(MENAFN- Arab Times) Kuwaiti priest, Rev Immanuel Ghareeb, of the National Evangelical Church of Kuwait, affirms Kuwaitis of all social segments will remain united with compassion and close ties permanently. In an exclusive interview with KUNA, Rev Ghareeb said the national unity and close ties among the natives was manifested crystal-clear when the terrorist bombing targeted Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque in downtown Kuwait last month.
The Kuwaitis, since establishment of the State, have lived together in peace. "History testifies that our homeland has been open and tolerant," he said affirming that the Kuwaitis respect the others'opinions. Kuwaiti Christians and Muslims, since a long time ago, have maintained cordial relations, observing each others' traditions and trading congratulations on occasions and Eids. Recalling the old times, Rev Ghareeb said residents of "Al- Fereej," (local term for neighborhood), "lived like a single family. We had all played in a single soccer team and studied in the same classroom without discrimination. "Our fathers used to meet at the diwaniahs holding conversations on public affairs." Adiwaniah in Kuwait is a special chamber where Kuwaitis regularly gather discussing issues of common and public concern.
Many citizens have built diwaniahs adjacent to their residences. Rev Ghareeb noted necessity that the patriotic sentiments that appeared after the bombing on June 26 be maintained, noting that the incident prompted the whole people to demonstrate solidarity, while the top leader, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah, spontaneously hurried to the scene only minutes after the explosion to express his personal care for the victims. "These are my children," the term uttered by His Highness the Amir upon seeing the injured would live forever.
His Highness the Amir's stand and his words assured families of the victims and soothed pain of the injured, said father Ghareeb, alluding to the unprecedented situation when the tearful and distressed Amir appeared at the scene without the regular guarding. Rev Ghareeb said, during that day, he along with a number of church leaders and ordinary Christians donated blood for the victims.
"That was spontaneous act but it depicted the national unity that bonds the Kuwaiti people." The top cleric of the local Anglican Church condemned the explosion that claimed 26 lives, indicating that it prompted him to remember times of the 1990 Iraqi aggression when the Kuwaitis united in the face of the occupiers.
On Kuwait's philanthropic activities, the priest said Kuwait earned the UN title "Humanitarian Center" - and designating His Highness the Amir as the "Humanitarian Leader" - due to its generous aid for peoples in need for support, noting that this approach has been adopted since 1961 when the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development was founded. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Interior for protecting worship places, mosques and churches, and thanked the MoI for clamping down on the clandestine cell behind the deadly bombing.
He also praised instructions by His Highness the Amir to dispatch those with serious injuries to hospitals in foreign countries. The Kuwaiti citizens, Muslims and Christians, enjoy full rights, such as the right to education, work and scholarships. The Kuwaiti Christians who belong to nine families practice their religious rituals freely, he affirmed. However, he indicated that due to the current security situation, there are certain extraordinary security precautions around the churches.
Print Friendly
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.