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Palestinian exhibition in Kuwait empowers 350 refugee women

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KUWAIT: From the refugee camps of Jordan, the devastated city of Al-Khalil (Hebron) and the olive farms of Nablus, locally made products have arrived in Kuwait for the 61st exhibition of the Palestinian Culture Center—supporting families, preserving heritage and reviving nearly lost traditions. Running until Monday at the women’s cultural & social society in collaboration with the Palestinian Embassy, the exhibition has been held twice a year in Kuwait since the 1990s.

It is built around two core objectives: preserving the ancient art of tatreez—Palestinian cross-stitch embroidery that dates back over a thousand years—and empowering women. This year, one-third of the proceeds go directly to around 350 Palestinian women artisans, many of whom craft these pieces under harsh conditions in refugee camps across Jordan, completely different from conditions experienced before the Nakba in 1948.

“Women used to embroider while sitting under trees, surrounded by flowers, sipping coffee and chatting… that disappeared,” said Faten Abu-Ghazaleh, spokesperson and long-time volunteer at the Palestinian Culture Center. “They then lived very ugly refugee camps, so they stopped embroidering, and the younger generation no longer knew how to do it. We wanted to make sure that this tradition was not lost” For many of the women, tatreez has become their only source of income. “It’s very important for us to grant these women a better quality of life,” Abu Ghazaleh said.

She shared stories of women whose lives were transformed by their embroidery. “One of them wanted to do a master’s in physics. She was an A student, but didn’t have the money. So the center told her: ‘Embroider this piece and we will pay for your tuition.’ That’s exactly what happened.” In another instance, embroidery helped a woman begin a new chapter of her life. “One woman wanted to get married, didn’t have enough to start her new life,” Abu-Ghazaleh shared. “So she embroidered a big tablecloth in return of 100 dinars. Maybe that’s not much, but for her, it was a step to improve the quality of her life.

Only 200 remain

More than a craft, it is a direct link to their identity and dignity. “Tatreez is an expression of belonging to the land,” said Abu Ghazaleh. “This is art. It is an expression of hope, love, and defiance.” The exhibition now reaches far beyond tatreez, delving into the fading art of traditional ceramics from Al-Khalil (Hebron city). Once a thriving craft passed down for centuries, it now teeters on the brink of extinction. “It’s a 500-year-old tradition,” Abu Ghazaleh said. “But only 200 artisans remain. Settlers storm their workshops, shattering their work with sticks. Survival is a daily battle.”

Tables are also lined with olive oil, za’atar, and maramieh (sage)—symbols of Palestinian farmers’ enduring resilience. “Some of our olive trees are called Roman olive trees—they’re 2,000 years old. Always giving. Like the Palestinian farmer,” she said. What was once a season of joy and harvest has turned into a battlefield. “Olive season used to be a celebration of life,” Abu Ghazaleh said. “Schools would close; children would help pick olives. Now settlers burn the trees or block the fields. It’s a struggle for survival.”

A section of the exhibition highlights donated items from families in Kuwait—Kuwaitis and other nationalities alike—a testament to broader solidarity. “Support from Kuwait? It’s remarkable,” said Abu Ghazaleh. “Maybe because early teachers in Kuwait were Palestinian or because some Kuwaiti families even owned property in Ramallah.” The exhibition also showcased books spanning children’s stories, cookbooks, tatreez guides, and political analysis. “We’re determined to preserve every piece of our story,” Abu Ghazaleh said.

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Kuwait Commerce Min.: Protecting industrial system is Nat’l responsibility

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 KUWAIT: Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Chairman of the Public Authority for Industry (PAI) Khalifa Al-Ajeel said on Monday that protecting the commercial and industrial system is a “national responsibility that requires concerted efforts.”

Minister Al-Ajeel emphasized in a statement to KUNA following an extensive inspection campaign in the south Amghara scrap yard, to “firmly deal with all violations and encroachments in accordance with legal frameworks where no one is above the law.”

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Al-Ajeel confirmed the continuation of inspection campaigns as well until the desired goals are reached, foremost being is restoring order and discipline to the area and removing all violations and encroachments.

He affirmed the ministry and the PAI’s commitment to cooperating with relevant authorities to continue these campaigns to ensure a safe and organized industrial and commercial environment.

The campaign resulted in the seizure of several violations and closure of several non-compliant units in preparation for taking necessary legal action against their exploiters.

Participating in the campaign was General Fire Force (KFF) Chief Major General Talal Al-Roumi, along with several executive leaders from the PAI. — KUNA

 

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Human Rights Committee session begins with focus on Gaza, regional challenges

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CAIRO: The 56th regular session of the Arab Permanent Committee for Human Rights commenced on Monday with the participation of Kuwait and representatives from Arab states concerned with human rights affairs. In his opening address, Ahmed Maghari, supervisor of the Human Rights Department at the League of Arab States, underscored the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling it a stark indicator of the region’s human rights reality. “We cannot speak of the state of human rights without acknowledging the catastrophic conditions faced by our brothers in Gaza, where securing the most basic necessities has become a matter of survival,” he said. Maghari described the ongoing Zionist aggression in Gaza as a profound moral and humanitarian challenge, noting that the Palestinian people continue to endure daily suffering under constant bombardment, displacement and destruction. He lamented the international community’s continued inaction in the face of clear violations of international law and human rights norms. “The occupying power persists in defying international legitimacy and the decisions of the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the International Court of Justice,” he said.

Held at a time of mounting regional tensions, the session comes amid escalating challenges that directly affect fundamental human rights. Maghari highlighted the Committee’s historic role since its establishment in 1968 in developing the Arab human rights framework both legally and practically, while also fostering cooperation with regional and international partners. He expressed hope that the session would yield effective recommendations to help confront the pressing challenges in the region. He pointed to the rise of conflicts and violence globally, along with the resulting serious human rights violations, as major concerns.

Emerging issues such as the intersection of human rights with climate change, artificial intelligence, and the spread of alien ideologies that undermine human dignity were also noted. “In light of these challenges, we must reinforce our solidarity and collective action to enhance peace, stability, and the security of our societies,” Maghari added. The two-day session, chaired by Ambassador Talal Al-Mutairi, Chairman of the Arab Permanent Committee for Human Rights, will review the General Secretariat’s report on the implementation of previous recommendations up to the 55th session.

Discussions will also focus on Zionist violations in occupied Arab territories, the plight of Arab prisoners and detainees in Zionist prisons, and the issue of the bodies of Palestinian and Arab martyrs held in so-called “numbered cemeteries.” Other agenda items include the Arab Charter on Human Rights and preparations for Arab Human Rights Day, which will be observed on March 16, 2026. Kuwait is represented at the meeting by a delegation led by Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah.— KUNA

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Crown Prince receives Egyptian Deputy PM

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KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received on Tuesday at Bayan Palace the Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport and Industry, Lieutenant General Kamel Abdulhadi Al-Wazir, and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of their official visit to the country. The meeting was attended by Kuwait’s Minister of Public Works Dr Noura Al-Mashaan and Egypt’s Ambassador to Kuwait Osama Shaltout.– KUNA photos

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