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First female Kuwaiti, Gulf diplomat Nabeela Al-Mulla launches memoir

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KUWAIT: Assistant Foreign Minister for the Diplomatic Institute Nasser Al-Subaih praised the pioneering role played by Kuwaiti women in diplomacy, noting that the ministry of foreign affairs has been and continues to be rich with distinguished figures who have left a significant impact locally, regionally and internationally — among the most prominent of whom is Ambassador Nabeela Abdulla Al-Mulla.

Speaking during the launch of “Breaking New Ground on the Global Stage”, the first book by Kuwait’s and the GCC’s first woman Ambassador, Al-Subaih stated that he had the honor of working alongside her during his time as a member of Kuwait’s mission to the United Nations in Vienna, where Al-Mulla served as Kuwait’s Permanent Representative. “I worked alongside Ambassador Al-Mulla for two years and learned a great deal from her,” he said.

Al-Subaih expressed his pride in the accomplishments of Kuwaiti women, emphasizing that they have achieved remarkable successes and held honorable positions, standing out among women across the Gulf and Arab world.

In a separate context, responding to journalists’ questions about the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) ability to adopt unified stances toward regional challenges, Al-Subaih affirmed that the GCC remains united with firm and clear positions. He explained that ministerial and summit statements consistently reflect the unity and shared vision of the Gulf nations. “The GCC was built on the foundations of unity and continues to work toward strengthening it, especially in light of current regional and international circumstances that demand more consultation and coordination to produce clear positions that express the shared destiny of the Gulf States,” he added.

During his speech at the event, Al-Subaih also noted that Ambassador Al-Mulla’s book offers a vivid portrayal of her practical diplomatic experience, chronicling her journey from her early beginnings to her ascension to the highest levels of diplomatic work. “This book serves as documentation of an honorable diplomatic career, through which Ambassador Al-Mulla embodied the highest standards of Kuwaiti diplomatic excellence on the international stage,” he said.

Ambassador Al-Mulla explained that the idea of documenting her professional journey was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but a long-standing dream fueled by her belief in the importance of preserving the experiences of officials. “The lack of documentation is a challenge in many Third World and Arab countries, where researchers often have to rely on British or German archives due to the scarcity of local, documented sources,” she said.

Al-Mulla praised initiatives such as those by the emirate of Sharjah in collecting historical documents but expressed hope that her book would inspire other officials to document their careers. She noted that although her decision to write came relatively late, her strong desire to share her unique professional journey with young people and readers ultimately motivated her to move forward.

She emphasized that she faced many obstacles but overcame them through perseverance and the support she received from the country’s leadership, her family, and her friends. The book, she explained, covers key moments such as her role in adopting the preliminary decision to establish international forces in Lebanon in 1978, her participation in international resolutions addressing the Iraqi invasion and occupation of Kuwait in 1990, and her involvement with the Iranian nuclear file in 2003.

On the role of the Diplomatic Institute, Al-Mulla stressed the importance of its development, highlighting the need for greater openness to other diplomatic academies and the adoption of international training programs and exchange initiatives. “I believe there is vast potential for more openness, and we must capitalize on it to enhance the expertise of our diplomats,” she said.

She emphasized the need to encourage all members of the ministry of foreign affairs to participate in training programs and professional experiences in major global hubs such as the United Nations, not only in New York but also in Geneva, the European Union, Vienna, the IAEA and the Arab League. Al-Mulla called on young people to read the book carefully and extract lessons and insights, stressing that documentation is not just about preserving events but about building political and intellectual awareness for the future.

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Kuwait enforces eviction of charities from private housing

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KUWAIT: Kuwait Municipality launched Thursday its first field inspection campaign to evacuate charity associations and foundations operating in private and model residential areas across the six governorates.

Private residential areas are low-density zones reserved for single-family housing, primarily intended for Kuwaiti citizens, where land is distributed through the country’s housing welfare program. In contrast, investment housing areas feature multi-unit buildings — such as apartments, duplex villas, and studios — designed for rental or ownership across all floors.

The campaign comes following a request from the Ministry of Social Affairs to Kuwait Municipality to enforce Ministerial Decision No. (206/2009) — which prohibits the use of buildings in private residential areas for any purpose other than private housing. The ministry began surveying all registered charities — approximately 84 organizations with over 200 branches across the country — earlier this month to take legal action against those located in private residential zones.

Khaled Al-Fadhli, Head of the Emergency Team at Ahmadi Municipality, told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that field teams had issued warnings to several charity premises over the past days, ordering them to vacate. On Thursday, the teams inspected five areas — Fahaheel, Fintas, Ali Sabah Al-Salem (Umm Al-Hayman), Sabah Al-Ahmad Residential City, and Al-Sabahiya — issuing 15 evacuation warnings. Al-Fadhli praised the cooperation of some associations that voluntarily removed their violations in Al-Ahmadi Governorate.

Al-Fadhli stressed that the monitoring teams will not tolerate any violations of Kuwait Municipality’s regulations and laws, emphasizing that field campaigns will continue over the coming days across different governorates.

This move is part of a wider regulatory reform of Kuwait’s charitable sector. Last month, the ministry suspended all charitable fundraising nationwide, citing concerns about unauthorized campaigns. Since November 2024, Minister of Social Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah has dissolved at least 30 charities found inactive after inspections. These measures are designed to eliminate inactive or ineffective organizations and ensure that resources are being used efficiently.

These reforms also align with Kuwait’s efforts to improve financial oversight and comply with international anti-money laundering standards. A Financial Action Task Force (FATF) report released in November 2024 acknowledged Kuwait’s legal framework to combat illicit finance, but pointed to enforcement challenges. Countries that fall short of FATF standards risk being greylisted or blacklisted, which can affect global financial relations. Kuwaiti authorities have since ramped up coordination among ministries to tighten control, particularly over cross-border donations. Officials say these efforts aim to uphold Kuwait’s humanitarian leadership while meeting international best practices. — Agencies

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Indian Learners Own Academy visits Kuwait Times, Kuwait News

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KUWAIT: A group of students from Indian Learners Own Academy visited the offices of Kuwait Times and Kuwait News on Monday for an interactive media tour on Thursday. Aimed at sparking curiosity and creativity, the visit gave students a glimpse into the dynamic world of journalism beyond the classroom. Thursday’s visit was the second this week, after another group of students from the academy explored Kuwait Times and Kuwait News on Wednesday.

Jana Alnaqeeb, Kuwait Times’ PR & CSR Manager, led the tour alongside members of the digital and editorial teams. The students explored various departments, including the editorial section, studio, printing press, and archives, gaining firsthand insights into how news stories are created, edited, and published. They also learned about the importance of credible reporting and how social media content is crafted to engage younger audiences.

Adding a playful twist to the visit, the team organized a game of hide and seek for the students, who dashed through the newsroom and turned the space into a lively, energetic environment.

The visit was part of the school’s initiative to blend education with real-world exposure and Kuwait Times’ ongoing mission to connect with and inspire future generations.

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AUK students unite for Gaza with ‘Play it Forward’ awareness event

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KUWAIT: The Finance Club at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) organized an awareness event titled “Play it Forward” on Wednesday, in collaboration with the Office of Student Life and 12 student organizations, to shed light on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Speaking to Kuwait Times, Shoroq Bukhamsin, President of the Finance Club, said the event’s primary aim was to amplify awareness. “We wanted people to remember the cause, to remember the people. It’s still relevant and it will never stop being relevant,” she said.

A key feature of the event was an emotional art exhibition titled “Gaza Habibti” by Untold Palestine, which displayed photographs of Gaza’s people before and after the war. “The gallery traces the emotional journey — beginning with life before the war, then documenting the devastation and personal stories from the current conflict,” Bukhamsin explained. “It reminds us they are not just numbers. They are souls, families, daughters and sons.”

The exhibition also included large-scale installations by regional artists, including a moving piece known as the Martyr’s Wall, which displayed photos of 1,300 Palestinians who lost their lives. “This is not even a fraction; the current death toll exceeds 50,000,” Bukhamsin noted. She extended heartfelt thanks to AUK, faculty advisors, club executives, supporting businesses, and Kuwait Times for their support and coverage.

Jumanah Al-Bloushi, Vice President of the Finance Club, said the event also featured an open market and game zone. Local businesses and food vendors participated, pledging 25 percent of their proceeds to humanitarian causes related to Palestine. Attendees were encouraged to donate through interactive games.

A performance show by ArtScene and Argan Bedaya capped the event, featuring music, poetry and storytelling in tribute to Palestinian identity and resilience. Al-Bloushi praised the collective spirit: “It’s so beautiful to see so many different organizations come together just to make this happen today.” She added, “This event is a reminder that even after a year, the Palestinian cause is still relevant and we will not let it be forgotten.”

Mishari Al-Ibrahim, a member of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement in Kuwait, also participated in the exhibition. He emphasized the boycott as a powerful form of resistance: “Here in Kuwait, we’re pioneers and active in this field,” he said. “These events allow us to explain the different forms of boycott — commercial, academic and sports — as tools to counter normalization and raise awareness.”

He encouraged individuals to engage by staying informed and making conscious choices. “At the very least, refrain from buying targeted products and raise awareness among your family and peers,” he said. “When you have the right information, you become a source of knowledge. That’s how you become an active member of the global boycott movement and part of the change.”

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