Saturday, July 4, 2015

We are One - Kuwait

We will Win the War on Terror

Last Friday 26th Jun 2015 we had experienced one of the worst terror attacks of all times in Kuwait. The attack by a suicide bomber killed 27 people and injured another 227. Around 2000 worshippers were praying in the mosque at the time of attack. It was a moment of sadness, grief and disbelieve for all. Many of us have always regarded Kuwait as one of the safest places to stay in the world, but this attack has changed all those equations forever.

ISIS has claimed responsibility of the attack on the 'Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq' Mosque which is one of the oldest mosques in Kuwait, located in the Sawabir district in Sharq area. The mosque is attended mainly by Shia Muslim worshippers.

On the brighter side... what this attack has done is that it has brought the Shia and Sunni communities in Kuwait more close to each other. People had poured in from all sectors whether it is for donating blood or paying the last tributes for the ones who lost their lives in this deadly attack. Also I have to make one special mention here - HH the Amir of Kuwait himself visited the blast site shortly after the attack against the advice of security officials. This goes to show his resolve to keep Kuwait united and safe.

I had been to the Blood Bank that evening since there was a sudden shortage in the blood reserves. I had anticipated some rush, since many would like to help. However, to my surprise the place was so jam packed that there wasn't any place to stand, let alone donate. I asked one the officials, he informed me that the quota for the day was full and I would have to come the next day. This only goes out to show that all Kuwaitis as well as expats had united at this point in crisis and not everything was bad after the blasts.

Saudi national Fahd Suliman Abdul-Muhsen al-Qabaa carried out Friday's atrocity in a Kuwait mosque. He had arrived to Kuwait the same day at dawn from Saudi via Bahrain. His family in Saudi was quick to declare that he had been disowned by the family due to his extremist ideology and sent cable of condolences to the families of the lost ones as well as Kuwaiti and Saudi government. I have my reservations towards such families as the upbringing of the children with good ideology and character lies primarily with the family followed by friends, colleagues etc. So, if the child of the family goes off-track its the responsibility of the family to get him back on-track. And if the family is not able to do so, then there could be a potential problem with the values and ideas of the family itself. Of Course there are always some exceptions but i bet the percentage is going to be very small.

"There is no life to be found in violence. Every act of violence brings us closer to death. Whether it's the mundane violence we do to our bodies by overeating toxic food or drink or the extreme violence of child abuse, domestic warfare, life-threatening poverty, addiction, or state terrorism." - Bell Hooks