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Zain sponsors first GCC conference for high school students

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KUWAIT: As part of its efforts to instill positive values and raise digital awareness among youth, Zain sponsored the First GCC Conference for High School Students, held under the theme Health Awareness with a Gulf Vision, in collaboration with the Ministries of Education, Interior, and Defense, the Kuwait Society for Awareness and Prevention (Ghiras), and the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States.

Zain took part in the conference’s opening ceremony, which was held under the patronage and presence of Minister of Education Jalal Al-Tabtabaei; Dr Ahmad Al-Shatti, CEO of the Ghiras Project; Dr Mohammed Al-Muqbil, Director General of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States; and Waleed Al-Khashti, Chief Corporate Affairs and Relations Officer at Zain Kuwait, along with a number of ambassadors, officials, and representatives of participating entities from Kuwait and other GCC countries.

In his opening remarks during the event, Waleed Al-Khashti said: “We at Zain are proud to be the main sponsor of this first-of-its-kind GCC conference for high school students, which serves as a pioneering platform to promote health awareness and instill positive values among Gulf youth. It also allows us to highlight the importance of digital awareness in light of the rapid technological changes of our time.”

He added: “Our participation comes as part of our solid strategy to support national and regional initiatives focused on youth, education, and public health. At Zain, we believe that investing in awareness and knowledge is the true investment in our nations’ future. As part of our social responsibility, we continue our efforts to empower future generations and support the efforts of government entities and civil society in building a conscious and resilient community.”

Al-Khashti continued: “Over the past years, we have been committed to launching awareness campaigns and forming strategic partnerships with various entities—most notably the Ministries of Education and Interior—to shed light on issues that directly impact our society. Recently, we also launched innovative digital campaigns aimed at raising societal awareness, especially among youth.” The conference aimed to promote health and social awareness among youth across GCC countries. It is the first of its kind in the region to focus specifically on high school students. The event saw the participation of student delegations from all GCC nations, alongside students from different educational districts across Kuwait.

The program featured a range of activities and interactive sessions, including workshops and lectures addressing critical youth-related topics such as digital addiction and its societal effects, psychological and family therapy, personal development, and raising awareness of the health, social, and psychological risks of drug and substance abuse.

Participating students were also given the opportunity to share their views and exchange solutions regarding common challenges faced by youth. At the conclusion of the conference, a set of recommendations was compiled and submitted to the relevant official bodies in Kuwait and other Gulf countries to ensure proper follow-up and practical implementation. Zain continues to align with the national agenda in the areas of youth empowerment and social development, as one of the country’s leading institutions committed to playing a vital role in advancing and prospering the community.

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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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