Manama: Kuwait's Emir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah has warned the new members of parliament against political chaos and sectarian tensions that have bedevilled the Gulf state.
"There is an urgent necessity now to establish the necessary framework to exercise rights and ensure there is no slide into ominous chaos," said Shaikh Sabah in his address at yesterday's opening of parliament.
"The recent events have clearly shown deep misunderstandings about rights and duties and the need to address this situation. Some people have mistaken compassion and wisdom as leniency and easiness and I here stress that the negative political developments are a threat to our national unity that we will not tolerate," he said on Tuesday as he inaugurated the third ordinary session of the 13th legislative term of the parliament.
Disparaging remarks
Sectarian tensions between Shiites and Sunnis threatened to erode the country's peace in September after Yasser Habib, a self-imposed Shiite exile, made disparaging remarks about Aisha, wife of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) who is much esteemed by Sunnis. To ease the tension, the government banned rallies and stripped Habib of his Kuwaiti citizenship.
The emir now wants the country to move forward with a new mindset that makes Kuwait's interests top priority.
Attempts to break the law and to make Kuwait wade into political and religious quagmire are not acceptable, the emir said.
"The parliament, cabinet, institutions, and citizens should act wisely and stand together against any attempts to disrupt peace in the country." Authorities should work within specified parameters in accordance with constitution to achieve mutual benefit. The emir also called for protecting the democratic system from extremism to avoid negative consequences for the country.
"As our forefathers did, Kuwaitis believe in democracy as a way of life and therefore, its interests should be of our first priority," he was quoted saying by the Kuwait News Agency. Kuwaiti society condemns and rejects irresponsible acts and wants the values of respect and moderation to prevail, he said.
