ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2015
3LOCAL
Sheikh Salman ‘congratulates’leadership, people on Ramadan
Muslims worldwide to mark the holy month Thursday
KUWAIT CITY, June 17,(KUNA): Minister ofInformation and Ministerof State for Youth AffairsSheikh Salman SabahSalem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah on Wednesday con-gratulated the Kuwaitipolitical leadership andpeople on the advent of theMuslim Holy fastingmonth of Ramadan.
On behalf of the State Ministryfor Youth Affairs, Sheikh Salmancongratulated in a press statementHis Highness the Amir SheikhSabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the CrownPrince Sheikh Nawaf Al-AhmadAl-Jaber Al-Sabah and HisHighness the Prime MinisterSheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on the advent ofRamadan that starts Thursday.
He prayed for more security, stabil-ity and prosperity in Kuwait under HisHighness the Amir’s wise leadership.
Sheikh Salman noted in his state-ment that the youth affairs ministryfollows His Highness the Amir’sdirectives as a roadmap for supportingand empowering youth, embracingtheir views and promoting capabilities.
Agencies add:The Muslim holy fasting month of
Ramadan will begin Thursday in SaudiArabia, the birthplace of Islam andhome to its holiest sites, the RoyalCourt said.
Elsewhere in the Gulf, Bahrain, theUnited Arab Emirates and Qatar alsoannounced a Thursday start forRamadan.
The government of Yemen, exiledin Saudi Arabia because of war in theirhomeland, similarly said the holymonth would begin Thursday in theircountry.
And in Amman, Jordanian religiousauthorities said Ramadan would beginthere on Thursday.
Muslims around the world willmark the start of Ramadan onThursday, a month of intense prayer,dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightlyfeasts.
Muslims follow a lunar calendarand a moon-sighting methodologythat can lead to different countriesdeclaring the start of Ramadan a dayor two apart. However, this year reli-gious authorities in Saudi Arabia,Egypt, Iran, Indonesia and mostother parts of the world announcedbased on their sightings of the moonthat daily fasting would beginThursday.
Authorities in Pakistan have yet toannounce the sighting of the moon.
During Ramadan, observantMuslims abstain from eating anddrinking from sunrise to sunset for theentire month. A single sip of water or apuff of a cigarette is consideredenough to invalidate the fast.
The fast is intended to bring thefaithful closer to God and to remindthem of the suffering of those less for-tunate. Muslims often give to charitiesduring the month, and mosques andaid organizations organize free mealsfor the public every night.
Fasting also is seen as a way tophysically and spiritually detoxifythrough exercising self-restraint.Sexual intercourse between spousesalso is off-limits during the day,while Muslims also are encouragedto be mindful of their behavior and toavoid gossiping, cursing and quarrel-ing.
KUNA photoSheikh Salman during the meeting with members of Higher Committee for Theater Arts.
Photo by Mohammad MorsiPeople shop at Mubarakiya Market for Ramadan which starts on Thursday, June 18.
This year, Ramadan falls during thesummer, which means long and hotdays of fasting. Mainstream scholarsadvise Muslims in northern Europeancountries with 16 hours or more ofdaylight to follow the cycle of fastingof the nearest Muslim majority nationto them to avoid impossibly longhours without food or water.
Chairwoman Pia Jardi at theFinnish Muslim Union in Helsinkisaid Muslims there will be fastingfor 21 hours and have just threehours — or even less — for eating,drinking and prayer before the sunrises again.
“The good thing is that you’ll eatwith moderation and that you’ll stickvery much into the true, simple spiritof Ramadan,” Jardi said. “Long fast-
ing time means you rarely want to eatheavily.”
The world’s 1.6 billion Muslimstraditionally break their fast like theProphet Muhammad did around1,400 years ago, with a sip of waterand some dates at sunset. Then fami-ly and friends gather for a large feast.Part of the evening is often spent atthe mosque in prayers called“taraweeh.”
Children, the elderly, the sick,women who are pregnant or menstru-ating and people traveling are not obli-gated to fast. Non-Muslims or adultMuslims not observing the fast whoeat in public during the day inRamadan can be fined or even jailed insome Middle Eastern countries, suchas Saudi Arabia and the United Arab
Emirates, home to large Western expa-triate populations in Dubai and AbuDhabi.
“Our prayers are probably a bitshorter than in other Muslim coun-tries,” said Jardi, a native Finn whoconverted to Islam some 30 years ago.“The good thing is that you’ll eat withmoderation and that you’ll stick verymuch into the true, simple spirit ofRamadan. Long fasting time meansyou rarely want to eat heavily.”
Fasting during Ramadan is one ofthe five pillars of Islam, along with theMuslim declaration of faith, dailyprayer, charity and performing the hajjpilgrimage in Mecca.
Muslims celebrate the end ofRamadan with a three-day holidaycalled Eid al-Fitr.
Photo by Mohammad Morsi
A Kuwaiti shopping for dates, which is the main fruit with which Muslims break their fast.
Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Fawaz Al-Khalid Al-Sabah Tuesday received in his officeMubarak Al-Kabeer Governor Ret. General Ahmad Abdulatif Al-Rujaib. During the meet-ing, the two officials deliberated on several issues of mutual concern. Sheikh Fawazstressed the need to continue joint efforts, cooperation and consultations between the two
governorates for positive effects on citizens and expatriates of Kuwait.
13,000 register for colon cancer diagnosis
KUWAIT CITY, June 17: Head ofMunicipal Council InvestigationCommittee Osama Al-Oteibi has criticizedthe response of Health Ministry and theMinistry of Communications regardingthe harmful effect of telecommunicationtowers, reports Al-Seyassah daily.
In a press statement, Al-Oteibi said thecommittee had asked the ministries to pro-vide results of the study conducted on theharmful effect of telecommunications tow-ers, stressing the importance of complyingwith the standards and regulations set forinstalling telecommunications towers.
He noted the committee and head ofTelecommunications Authority had unani-mously agreed on the regulations, and theauthority is still preparing the executivebylaws which will be enforced withinthree months.
He disclosed the authority will be man-aging the establishment of any telecom-munication tower and issuance of licensesfor that purpose, indicating the committeehas since requested Ministry ofCommunications to present bylaws forapproval of telecommunication towers.
He wondered why neither KuwaitMunicipality nor the Municipal Councilreceived a copy of bylaws issued by theMinistry of Communications, although thecommittee has always stressed the need tobolster coordination among the variousgovernment systems for public interest.
Meanwhile, Al-Oteibi proposed the allo-cation of plots to establish petrol stations in
the areas between Arabian Gulf Street andAl-Shuhada Street, given that only one smallpetrol station serves the areas in question.
Chairperson of the National Program forEarly Detection of Colon Cancer in theMinistry of Health Dr Fahad Al-Ibrahimsays nearly 13,000 citizens below 45 yearsold have applied for colon cancer diagno-sis since the program was launched lastMay, reports Al-Anba daily.
He disclosed that 1000 applicants havegone through diagnosis so far, and the rest ofthem will be served according to timetable.He noted some cases of cancerous tumor andbenign tumor have been detected and treatedto prevent the progression of disease.
Meanwhile, the program is approachingthe conclusion of phase three of awarenesscampaign for early detection of colon can-cer through which 46 workshops havebeen organized according to timetable totrain 1,400 primary healthcare personnelfrom all health districts.
Dr Al-Ibrahim added the campaign cov-ered several meetings with the heads of100 medical centers in cooperation withdoctors from the digestive and binocularunits of hospitals, and the main item forimplementation of the national programhas been awareness policies and protocolsfor transferring cases.
A recent survey indicated colon cancermostly affects both genders, and the rateof infection has increased six times in menand eight times among women in the last20 years.
Al-Oteibi criticizes response on‘harmful effect’ of telecom towers
Knowledge, solidarity, empowermentThe TIES Center is the social and educational hub for expats inKuwait. For more information, please call 97798222/25231015 ore-mail [email protected] or visit www.tiescenter.net.
Unbiased non-Muslim’s testimonials about Prophet Muhammad Many Orientalists before reading
about Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) think of him as a mere mili-tary man who spearheaded nomadArabs in military conquests in variousparts of the Arabian Peninsula andadjacent areas. He was not only a mil-itary leader but was also a spiritualleader who was able to influence hiskith and kin and thus delivered themfrom darkness into light. He was asocial and ethical leader who influ-enced his people by his noble charac-ter and behavior so much so that theynamed him, “the honest and trustwor-thy,” even before he started promul-gating his mission. No objective manor woman, friend or foe had anencounter with Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) and still hated him unless hewas captious or biased.
He only went to war after receivingclassified information that some poly-theists and their allies were bent onattacking Muslims. Moreover, when-ever civilians regardless of color, eth-nicity and religion, in the then extend-ed empires were oppressed and resort-
ed to him for help and succor, hewould then fight on their behalf - andafter victory - never forced any of themto embrace Islam. In most cases, civil-ians from occupied territories used toseek his help to manumit them fromtheir respective tyrannical empires.
What Some Unbiased Non-Muslim Scholars said or wroteabout him:
Michael H. Hart, an American his-torian, in his book, “A Ranking of the100 Most Influential People inHistory,” has this to say: “My choice ofMuhammad to lead the list of theworld’s most influential persons maysurprise some readers and may bequestioned by others, but he was theonly man in history who was supreme-ly successful on both the religious andsecular levels. Of humble origins,Muhammad founded and promulgatedone of the world’s great religions, andbecame an immensely effective politi-cal leader. Today, (when the book wasauthored) thirteen centuries after his
death, his influence is still powerfuland perverse.” He further said:“Muhammad, however, was responsi-ble for both; the theology of Islam andits main ethical and moral principals.In addition, he played the key role inproselytizing the new faith, and inestablishing the religious practices ofIslam.” (The 100 - A Ranking of theMost Influential Persons in History,pages 33 till 40)
Bernard Shaw said: “If he werealive today he would succeed in solv-ing all those problems, which threatento destroy human civilizPoation in ourtime.”
Lamartine, a renowned historianof our time, questions the world onthe essentials of human greatness inthe following words: “If greatness ofpurpose, smallness of means, andastounding results are the three crite-ria of human genius, who could dareto compare any great man in modernhistory with Muhammad? The mostfamous men created arms, laws and
empires only. They founded, if any-thing at all, no more than materialpowers which often crumbled awaybefore their eyes. This man moved notonly armies, legislation, empires, peo-ples and dynasties, but millions ofmen in one third of the then inhabitedworld. And more than that, he movedaltars, gods, religions, ideas, beliefsand souls...”
Thomas Carlyle in his ‘Heroesand Hero-Worship,’ was simplyamazed as to how one man single-handed could weld warring tribes andwandering Bedouins into a most pow-erful and civilized nation in less thantwo decades.
Note that no one bribed thesefamous educated men to say the afore-mentioned statements about ProphetMuhammad (PBUH). Those state-ments were pronounced after objectiveand unbiased researches about the lifeof that great man and the impact of hismission on his followers.
Gostav Lobone in his book enti-
tled, “Life of Facts,” writes: “Whatwe see from some founders of somereligions, is that we do have quite a bitof information about them likeProphet Muhammad (PBUH).However, we see that the life of thefounder of Christianity - Jesus Christ— we find that we have some isalmost ambiguous.” (History ofChristianity by Al-Shaya, page 35)
An Orator of Arabia prophesieswho prophesized the coming ofProphet Muhammad (PBUH) Amongthe people who used to worship Allah(SWT) according to the AbrahamicLaw and the teachings of Ishmael wasQus bin Sa’edah from the Iyaadi tribe.He was famous as an orator, sage, andintellectual; enjoying a great degreeof acumen, insight and magnanimity.He used to exhort people to worshipAllah alone (Tawheed) and to shunthe worship of idols, which was ram-pant at that time. Moreover, he used tobelieve in the resurrection andJudgment Day - doctrines that the vastmajority of Arabs at that time didn’tbelieve in. He used to prophesize the
advent of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH).
Abu Nuaim in his book entitled“Signs of Prophet-hood” recordedthat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleasedwith him and his father) said, “Indeed,Qus bin Sa’edah, used to preach to hispeople in the market of Ukaadh. Oncehe said, “Truth will once emerge andbe known from this side” while point-ing with his hand towards Makkah.They asked him, “And what is thistruth?” He replied, “A man from theoffspring of Luayy bin Ghaalib willinvite you to the word of sincerity,everlasting life and bliss that doen’tend. Therefore, when he invites you,hearken to his call. If I knew that Iwould live during that time — whenhe begins his mission — I would bethe first one to hasten towards him.”
Qus bin Sa’edah met and saw theProphet (PBUH) but died before hismessengership. (Prophetic Biographyin the light of the Holy Quran andSunnah, volume 1, page 80)
Sheikh Salman calls for revival of theater artsMinister of Information and Ministerof State for Youth Affairs SheikhSalman Sabah Salem Al-HumoudAl-Sabah urged on Wednesdaythat more attention be made toreviving theater arts in Kuwait.
He said that at a meeting he hadwith members of the HigherCommittee for Theater Arts, said apress statement by the Ministry ofInformation.
He emphasized the need to reviseold guidelines for work in theaters
including finding permanent loca-tions for the nation’s four public the-ater groups. He also said that gov-ernment annual financial support oftheater groups should be reviewed.
On the other hand he urged pri-vate and public sectors’ support tothe theater and stage-craft scene inthe country.
Moreover, the minister encouragedlocal theater groups to take part ininternational theatrical festivals and toset up annual competitions with
prizes for the best writing for stage.Chief among the committee’s
members at the meeting with theminister was Ali Al-Youha, who isdeputy chairman of the committeeand secretary general of theNational Council for Culture, Arts,and Letters. Al-Youha said thecommittee would do its utmost totake into advisement the minister’sremarks and would exert doubleefforts at pushing ahead the workof theater groups. (KUNA)
