Lawmaker scotches rumours of new Shiite bloc

Speculations about forming a new Shiite bloc have been squashed by a prominent member of the parliament.

"Such blocs are fragile and known for working for only their personal interests," MP Yousuf Al Zalzalah was quoted as saying by a daily, Al Watan, yesterday.

Al Zalzalah slammed various Islamic blocs and said: "Such blocs have certain MPs who deal with the issues only according to their personal interests and affiliations."

He also criticised the government and some lawmakers and accused them "of stabbing each other in the back."

The newspaper quoted him as saying: "Government is incapable of running the country and some ministers are trying to curtail freedom of the press in Kuwait by threatening to close down newspapers if they were to violate the code of conduct."

Key to progress

He said sectarian harmony is the key to progress. "We should keep an eye on anti-social elements who want to sow seeds of sectarianism in our society."

In order to achieve progress and strengthen unity, "all concerned persons should come forward and play an effective and positive role in promoting harmony and tolerance which we inherited from our forefathers," he said.

Meanwhile, according to a survey conducted by Al Watan, Shiite social and religious personalities denounced the "fanatic plots" which are injurious to the unity among different sects of Islam in Kuwait. Abdullah Al Matrouk, a prominent businessman, slammed acts of extremism and urged Kuwaitis to be strong in combating fanaticism and extremism aimed at triggering feud among Islamic sects.

"Religious harmony is the main ingredient for peaceful life and that is what all Kuwaitis should adopt without disrespecting the history of Islamic ancestors, the family of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and His companions because disrespecting the symbols are contradictory to the teachings of Islam and Quran," Al Matrouk said.

Shaikh Abdullah Al Mazeedi, a scholar slammed the alleged fabrication of stories which are causing hostility in the society, especially "during this period when all terrorist activity is being linked to Islam".

— The writer is a journalist based in Kuwait