Thursday, July 11, 2024
KRCS field hospital in Gaza receives critical cases
Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) field hospital in Gaza received a number of injured and critical cases, although it has not been declared open and operating due to the state of emergency amid threats by Zionist occupation’s army targeting neighboring hospitals. Medical Director of KRCS field hospital Dr Anwar Al-Gharra said in a press statement to KUNA on Wednesday that the hospital, which had been kept shut after establishment, received a number of such cases in response to distress calls from several nearby hospitals in the Al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis.
Al-Gharra added that the occupation forces targeted a number of hospitals in Gaza and its health system as most hospitals went out of service. He expressed hope that the field hospital’s services would contribute to alleviating the suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip in the difficult conditions they are facing, including a severe shortage of materials, medicines, and medical and health supplies.
He also extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to Kuwait, His Highness the Amir, the government, and the people for their role in helping to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza, praising the role of the KRCS for providing humanitarian aid and its distinguished cooperation with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. For his part, Director of Health Programs at the Palestinian Red Crescent Society Dr Bashar Murad said that KRCS hospital is considered the best field hospital in Gaza Strip in terms of equipment.
KRCS field hospital is located on an area of 750 square meters, equipped with the latest medical devices and equipment, including operating and intensive care rooms, in addition to incubators for newborns, a radiology unit, a pharmacy, and a medical analysis laboratory that contains the necessary equipment to conduct various types of medical examinations. — KUNA
Three ministers discuss bolstering cooperation for serving families
KUWAIT: Three Kuwaiti ministers held a meeting on Monday to bolster cooperation for serving families and children. The meeting was attended by Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah, Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi, and Minister of Justice, Endowments, and Islamic Affairs Dr Mohammad Al-Wasmi, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs.
The meeting focused on exploring means and tools to better serve and protect families and children, the statement added. The ministers also suggested forming a joint team to study aspects of cooperation to achieve this goal and boost social stability and security. The move is part of the social and humanitarian role of state institutions and their efforts to achieve public interests, it concluded. — KUNA
UN Refugee Agency and Namaa sign a health assistance agreement in Lebanon.
Speaking about Namaa Charitable Association's efforts with the Social Reform Association in Lebanon, Arefa expressed deep appreciation for the diligent and continuous work of the association, noting that these efforts are highly appreciated. He thanked the State of Kuwait for this humanitarian initiative, which is part of an agreement aimed at supporting Syrian refugees in Lebanon, where they make up a third of the population.
Arefa emphasized that our true religion encourages social solidarity, and international law calls for burden sharing. He pointed out that this initiative is not the first from Namaa Charitable Association and the Social Reform Association in Lebanon, where the association seeks to alleviate the burdens on displaced persons and Lebanese citizens.
Arefa concluded his statement by expressing gratitude to the State of Kuwait and all relevant parties for their great and ongoing efforts in supporting Lebanon and its people, affirming that these efforts reflect the noble humanitarian spirit embodied by the Kuwaiti leadership.
Saad Marzouq Al-Atibi, President of the Union of Charitable Associations and Foundations, welcomed the new agreement to provide necessary assistance and support secondary healthcare referrals for Syrian refugees in Lebanon. This initiative also includes providing supported primary healthcare consultations for refugees and host communities.
Al-Atibi stated that the agreement would greatly improve the quality of life for Syrian refugees and host communities in Lebanon, reflecting their continuous commitment to humanitarian support in the face of the most challenging circumstances.
He added that they are working hard to unify the efforts of charitable associations and foundations under one umbrella to provide the most effective and comprehensive support. Their cooperation with local and international partners reflects their determination to address humanitarian challenges with a spirit of solidarity and participation.
Al-Atibi explained that Kuwait has played a central role in addressing regional issues for decades under the guidance of His Highness the Amir of the State, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. He highlighted Kuwait's commitment to being at the forefront of diplomatic and political initiatives to resolve conflicts and promote peace and stability in the region.
In addition, Kuwait is committed to providing humanitarian and relief support to sisterly and friendly countries facing humanitarian crises, whether through financial or logistical assistance or by activating the role of its various charitable organizations. Kuwait also considers itself an active member of regional and international organizations, always seeking to enhance cooperation and coordination between countries to achieve security and prosperity for all.
At the end of his statement, Al-Otaibi stressed the importance of continuing support and cooperation between various parties to achieve the goals of this agreement and have a sustainable impact on the lives of refugees and host communities.
On his part, the Head of the Communication and Information Technology Sector at Namat Charitable Abdulaziz Al-Kandari said: "This agreement embodies our serious and shared commitment to improving the conditions of refugees and host communities and supporting them in this critical period. We realize the importance of this step for the most vulnerable groups in our society, and we intend to make every possible effort to achieve the specified goals in this agreement."
Al-Kandari continued that the cooperation between Namat Charitable, the Social Reform Association, and the UN Refugee Agency is an example of how collective work can achieve goodness and generosity in the world.
He explained that Namat Charitable is working hard to assist in a variety of fields to support people and improve their quality of life.
In 2023, Lebanon witnessed further deterioration in the social and economic situation with increased pressure on resources and infrastructure, the suffering of public institutions, and increased barriers to accessing basic services and assistance due to inflation, rising fuel prices, weak communication services, and power shortages.
These factors continue to exacerbate the challenges facing the most vulnerable groups such as the elderly, families supported by women, and people with disabilities.
The support provided by the agency for primary healthcare in Lebanon includes many essential services, such as supporting consultation fees, laboratory tests for critical cases, maternal and child health services, non-communicable diseases services, as well as providing immunization, and free medication services, in addition to a health awareness programs inside healthcare facilities and in the community.
Outstanding Achievement Institute ends "Rights and Duties of the New Employee" training for Zakat House.
The Outstanding Achievement Institute for Civil Training concluded its training program "Rights and Duties of the New Employee" for the employees of the Zakat House, which was held from June 30 to July 4, 2024.
Dr. Shihab Al-Othman, Chairman of the Institute's Board of Directors, stated that this program is part of Zakat House's annual training plan to prepare new employees for the tasks they will be assigned, with the overall goal of enhancing the general efficiency of the employee in all areas of work, emphasizing their responsibilities towards their job and their legal rights to ensure the smooth running of operations, and linking it to loyalty and professional affiliation to improve performance and work quality.
He added that the training objectives of the program include: familiarizing employees with the systems and laws of civil service related to the career path of state employees, understanding the concept of social insurance law, determining the rights and duties of the employee as per Kuwaiti law, as well as knowing the categories covered by the social insurance system in Kuwait, in addition to familiarizing them with the regulations and provisions of the civil service system.
Dr. Al-Othman mentioned that the program included a comprehensive explanation of the organizational regulations for Zakat House employees, and covered several training topics that contribute to developing knowledge of the rights and duties of the new employee, including a general introduction to official work regulations and provisions, an understanding of civil service law and its importance, recent amendments and their relationship to the government's work program, official working hours, employee leaves, and other relevant provisions with practical applications.
He emphasized that the program was led by an expert specialist from distinguished national competencies, and was attended by male and female employees representing all departments of the Zakat House. The program lasted for 5 training days, during which the trainees absorbed all the program objectives and topics covered.
In conclusion, Dr. Al-Othman expressed his thanks and appreciation to the management of Zakat House, especially the Human Resources department, for selecting distinguished programs that contribute to honing and developing the skills of employees, increasing loyalty and affiliation to the institution they work for, in addition to familiarizing new employees with their rights and duties. He also thanked and appreciated the outstanding supervision and all participants for their diligence, commitment, and interaction with the program topics, which had a significant impact on the program's success and achieving its objectives.
Kuwaiti Novelist Wins the Ghassan Kanafani Award for Arabic Novel for the Year 2024
Kuwaiti novelist Abdullah Al-Husseini won the Ghassan Kanafani Award for Arabic Novel in its third edition, which was announced last Monday, for his novel "The Remaining Tattoo", published by Takhayyal Publications in Kuwait in 2022.
Five novels made it to the shortlist of this year's edition, announced by the Palestinian Ministry of Culture in June, including works from Egypt, Tunisia, Oman, Kuwait, and the Palestinian territories.
The judging committee for the prize this year was formed under the chairmanship of the Moroccan critic and novelist Ahmed Medini, with the membership of the Jordanian novelist Samahe Khreis, the Egyptian critic Mohamed El-Shahat, the writer Ziad Abu-Laban, and the critic Riyad Kamel from Palestine.
Committee member Riyad Kamel said: "The winning novel is characterized by strong and coherent writing, and a distinctive ability of a young novelist, still at the age of 24, who excelled in portraying characters and constructing them firmly, harmonizing with the time and place, reminding us of our great writer Ghassan Kanafani, who left us at an early age."
The Palestinian Ministry of Culture recently announced the novels that made it to the long list, which included 14 novels by authors from 10 Arab countries, followed by the announcement of the novels that made it to the shortlist, which included 5 novels.
The announced novels are "2067" by the Egyptian novelist Saad El-Qarsh, "A Necessary Pain" by the Palestinian novelist Abdullah Taih, "The Remaining Tattoo" by the Kuwaiti novelist Abdullah Al-Husseini, "The Imam's Spring" by the Omani novelist Mohamed Saif Al-Rahbi, and "Barlatras" by the Tunisian novelist Nasr Sami.
The Palestinian Ministry of Culture launched the award in 2022, on the fiftieth anniversary of the assassination of Ghassan Kanafani (1936-1972), which was previously won by the Egyptian Amr Hussein and the Syrian Magyra Al-Hawidi.
Ghassan Kanafani was deeply immersed in the Palestinian cause until it became a part of his identity. He expressed his deep love for Palestine and defended it by saying: "We have a cause we fight for, and that is too much." He added, "The Palestinian people prefer death standing rather than losing their cause. This people will continue to fight until victory, and will never be defeated."
Kanafani, the Palestinian novelist, short story writer, and journalist, was assassinated by the Israeli Mossad on July 8, 1972, at the age of 36. His car was bombed in the Hazmiyeh area near Beirut, killing his 19-year-old niece Lamis. Kanafani was a member of the Political Bureau of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
The Prime Minister of the occupation at that time, Golda Meir, commented on the assassination by saying: "Today we got rid of an armed intellectual brigade, as Ghassan with his pen posed a greater threat to 'Israel' than a thousand armed militants." Meir had issued a decision that year to eliminate many prominent Palestinian leaders.
On the anniversary of his assassination, Palestinians remember Kanafani's writings, ideas, and sacrifices, affirming the continuation of the path he started and passing on his writings and works that have been a source of inspiration for generations.
Kanafani expressed the achievement of the Palestinian people by saying: "We have told the world that we are a small and brave people, and we will fight until the last drop of blood to bring justice to us after the world failed to do so." He described the peace talks with 'Israel' as "surrender" and talking to the occupation leaders as "a conversation between the sword and the neck."
Kanafani carried the revolutionary thought and expressed it through literature, media, and politics. He conveyed his voice by teaching refugees in the camps, through novels and books, and in his articles published in "Al-Ra'i" magazine affiliated with the Arab nationalists movement, and "Al-Hadaf" magazine speaking on behalf of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Kanafani mainly wrote about Palestinian liberation issues.
He was beloved by all Palestinian factions, and had a large popular base. He always called for sticking to the Palestinian cause, saying: "Ultimately, a human being is a cause; if we are unsuccessful defenders of the cause, it is more fitting for us to change the defenders, not the cause."
In 1948, Kanafani and his family were forced to flee and witnessed the Nakba in his childhood. They escaped on foot and lived in Syria, then in Lebanon where he obtained Lebanese citizenship. He completed his secondary education in Damascus and obtained the Syrian secondary certificate in 1952. In the same year, he joined the Faculty of Arabic Literature at Damascus University and presented a thesis titled "Race and Religion in Zionist Literature".
He discontinued his studies at the end of the second year and joined the Arab nationalist movement. He moved to Kuwait where he worked in elementary education, then moved to Beirut to work for the magazine "Al-Hurriya" as head of the cultural section, then became the editor-in-chief of the Lebanese newspaper "Al-Muharrir", where he issued a "Palestine Supplement". He later moved to work for the Lebanese newspaper "Al-Anwar". When the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine was founded in 1967, he established the magazine "Al-Hadaf" in its name and became its official spokesperson.
His literary production was interactive with his life and the lives of people. In his novel "Returning to Haifa", he described the journey of Haifa citizens to Akka, which he experienced as a child. In "Men in the Sun", Kanafani derived inspiration from his life and the lives of Palestinians in Kuwait, depicting his return to Damascus through the desert, portraying the plight of Palestinians and the transformation of their cause into a matter of survival.
Kanafani left behind three unfinished novels published after his martyrdom: "The Lover", "The Blind and the Deaf", and "Apricot Blossom". He also left important studies such as "Resistance Literature in Palestine", "Zionist Literature", and "Resistant Palestinian Literature".
After his assassination, Kanafani left behind his Danish wife who became an advocate for Palestine, and two children, Fayez and Leila.
"Al-Nouri Charitable Society" hosted a public food bank to support underprivileged groups in Kuwait.
The Sheikh Abdullah Al-Nouri Charitable Society implemented the food bank for the benefit of needy families with generous support from the General Secretariat of Awqaf.
Abdul Latif Alduwas, the Director of Resources and Media Sector at Al-Nouri Charitable Society, stated in a press release that the society implemented the public food bank through a well-planned strategy to assist widows, orphans, patients, and low-income individuals by providing them with basic food necessities. The goal was to alleviate their burdens, meet part of their daily needs, and promote solidarity and compassion within the community.
Alduwas mentioned that the society distributed food purchase coupons, in the presence of a representative from the General Secretariat of Awqaf, to 350 needy families with amounts of 40, 50, and 60 Kuwaiti Dinars based on the number of family members.
He emphasized that the society is dedicated to doing its utmost to help the needy, the poor, and those in need within Kuwait and beyond, guided by the principles of Islamic Sharia that encourage social solidarity among Muslims, strengthening bonds of love among them. Furthermore, activating the role of a Muslim towards their fellow Muslim, and striving to meet their needs due to the great virtue and reward associated with it.
Alduwas explained that Al-Nouri Charitable Society is keen on upholding accuracy and integrity in executing these projects, starting from studying social cases and sorting them in a short period, to supervising the project in all its aspects to achieve its goals.
In conclusion, Alduwas praised the fruitful and constructive cooperation between the society and the General Secretariat of Awqaf in implementing several charitable projects to assist needy and poor families in Kuwait. One of these projects is the public food bank, expressing gratitude to the General Secretariat for their continuous support for charitable and humanitarian projects and activities within and outside Kuwait, which significantly contributes to serving charitable work, supporting it, and ensuring its continuity.
