiful handwriting style. I used to imitate it, and he encouraged me by writing notes like 'Thank you for this beautiful line' in my notebook. That motivated me and improved my drawing skills, as I tried to replicate the letters exactly as I saw them.' As he grew older, Al-Bannai would frequent calligraphy shops, observing the work of experienced calligraphers to absorb their techniques — even if just by watching. Abdulamir Al-Bannai Jali Diwani: A signature style Of the many traditional Arabic scripts, Al-Bannai holds a particular fondness for the Jali Diwani style, which he has mastered and frequently uses in exhibitions. 'Jali Diwani is my favorite,' he said. 'It evolved from the Diwani script during the late 16th century under the Ottomans. While it shares the Diwani script's hallmark of rounded, overlapping letters, Jali Diwani is distinguished by its ornate, decorative marks that fill the spaces between characters.' This elaborate script demands not only technical skill but also an artistic eye for balance and composition — qualities that Al-Bannai has refined through years of practice. Advice for aspiring calligraphers Al-Bannai encourages emerging artists to study the works of master calligraphers and to remain committed to continuous practice. 'Calligraphy requires patience,' he emphasized. 'Whoever doesn't have patience cannot become a calligrapher.' He advises beginners to start with simpler scripts, which help build hand control and spatial awareness. 'It's important to understand dimensions and flexibility, and to use good materials — like high-quality pens, soft polished paper and silk threads placed in the inkwell circle.' But technical skill alone isn't enough, he adds. Selecting meaningful phrases and wise sayings to write is also part of the artistry. 'Keep your writings, and revisit them over the years to see how you've developed,' he said. With his decades of dedication, Al-Bannai exemplifies how Arabic calligraphy is more than a craft — it is a lifelong artistic pursuit rooted in culture, discipline and deep personal expression.
Kuwait Times
19-07-2025
- General
- Kuwait Times
Stitching solidarity
Women across Kuwait have embraced tatreez — a centuries-old nPalestinian craft — as an act of remembrance, resistance and connection By Leena Alsuwaidan uring the pandemic lockdowns, as routines dissolved and isolation set in, a quiet cultural revival began in living rooms across Kuwait. Among those drawn to it were my mother, Mariam Baghdady, and her close friend, who found not just a hobby but a purpose in a centuries-old Palestinian tradition: Tatreez, the art of embroidery. They joined an online class hosted by Wafa Ghnaim called Tatreez and Tea, dedicated to teaching traditional Palestinian embroidery and the history embedded within it. What began as a weekly stitching session quickly evolved into something deeper. Participants weren't simply copying patterns — they were also learning their meanings, origins and the symbolism behind each motif. Certain shapes represented villages, colors reflected regional identities and lines carried legacies. Each stitch was part of a larger story passed down through generations. In a time when Palestinian identity is often politicized or erased, embroidery has emerged as a powerful act of cultural resistance and remembrance — especially for women in the diaspora. Tatreez is more than a craft; it's a living archive, a way of remembering, honoring and holding onto a homeland that exists more in memory than on any map. Palestine Map made with Tatreez Cross Stitch Embroidery Vector Art isolated on white Tatreez, decorative Palestinian embroidery symbol Kuwait Times asked Baghdady why practicing tatreez is important to her. 'Even though I am not Palestinian, I feel connected to these women and hope that I can contribute to the preservation of this art and pass it on to the next generation,' she said. Kuwait Times also spoke with Montaha Alsuwaidan, another participant in the sessions. When asked about a moment that stayed with her, she shared: 'The moment that stayed with me was when she explained the Biyut pattern. I never knew it actually represented something real, like an aerial view of the neighborhood. It made me realize that whether you look at tatreez from close or far, it's one big, beautiful story.' Here in Kuwait, the tradition has taken root in new and unexpected ways. Small groups of women — Palestinian, Arab or simply connected to the cause — are gathering to learn the stitches and the stories behind them. For my mother, joining the class was an act of cultural solidarity and learning. With each needle pulled through cloth, she wasn't just practicing a new skill — she was engaging in an act of remembrance, care and respect. The revival of Palestinian embroidery here reflects more than artistic interest. This movement is not confined to a single class or space. Organizations like the Women's Cultural and Social Society (WCSS) have hosted tatreez workshops in collaboration with local Palestinian activists. Cultural hubs like Bayt Lothan have included embroidery exhibitions and storytelling sessions to deepen public understanding. Even informal stitching circles have sprung up in homes, cafés and cultural centers — offering women a way to gather, share and resist quietly and consistently. These embroidery circles are forming quiet but meaningful communities. They connect women across generations and backgrounds through shared stories and steady hands. While the world rushes forward, tatreez asks its practitioners to slow down, to sit, to stitch, to remember. When asked why embroidery became so meaningful to women in Kuwait during that time, Alsuwaidan reflected: 'Because handcrafts were always how women expressed themselves when they didn't have a voice. And now maybe it's fading because women are finally being heard more.' In Kuwait, the revival of Palestinian embroidery is more than a cultural trend — it's a testament to survival. One stitch at a time, women are keeping Palestine alive — not only on fabric, but in memory and spirit.
