EID GIFT - TO CITIZENS OF KUWAIT

Hello,

Last year the Emir of Kuwait granted a KD 200.000 for all citizens.

There was much hue and cry about the utility of the gift. It was in probability utilized by about 90% of Kuwaitis to repay their credit card and other debts.

As they could not use it they felt that the gift was a stupid exercise. They forgot that in one shot the Emir managed to reduce about KD 90 million in loans and dues.

Well, the Emir learnt his lesson and this time there is no cash gift.

So what is the gift?

The gift is in the form of a new Bank. This Bank will be formed with a capital of KD 100 million. KIA, the investment wing of the Bank will invest 25% and the rest will be distributed amongst the citizens. So we will approximately KD 75 Million in the hand of the 1.1. million population (or slightly less if we minus the non adult citizens).

This translates into 750 shares each. At an expected price of say 350 fils each share, the gift translated into money is KD 265.000.

The Emir has killed two birds with one stone.

Infusion of KD 100 million into the economy and gift to the citizens both through this wonderful action of creating WARBA BANK, the first Islamic Bank where the entire population of a country will be share-holders.

To give you an idea of how the Government takes care of the citizens here are a few perks the citizens are entitled to:

Every child - KD 80/- till eternity.

Every marriage - KD 2000/- gift and KD 2000/- payable in installments of KD 10-20 every month.

If working in the private sector - KD 300/- maintenance allowance. KD 400/-, if married.

KD 70,000/- loan (interest free) for house or house (no one takes the house as they already live in palaces) . KD 100/- installment every month. - Till you take the loan or house KD 150/- housing allowance.

US$ 1,500 per month allowance if studying abroad.

Education free in Government schools.

Medical free.

Does anybody need to work after this?

No electricity, phone bills are paid and petrol is cheaper than water.

It is not surprising that the rest of the GCC citizens try to get Kuwaiti citizenship.

It is understood that UAE guys are even more blessed.

Does anyone have an example of better living conditions?

Best regards,

Manoj

RAMADAN FOR A NON MUSLIM IN KUWAIT

Hello,

A few of my friends have been wondering how it is like to be a non - muslim in Kuwait during the holy month of Ramadan. Well frankly it has made no difference to me except for a few adjustments that we need to make in our daily routine.

The Ministry of Interior makes sure that the law which was formulated in 1968 is given wide publicity leading to Ramadan. The rule according to law No. 44 of 1968 says that anybody caught eating, drinking or smoking in public during the daytime in Ramadan, along with those who compelled or abetted them to do so, would be given a fine of up to KD 100 and/or a prison sentence of one month.
I have not heard of anyone personally known to me being caught but it is understood that the imprisonment ends on the last day of Ramadan. This law also gives the Ministry the powers to ask certain establishments to close during the fasting hours and Restaurants are not open during the day hours till the break of fast at sunset.
It depends on where you work and it is necessary that you respect the local customs as any unwanted exuberance is considered an insult to the tradition of fasting that is followed by most Kuwaitis.
In some organisations, the pantry is kept open for non - muslim expatriates to take their food, water, etc in seclusion. In most organisations the Kuwaiti colleagues do try to make it clear that they do not object to your taking food and water during office hours if it done in the pantry.
In an organisation I know of non - muslims had not paid heed to the sentiments of the fasting muslims and had gathered at the pantry, as if for a picnic. The action taken was that from the next day the pantry was closed.
I have not witnessed it but it is understood that if a muslim complains about your having taken food or water in public view, during the fasting hours, you can attract the penalty we have discussed above.
School children are allowed to bring their lunch and have it in their classrooms instead of the usual places like the playground or the auditorium. Sick and invalid people are exempted. I understand that even sportsmen are exempted but we do not take the risk and on Fridays when we play cricket we make sure that when we drink water we are not sighted by any muslim.

The arrangement of our water drinking place during our game is illustrated in the figure alongside. This is circulated to all players before Ramadan.

Ramadan is a holy month and the best time to ask for a raise. I am not sure anyone has actually done it or not. Kuwaitis give away 2.5% of their income as Zakat and try to be the most benevolent during the holy month.

Ramadan is the best time to relax. Office hours begin at 9.30 AM, two hours after the usual start and end at 2.30 PM, half an hour before the usual end. If your Boss is a Kuwaiti, then it is the best time of the year. No pressure & no irritation.

Muslims like to share during Ramadan and there are meals called the 'Ghabka' held at almost all big hotels in the evenings. Large AC tents are put up and a variety of food is spread for dinner. Non- muslims are invited and there is no restriction on the number of friends you take along with you. I am invited to one tomorrow.

The bad things about Ramadan is that traffic is really bad. Not as bad as in Delhi though, but bad by Kuwait standards. The reason is that people have not slept well and need to rush home to get sleep. Therefore some rash driving and some cat napping on the wheel. Ramadan sees a large number of accidents.

All in all it is month of rejoicing, meeting friends, having a lot of time for yourself for a non - muslim in Kuwait.

Be careful while driving, drinking and do some dieting, that's all.

Best wishes,

Manoj

Kuwait - Life of an indian Expatriate

Hello,

Life in Kuwait comes to life on Fridays and Saturdays.
In fact I can say Thursday evening as all arrangement to start

Cricket on Friday at Sharq United
early next morning 5.45AM for the game of cricket at Sharq United has to be completed. We are almost 30 players at the club and on an average end up having two full teams of 11,12 or 13 players.
We play 30 over matches and the plan involves giving batting and bowling to all players.
During summer we have reduced the number of overs to 24.
The game starts at 6AM and ends at 10-10.15 AM. We generally have cliff hangers as the teams are formed to be evenly balanced.
The Batting, Scoring and Cheering team

This is the time of the week I look forward to. I am amongst the oldest (age wise) member and it is fun to feel young for the four hours of the week. I am generally so tired when back from the game that I have to take a nap to get back the energy to get into other activities.


The other major activity on Fridays and Saturdays (sometimes on Thursday evenings) is getting together.

Bachelors party at residence of Kamlesh- Saturday

The get togethers are generally family events but during the summers when families are in India the men get together for forced bachelor parties. Bawdy jokes and serious discussions generally on the Indian political scene, the movies, the TV shows, the stock market are the staple food at such get togethers.


The passageway in front of the Sultan Centre Marina




The Kuwait Towers at Night.








There are several other activities you can indulge in when in Kuwait. Like visiting the beach, the marina, the shopping complexes, the restaurants, sights like the kuwait tower, etc.

I hope to cover these in my coming posts.

Regards,
Manoj