Kuwait in a Week

 

Kuwait Celebrates 64th National Day and 34th Liberation Day

Kuwait University held celebrations for the 64th anniversary of the National Day and the 34th anniversary of the Liberation Day of Kuwait on its campus on Wednesday, February 19th, to preserve the sense of belonging to our country.

Dr. Dina Al-Mailem Emphasizes National Pride

Dr. Dina Al-Mailem, President of Kuwait University, kicked off the events with a speech highlighting the importance of celebrating national holidays. “This occasion is dear to our hearts, as it carries the meanings of pride and sense of belonging to this cherished country and embodies the cohesion of the Kuwaiti people as well as their sacrifices,” Dr. Al-Mailem said.

Honoring Kuwait's History and Achievements

”On this National Day, we celebrate our beloved homeland and proudly recall its ancient history and remarkable achievements while recognizing our role and responsibilities in building the future of this country and elevating its status. We emphasize the role of youth in the nation’s prosperity, as they are its heartbeat and main pillar. By equipping ourselves with science and knowledge, we achieve its renaissance, and through creativity and innovation, we outline the features of the future,” she added.

Role of Youth in Nation's Future Emphasized

She stated that love for the homeland is reflected in sincere work and effective participation in development and preserving its resources: “Every effort we exert and every dream we strive to achieve is a brick in constructing a stronger and more beautiful homeland. So, let us be proud of this country and make its banner shine among the nations,” she added.

National Role of Kuwait University Affirmed

Kuwait University was keen to organize this celebration to affirm its national role as a key partner in building a national society and a major contributor to preparing national cadres to lead the development movement in the country, as honor truly belongs to this nation and achieving its aspirations.

Support from Leadership Acknowledged

“We are proud of the patronage of the wise leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah for their continuous support of Kuwait University, enabling it to be a stimulating educational environment for creativity,” she said, believing that the strength of the country lies in its scientific progress and investment in its youth.

Mariam Al-Refaei's Academic Achievements Celebrated

A speech was also delivered by Mariam Al-Refaei, a graduate of the College of Engineering and Petroleum at Kuwait University, who ranked second among the top ten civil engineering students in the world according to the American Society of Civil Engineers, making her the first Kuwaiti and Gulf national to achieve this distinction. She expressed her gratitude to Kuwait for the opportunities that facilitated her reaching this level.

Poetry and Music Performances

Dr. Hussain Al-Ansari, a professor at the College of Social Sciences and former director of Kuwait University, also gave a speech and recited some of his poetry in honor of Kuwait. The celebrations also featured musical performances, including the famous Arabic sword dance, the Ardha, an oud performance of national songs, and numerous booths organized by various departments at Kuwait University.

Intensive and Diverse Activities of Nama Charity:

Nama Charity's New Health Projects for MS and Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Initiative and Partnership

Nama Charity, in partnership with the General Secretariat of Awqaf, announced the launch of several health projects aimed at providing treatment for underprivileged patients. This initiative is funded by the Department of Endowment Funds at the General Secretariat of Awqaf (the Endowment Fund for Health Development), in accordance with the stipulations set forth in the endowment deeds, and it reflects Nama Charity's role in achieving social solidarity and enhancing healthcare for vulnerable groups within Kuwait.

Project Details

In this regard, the Director of Public Relations at Nama Charity, Walid Ahmed Al-Kandari, confirmed that these projects target supporting patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) and rheumatoid arthritis, both of which are among the most costly diseases to treat. He pointed out that many cases struggle to access medications due to high prices, making this project a humanitarian and societal necessity.

Nama Charity's Vision and Goals

Al-Kandari explained that Nama Charity is working to localize charitable and humanitarian work by providing health, educational, and relief services within Kuwait, which contributes to enhancing the role of national institutions in supporting needy groups and achieving sustainability in delivering humanitarian services. He noted that these projects are part of Nama's vision to provide practical solutions that enhance patients' ability to receive treatment without financial burdens.

Alignment with Kuwait's Vision 2035

He added that this initiative aligns with Kuwait’s Vision 2035, which aims to develop health services and improve the quality of life for citizens and residents by supporting projects that provide medical treatment and care for those in need. He emphasized that investing in people's health is an investment in the future of the community, as these projects help to reduce health and economic burdens on vulnerable families.

Sustainable Development Goals

Al-Kandari pointed out that the health projects implemented by Nama Charity in partnership with the General Secretariat of Awqaf are part of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the third goal, which states that everyone should enjoy healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Long-term Impact and Sustainability

He explained that these efforts aim to reduce chronic disease rates, improve quality of life, and provide a sustainable healthy environment for the community, in line with local and international efforts to support the health sector.

Strategic Partnership

Al-Kandari stressed that the strategic partnership between Nama Charity and the General Secretariat of Awqaf reflects the commitment of both institutions to provide sustainable quality programs that meet the needs of the most vulnerable groups. He mentioned that this partnership extends to multiple areas, including education, health, and social welfare, to ensure a positive and sustainable impact on the community.

Call to Action

He concluded his statement by emphasizing that Nama Charity continues to provide its health and development projects, believing in the importance of supporting needy patients and alleviating their suffering, calling on everyone to contribute to supporting such humanitarian initiatives, which reflect the values of giving and solidarity rooted in Kuwaiti society.

Nama Charity Supports 1,000 Students through the "Teach Me and You Will Be Rewarded" Project

Commitment to Education

In a move that reflects its deep commitment to supporting the educational process and assisting underprivileged students, Nama Charity, affiliated with the Social Reform Society, announced the success of the "Teach Me and You Will Be Rewarded" project in enabling 1,000 students to complete their studies during the 2024-2025 academic year.

Project Collaboration

This project came in cooperation with the General Secretariat of Awqaf, represented by the Endowment Fund for Scientific and Social Development, in accordance with the terms set by the endowers as stated in the endowment deeds.

Comprehensive Support

In this context, the Head of the Projects and Development Sector at Nama Charity, Mr. Walid Al-Bassam, confirmed that the project is not limited to providing financial support to students but aims to reduce the phenomenon of educational dropout and provide educational opportunities for deserving orphaned students and those with limited income, stressing that education is the cornerstone of building the future for individuals and communities.

Addressing Financial Barriers

Al-Bassam added that there are many talented students whose dreams have been halted due to their inability to pay school fees, pointing out that Nama Charity launched the "We Want to Teach Them" campaign, which branches from the "Teach Me and You Will Be Rewarded" project, with the aim of restoring hope for these students and securing their academic and professional future.

Importance of Education

He continued that one of the most painful sights is seeing students deprived of their right to education because they cannot afford tuition fees, which is what we strive to address through this blessed project, as education is not a luxury but a necessity for building generations capable of uplifting their communities.

Selection Criteria and Partnership

Al-Bassam affirmed that through this strategic partnership, the General Secretariat of Awqaf plays a vital role in supporting the education sector by directing endowment funds to those who are entitled according to the endowers' conditions, and students are selected based on precise criteria that ensure support reaches the most needy groups, as he stated in an interview.

Long-term Vision

Al-Bassam said: This partnership is not just cooperation; it is a model for integrated work that serves Kuwait's Vision 2035 and the Sustainable Development Goals. Through educational support, we aspire to build a conscious generation capable of giving and contributing to the renaissance of their nation.

Gratitude and Call to Action

In conclusion, Al-Bassam expressed his gratitude and appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of this project, emphasizing that investing in education is one of the greatest avenues of good, and calling on everyone to participate in supporting needy students and contributing to creating a brighter future for the generations

Workshop on Innovative Solutions for Gaza by Charitable Organization

A workshop titled "Humanitarian Team in Gaza"  held in Jordan from February 21 to 22, 2025, organized by the International Islamic Charitable Organization in collaboration with the Jordanian Hashemite Agency and a group of experts, in order to find innovative solutions.

Enhancing Coordination and Response in Gaza

In a new step to enhance effective coordination and emergency response to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the International Islamic Charitable Organization is organizing the workshop with the attendance of Dr. Abdullah Al-Mutouq, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the organization, and Eng. Bader Al-Sumait, General Director, along with Abdulrahman Al-Mutawa, Deputy General Director for the Projects Sector, as well as representatives from regional and international organizations working in the humanitarian field.

Continuation of the Ninth Conference on Effective Partnership

The workshop comes as a continuation of the outcomes of the Ninth Conference on Effective Partnership held by the International Islamic Charitable Organization and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Kuwait in May 2024, during which the "Sanad" initiative was announced to support relief and early recovery in the Gaza Strip. This reflects the trust of partner entities and donors in the organization's effective performance at regional and international levels, and this event is part of the organization's ongoing efforts to enhance its leadership in humanitarian and charitable work globally.

Importance of Coordination and Planning for Early Recovery

With the announcement of a ceasefire, enhancing coordination and planning for early recovery has become an urgent necessity that requires continuous follow-up to ensure the effectiveness of humanitarian interventions and to expand their scope. Therefore, this workshop aims to rally efforts to support life-saving humanitarian interventions in Gaza, focusing on bridging the gap between emergency response and building long-term resilience according to best global practices.

Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainable Impact

The workshop also aims to strengthen partnerships among development partners in the East and West to ensure the sustainability of projects and maximize their impact, reflecting the organization's ongoing commitment to expanding its partnership network to provide sustainable solutions that contribute to creating a long-term positive impact in affected communities.

Gathering of Experts and Partners

The workshop will bring together more than 40 specialists and regional and international partners representing various charitable entities and humanitarian organizations, hosted by the office of the International Islamic Charitable Organization in Jordan, to coordinate the delivery of aid in the sectors of food security, health, shelter, education, and psychological and social support. The attendees will focus during their discussions on identifying the main challenges and opportunities to expand solutions, while developing strategies to overcome obstacles and leverage available capabilities, along with discussing the identification of stakeholders and estimating the necessary resources.

General Secretariat of Awqaf Participates in Heritage Exhibition

Awqaf's Pavilion Showcases Endowment Achievements

The Acting Deputy Secretary General of the General Secretariat of Awqaf for Administration and Support Services, Amal Hussein Al-Dalal, announced that the Secretariat, represented by the Media and Endowment Development Department, participates with a pavilion in the annual sixth exhibition of the “Expo965” team for heritage and crafts exhibitions and creative Kuwaitis, which is held under the patronage of Minister of Information and Culture Abdulrahman Badah Al-Mutairi, Minister of Social Affairs Dr. Amthal Hadi Al-Huwaila, and Minister of Education Eng. Jalal Sayed Abdul Mohsen Al-Tabtabai, as part of the events of “Kuwait, the Capital of Arab Culture and Media 2025.”

Promoting Endowment Culture and Achievements

Al-Dalal added that the Secretariat’s pavilion includes many publications from the General Secretariat of Awqaf across its various sectors and departments, which introduces the concept of endowment as a noble prophetic tradition that Islam has called us to uphold. It highlights the achievements of the General Secretariat of Awqaf at both local and international levels, and includes prominent marketing and media publications, children’s stories related to endowment and charitable work, social and educational publications, and more.

Raising Awareness about Endowments at "Expo965"

Al-Dalal clarified that the Secretariat’s participation in this exhibition aims to promote endowment culture among the exhibition audience and to showcase its distinguished achievements in the field of endowment in Kuwait, which is a pioneer in this area. Additionally, various awareness publications, whether printed or electronic, will be provided to visitors at the General Secretariat of Awqaf pavilion in the exhibition to enhance the mental image of endowments among the audience and visitors of the exhibition.