The history of Kuwait has witnessed distinctive phases and important stations in the journey of volunteer work, embodying the depth of the culture of giving and solidarity that has become an integral part of its identity.

Since its early beginnings, Kuwait has established values of cooperation and support under the concept of "Fazaa" which united the society in helping the needy and assisting the afflicted, and gradually this concept evolved to include individual and collective initiatives, leading to the establishment of voluntary institutions and associations serving various aspects of life.

This prestigious history highlights 10 key stations that have shaped the contours of volunteer work in Kuwait, contributing to strengthening its role as a leading country in supporting local and international communities and solidifying charity work as an authentic human value.

1- Early beginnings of the idea of volunteering:

Volunteer work in Kuwait began around 4 centuries ago, coinciding with the establishment of the state in 1613, where "Fazaa" was an authentic principle of cooperation and helping others, including lending a helping hand to neighboring tribes and supporting countries affected by disasters.

2- Individual stage of volunteering:

Kuwait was characterized in its early days by individual volunteer work, where rulers, scholars, and merchants contributed to building the community and providing assistance to the needy, such as building mosques and schools and supporting the weak, and this spirit has continued to this day.

3- Collective volunteer efforts:

Volunteer work in Kuwait evolved to a stage of "Fazaa", where community members came together to carry out collective non-institutional volunteer work, such as rescuing ships, extinguishing fires, and building walls, and the idea of "volunteer teams" emerged in a primitive form during this period.

4- Early institutionalized volunteer work:

The establishment of voluntary institutions in Kuwait began with the establishment of the Al-Mubarak School in 1911 as an educational volunteer institution, followed by the establishment of the Arab Charitable Society in 1913 to provide social and health services to the community.

5- Expansion in education and cultural institutions:

Several cultural voluntary institutions were established in the early twentieth century, such as the Al-Ahmedia School in 1921, the National Library and the Literary Club in 1924, and these institutions contributed to spreading culture and education and enhancing social awareness.

6- Regional and international cooperation:

In the thirties, the people of Kuwait began collecting donations to support Arab peoples affected, such as Palestine and Iraq, which enhanced Kuwait's reputation as a supporter of regional and international humanitarian aid.

7- Spread of clubs and voluntary associations:

In the fifties, sports, cultural clubs, and popular associations spread with government support, with their number reaching more than 20 clubs, under the sponsorship of the Department of Social Affairs and Labor founded in 1954.

8- Establishment of public benefit societies:

Following Kuwait's independence in 1961, volunteer work was formally organized by establishing public benefit societies, with their number reaching 143 societies in 2020, covering various specialties and fields, and these societies serve the community under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Affairs.

9- The role of women in volunteer work:

Kuwaiti women played a prominent role in volunteer work, supporting Arab causes since 1936, and contributed to initiatives such as "Plate of Goodness" and "Hanin Kuwait" to care for orphans, and these efforts evolved during the Iraqi invasion crisis, demonstrating the strength of national solidarity.

10- Youth volunteer teams:

Youth volunteer work received significant government support, with more than 300 youth volunteer teams established under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Affairs, serving various social and humanitarian issues, including the "Bader" program which organizes the work of youth teams to effectively achieve their goals.

The book "Voluntary Teams in Kuwait: Inspirational Youth Models" by Dr. Khaled Al-Shatti deeply explores the experience of Kuwaiti voluntary teams that have contributed to the advancement of society through voluntary work.

The book sheds light on several youthful models that have inspired the community with their achievements and provides details on the efforts these teams have made in social, environmental, educational, health, and other fields. The book also discusses the evolution of voluntary work in Kuwait, and the reasons that have made it a key component in the Kuwaiti society fabric.

Dr. Al-Shatti analyzes the role of these teams in achieving sustainable development, highlights the challenges they face, and presents opportunities for developing this field. The book provides recommendations to enhance voluntary work and encourages youth to actively participate in building the community, based on successful and inspiring experiences capable of serving as a reference for creating distinguished volunteer models.

This book offers a comprehensive and in-depth insight into voluntary work, emphasizing its vital role as a fundamental pillar in building and advancing societies. The author emphasizes the importance of voluntary work in filling service gaps that governments may not be able to address alone, pointing out that voluntary work requires collaboration from various sectors - governmental, private, and individual - in order to achieve the common good.

The book also discusses voluntary work from an Islamic perspective, indicating the religious principles that encourage voluntary work as a form of social solidarity among community members. This perspective is reinforced by references to Quranic verses, such as the verse: "And whoever volunteers good - then indeed, Allah is appreciative and knowing," reaffirming that volunteering is rooted in our Islamic Sharia and cultural heritage.

The book also explores the positive effects of volunteering on individuals and society, as it helps volunteers gain new experiences and skills, enhances their sense of responsibility and participation in solving community problems. Moreover, voluntary work promotes social belonging and happiness among volunteers, making them feel valued in society.

The book presents an overview of prominent Kuwaiti voluntary teams and their efforts in various fields, especially under the organization of the Ministry of Social Affairs implementing laws aimed at supporting and regulating voluntary work within legal frameworks. It highlights the role of "Peace Society for Humanitarian and Charitable Actions" and "Kuwait Center for Documenting Humanitarian Work - Fanar" in supporting these teams and facilitating their work, contributing to the sustainability of these initiatives.

Finally, the book presents a historical overview of voluntary work in Kuwait, illustrating that the culture of volunteering has been rooted for four centuries, as the Kuwaiti society has been characterized by cooperation and mutual support to help one another. The book points out that Kuwaiti volunteering is not limited to the domestic sphere but extends beyond borders to assist countries around the world.

In general, this book is an important documentation of the history of voluntary work in Kuwait, encouraging future generations to continue this blessed journey and to persist in achieving sustainable development goals. The information provided in the book documents Kuwait's historical role in charitable and voluntary work, offering a comprehensive view of the evolution of these efforts over time. The book covers various details about:

Charitable collection teams: These teams collected donations from merchants and benefactors to help those affected by economic disasters or natural calamities, embodying a wonderful spirit of solidarity.

Assistance to neighboring tribes: Kuwait has long distinguished itself by providing support to neighboring tribes and countries in need, such as the aid to the Ottoman Empire and historical support to the Palestinian people.

Community Volunteer Teams: With the rise of disasters and crises, volunteer teams in Kuwait have emerged as they did during the "Haddama" years in 1934 and 1954, where Kuwaitis supported each other and provided assistance to affected areas.

Resistance to occupation: During the Iraqi invasion in 1990, volunteer teams emerged in an unprecedented manner, with groups such as "Ahl Al-Deerah Group" and "Muraabitun Movement" formed to support Kuwait, manage the affairs of the country, provide assistance, and organize popular resistance.

Role of Kuwaiti women: Women in Kuwait have played an inspiring role in volunteer work since the 1930s, volunteering to support Palestine, and their role became more prominent during crises, whether through donations or field support during the Iraqi invasion.

Student volunteer teams: Since the early stages of education, students have had a role in volunteer work, which later evolved within student unions, and continued until the establishment of scientific student associations.

Institutional support for volunteer work: Government and private institutions, such as the Ministry of Social Affairs, have supported and regulated volunteer teams, allowing them to be formed within associations and foundations, along with the Youth Authority encouraging youth volunteer activities.

These pieces of information represent a distinctive image of the charitable and volunteer work legacy in Kuwait.

This section addresses the laws and regulations governing volunteer work in Kuwait, including the most important provisions related to the establishment and management of volunteer teams, as well as the financial and organizational principles these teams adhere to.

Laws and regulations for volunteer teams

Despite the long history of volunteer work in Kuwait, dating back over 400 years, there was no independent law regulating this work until recently, as it was partially regulated through Law No. 24 of 1962 concerning clubs and associations of public benefit, which included some volunteer teams affiliated with these associations. In 2014, a temporary regulatory decision was issued to regulate the work of volunteer teams (Ministerial Decision No. 247/A of 2014), later amended by another decision (No. 1029/A of 2015) while awaiting the issuance of a comprehensive law on volunteer work.

Ministerial Decision No. 247/A of 2014 (amended)

Ministerial Decision 247/A was issued in 2014 to regulate the work of volunteer teams until the adoption of a comprehensive law. This decision was part of a national campaign titled "Initiate... You are the hope," aimed at registering volunteer teams and integrating youth into various community activities, enhancing their role in volunteer work and supporting the community.

Regulatory Decision and its key articles

The ministerial decision includes multiple articles, such as:

• Definitions: Defining the concept of volunteer work, volunteer, volunteer team, committee, and financial sponsorships.
• Volunteer work committee: Forming a permanent committee to supervise volunteer work, organize volunteer records, and evaluate volunteer teams.
• Establishing volunteer teams: Setting conditions for establishing teams, including that the founding members must be Kuwaitis and not less than five in number.
• Financial matters: Budgeting, obtaining sponsorships, and the possibility of opening a bank account for the team.
• Annual general meeting: Setting rules for the annual general meeting and its procedures, including approval of the financial statements and administrative reports.
• Investigation and penalties: Establishing a system to investigate non-compliant teams and determining appropriate penalties.

Recent updates

In November 2018, the Ministry of Social Affairs prepared a draft law to regulate volunteer work and referred it to the Council of Ministers and then to the National Assembly for discussion and approval. This law aims to cover the legal and regulatory aspects of all forms of volunteer work, support existing volunteer teams, regulate them, increase awareness, and encourage youth to participate.

The national campaign " Initiate... You Are the Hope" is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Social Affairs in Kuwait to organize and promote volunteer work within an approved legal framework. The campaign is based on ministerial decision No. 247/A of 2014 and amended decision No. 1029/A of 2015, aiming to organize volunteer teams and support them in a way that contributes to activating the community's potentials, especially the youth, to enhance loyalty and belonging to the country through organized and impactful volunteer work.

Vision and Mission

The main vision of the campaign is for volunteering to be part of every household and institution, instilling in individuals a spirit of positive initiative. The mission is to create an innovative administrative unit to support volunteer leadership in developing the community, by refining the skills of volunteers and supporting their administrative and technical capabilities.

Primary Objectives

The " Initiate..." campaign aims to:

- Expand the scope of volunteer work in government and non-governmental institutions.

- Promote and strengthen the culture of volunteering as a social value and community responsibility.

- Direct the energies of volunteer youth in nation-building and development.

- Support and develop volunteer initiatives to meet the needs of society.

- Build the personal and professional capacities of volunteers to activate their positive role in society.

Values Adopted by the Campaign

The campaign relies on a set of values to ensure the continuity and impact of volunteer work, including: cooperation, partnership, sustainability, creativity, and leadership.

Benefits Provided to Volunteer Teams

The campaign offers many benefits that help empower volunteer teams, including:

- A legal framework that protects the team's activities.

- Organizational facilities from the Ministry of Social Affairs, such as halls and partnerships.

- Training on volunteer work skills by specialized experts.

- Opportunities to communicate with official entities to enhance cooperation and facilitate participation in social activities.

Volunteer Team Registration Objectives

Through the "Take the Initiative" campaign, the Ministry of Social Affairs aims to:

- Develop the social work environment and increase the number of qualified human resources.

- Revive the spirit of giving and encourage volunteers to serve the community.

- Utilize community experiences, including the elderly and people with disabilities, to enhance volunteer work.

- Spread the human and civilizational message of Kuwait through distinctive volunteer teams.

Areas of Volunteer Teamwork

The areas of volunteer work within the campaign vary and include:

- Social development

- Resource and environmental conservation

- Economic growth

Registration Requirements

To register a volunteer team within the " Initiate" campaign, the team must provide:

- Registration form.

- Specify the field of volunteer work.

- Define tasks and roles for volunteers.

- Appoint a communication officer to liaise with the Ministry.

The Ministry provides a smartphone application and a website to facilitate the registration process and manage volunteer team data.

Registered Volunteer Teams

The "Take the Initiative" campaign includes many volunteer teams registered within the national platform belonging to the Ministry of Social Affairs, contributing to organizing and unifying volunteer efforts to serve the Kuwaiti community and achieve desired goals.

Charitable Associations and Foundations Supporting Volunteer Teams

Charitable associations and foundations in Kuwait are major supporters of volunteer work and teams, by sponsoring various initiatives that serve the Kuwaiti community and Arab and Islamic societies. These associations adopt a humanitarian vision to promote social solidarity values and cooperation, enriching volunteer work in Kuwait by providing financial, logistical, and administrative support to volunteer teams, enabling them to perform their roles effectively and professionally.

Here is an overview of some of the charitable organizations that sponsor and support volunteer work:

Social Reform Society

The Social Reform Society supports many volunteer activities and initiatives that contribute to the development of Kuwaiti society through sponsoring educational and awareness programs, supporting youth-oriented developmental projects, and implementing humanitarian campaigns and projects inside and outside Kuwait. The Society also provides opportunities for youth to engage in its volunteer programs and contribute to its charitable projects.

Kuwait Zakat House

Kuwait Zakat House provides support to many volunteer teams that contribute to providing medical services and psychological support to refugees, through supporting medical and humanitarian initiatives like the "Medical Healing" team. The house seeks to enable teams to provide healthcare and education, especially in conflict and crisis areas, reflecting Kuwait's commitment to humanitarian issues on an international level.

Kuwait Red Crescent Society

The Kuwait Red Crescent Society supports volunteer teams during natural disasters and emergencies, working on equipping and training voluntary emergency teams to deal with crises locally and internationally. The Red Crescent is considered a key partner in providing emergency relief and contributes to raising awareness about the importance of volunteering to address humanitarian challenges.

Al-Najat Charitable Society

Al-Najat Charitable Society encourages youth participation in volunteer work, providing training programs to build the necessary skills for working in humanitarian and developmental fields, especially in supporting education and health in needy areas. Al-Najat Society aims to enhance the spirit of giving among young people and empower them to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable groups.

NAMA Charitable Society

NAMA Charitable Society plays a prominent role in supporting volunteer work, especially in developing leadership and volunteer skills among young people. NAMA participates in various projects aimed at reducing poverty and improving the living standards of needy groups and focuses on empowering youth by involving them in humanitarian activities aimed at achieving sustainable development.

Direct Aid Society

Direct Aid is a leading institution in the field of humanitarian volunteer work, offering many training programs for youth to work in relief and development fields, especially in Africa. Direct Aid prepares voluntary teams to participate in emergency relief programs, health and education awareness campaigns, and aims to promote humanitarian work based on providing direct aid to those in need.

Positive effects of supporting charitable societies and organizations through volunteer work

• Collaboration between charitable societies, organizations, and volunteer teams is essential for enhancing humanitarian work, as this collaboration contributes to:
• Increasing youth participation in social and charitable work and developing their skills in planning and organization.
• Enhancing social solidarity and instilling values of cooperation and good citizenship.
• Achieving sustainable development through projects that support needy groups and improve living standards.
• Enriching the human experience, as youth feel a sense of belonging and personal value by providing volunteer services in education, health, and relief fields.
• Charitable societies and organizations serve as a fundamental pillar in supporting volunteer work, enhancing a culture of solidarity and giving, and establishing an interconnected society that prioritizes the well-being of individuals and communities.

 Rutgers University's Alex Hinton has studied the Trumpiverse since 2015, where Democrats and Republicans connect and talk. Hinton has spoken with Trump supporters ranging from the Make America Great Again (MAGA) faithful to moderate conservatives. Many on the left fail to understand who Trump voters are and how they vary. Trump voters trend older, white, rural, religious, and less educated but they include others outside those demographic groups.

Many people have thoughtful reasons for voting for Trump, even if their reasoning is often inflamed by populist polarizers and media platforms. Here are five key lines of reasoning that, in varying combinations, inform Trump voters’ choice.

1. Media distortion: Some Trump supporters believe that the left-leaning media dissects Trump’s every word, and the media then distorts what he says. They have found that people who feed too much on this allegedly biased media diet can get TDS and develop a passionate, perhaps illogical dislike of Trump.
2. Bread on the table, money in the bank: For many Trump voters, the answer to Ronald Reagan’s famous question is clear: “No.” They accurately remember Trump’s term as one of tax cuts, economic growth, and stock market highs. However, for some Trump supporters, that economic boost pales in comparison to the massive surge in inflation during Biden’s term, with prices rising almost 20%.
3. A border invasion: Another reason some Americans want to vote for Trump is immigration. The number of people illegally crossing the border soared under Biden. This massive influx of “illegal aliens,” as Trump calls them, dropped to its lowest level in four years in July 2024. This happened after the Biden administration made it harder for immigrants to apply for asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border, a policy measure that is in line with many Republicans’ approach.

In 2022, 82% of Republicans said they viewed immigration as a “very important” issue. Trump continues to tout his proposed solution, which includes shutting the border, building a wall, and deporting 11 million immigrants who are living in the U.S. without legal authorization.

4. A proven record: Some Trump voters simply compare the records of Trump and Biden-Harris and find that the tally tilts firmly toward Trump.

There were no new wars under Trump. Biden-Harris, in contrast, is saddled with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s aggression on  Gaza. Trump supporters’ perception is that American taxpayers foot a large portion of the bill, even though other countries are also giving money to Ukraine, and Israel is actually buying weapons from the U.S.

5. The MAGA bull in a China shop: While some Harris supporters lament Trump’s destruction of democracy and decency in politics, Trump voters see a charismatic MAGA bull in a China shop. It is precisely because Trump is an unrelenting pugilist or a fighter that he should be elected, his supporters believe. Some even view him as a savior – who will save the U.S. from a “radical left” apocalypse.

For such Trump stalwarts, MAGA is not simply a slogan. In the Trumpiverse, it is a movement to save an America that is on the brink of failure.

Greek police arrested a third suspect Monday in connection with an explosion in central Athens last week that authorities have blamed on an aspiring domestic extremist communist group.

The 30-year-old woman surrendered to Greek authorities Monday at Athens International Airport after being located in Switzerland, authorities said. 

The Oct. 31 blast gutted a third-floor apartment in the central Ambelokipi neighborhood, killing a 36-year-old man believed to have been assembling an explosive device. A 33-year-old woman was severely injured and remains hospitalized under police guard. A 31-year-old male suspect surrendered to authorities.

“It was a monstrous bomb with concentrated explosive material,” Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrisochoidis told private Skai television. “It would have caused great destruction because it was very powerful.” The apartment block has been declared uninhabitable due to blast damage.

Chrisochoidis said those allegedly involved were young people who appeared to aspire to become a new generation of domestic terrorists in Greece.

Anti-terrorism units searching the blast site, three additional locations, and a vehicle seized two handguns with magazines, digital devices, disguise materials including wigs and rubber masks, and handwritten diagrams.

Greece has a history of far-left extremism dating to the 1970s, with militants carrying out multiple bombings and assassinations, though major groups have been dismantled.

Recent years have seen reduced activity, with the last significant incident occurring in December 2023 when police defused a bomb at riot police headquarters following an anonymous warning.

“I think we are dealing with an attempt of some young people who are aiming to become a third generation of terrorism in Greece,” Chrisochoidis said.

The intended target and timing of the planned attack remain under investigation. All three suspects – as well as the man killed in the blast – are Greek nationals.

The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) has always embodied its deep commitment to resistance by putting its leaders at the forefront, martyrs on the path of defending Palestine and the nation, thus achieving the statement: "We present our leaders before the soldiers."

Among them are those who rose in the fields of combat in the operation "Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade", defending the land and honor, and among them are those who were assassinated in Zionist assassination operations targeting symbols of the movement's leadership.

Despite these sacrifices, the determination of the movement grows, as new leaders take on the march with steadfastness, continuing the path of those before them towards freedom and victory.

Among the prominent leaders of Hamas who topped the list of honor of martyrdom:

- Yahya Ayyash... the Engineer of Resistance

Yahya Ayyash, the engineer of the Al-Qassam Brigades, was assassinated on January 5, 1996, by a mobile phone planted with explosives by a Zionist agent.

- Ibrahim al-Maqadma... an Intellectual School

Ibrahim al-Maqadma, a member of the political bureau of Hamas, was martyred on March 8, 2003, after an Israeli airstrike targeted his car in Gaza with 5 missiles, with the occupation describing him as one of the most dangerous Palestinian leaders, considering him an intellectual school that inspired Palestinian resistance.

- Ismail Abu Shanab... the Engineer of the 1st Intifada

Described as the engineer of the first Palestinian intifada, he was appointed by the founder of Hamas, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, as his deputy, and was tasked with managing resistance in Gaza before the outbreak of the intifada in the eighties of the last century.

- Sheikh Ahmed Yassin… the founder of Hamas

The founder of Hamas, he was arrested several times and sentenced to life in prison until he was released in a prisoner exchange deal in 1997.

- Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi... the Lion of Palestine

Nicknamed the "Lion of Palestine", he was deported by the occupation to Marj al-Zuhour in 1992, and repeatedly arrested until 1997, and survived an assassination attempt in 2003.

- Jamal Salim… the Fluent Speaker

He was known for his speeches in mosques in Nablus and was previously a deputy to the head of the Palestinian Scholars Association.

On July 31, 2001, Salim was martyred in a helicopter attack on a media office of the movement in Nablus.

-Jamal Mansour… Designer of the "Hamas" logo.

He is considered one of the founding generations of the "Hamas" movement, and he rose to prominence with the beginning of the intifada in 1987, being the first to design the logo of the "Hamas" movement.

Mansour was martyred on July 31, 2001, in a Zionist airstrike from an Apache helicopter that targeted his office at the Palestinian Center for Studies and Media in the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank.

He was the spokesperson for the "Hamas" delegation for dialogue with the Authority and the "Fatah" movement.

Salah Shihadeh… Founder of the Military Wing of "Hamas".

Salah Shihadeh was assassinated on July 23, 2002, in an airstrike by an F-16 fighter jet, which also resulted in the martyrdom of 12 others and the destruction of the densely populated Daraj neighborhood.

The occupation described Shihadeh as responsible for hundreds of operations against its forces.

Ahmed Jabari… Chief of Staff of the Resistance.

Ahmed Jabari, a prominent military commander in the movement, was assassinated on November 14, 2012, in a Zionist airstrike targeting his car near the public service complex in Gaza. His assassination was a prelude to the aggression on the sector, which lasted for about 10 days.

Jabari had survived an assassination attempt in 2004 when the occupation forces targeted his home, resulting in his injury and the martyrdom of his son and two brothers.

Al-Qassam Brigades said in a statement mourning him: "He is the chief of staff of the resistance in Palestine."

Saleh al-Arouri… Engineer of the "Al-Aqsa Flood"

Deputy head of the political bureau of the "Hamas" movement Saleh al-Arouri was martyred on January 2, 2024, in a drone attack targeting his office in Beirut, along with two leaders of the Al-Qassam Brigades.

The ambassador of the occupation to the United Nations celebrated this operation, while the Israeli Prime Minister's Office recommended its ministers not to make an official comment on the event.

Ismail Haniyeh… Hamas Diplomat

On July 31, 2024, the head of the political bureau of the "Hamas" movement, Ismail Haniyeh, was martyred in a Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran while participating in the inauguration ceremony of the Iranian President.

Haniyeh had been the target of repeated assassination attempts, most notably in September 2003 when he was injured in an airstrike targeting Hamas leaders including Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. The occupation forces also bombed his home in Gaza several times during their wars on the strip.

Yahya Sinwar… Commander of  "Al-Aqsa Flood".

The head of the political bureau of the "Hamas" movement Yahya Sinwar was martyred on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, in a clash with the occupation forces in the Sultan neighborhood in Rafah, where he was martyred along with two Al-Qassam fighters.

Sinwar moved between different combat sites, remaining steadfast and defending the honor of Gaza, defending Palestine and its sanctities. His sacrifices and determination served as a source of inspiration that strengthened the spirit of resilience, patience, steadfastness, and resistance in the hearts of all.

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Read the article in Arabic

https://mugtama.com/03/345697/