How does Kuwaiti history, myth and legend relate Alexander the Great, St. George of the Dragon and Al Khidr the "Green Man" of pre-Islamic lore to the island of Failaka, 20km from the southern promontory of Kuwait Bay?

The 21km island at the moment is relatively desolate. unpopulated by the original Failachawis since they were evacuated to the mainland because of the Iraqi invasion when most of the houses were destroyed.

Failaka, part of the Dilmun Empire of Bahrain which flourished between 2300 and 1100 BC, was known as Ikaros by the Greeks who settled there between the third and first centuries BC and used by Alexander the Great as a stopping off port between Mesopotamia and India.

It was the place where the Utubs settled after their long journey prior to their settling on Kuwait's mainland in the late 17th century and is of special importance to some Kuwaitis apart from its historical importance as a land of relics and ancient civilisations.

It is important because it is the place where Al Khidr, reputedly the only soul who has gained immortality from tasting the Ma'ul Hayat (Water of Life) stayed there for some time to make the island verdant and provide it with the underground fresh water that Failaka enjoys even though the mainland was parched.

Al Khidr who survives in legend in all Judeo-Christian religions is known alternatively as the companion of Moses and Alexander the Great, confused with St. George of the Dragon and is also according to popular tradition believed to have travelled with Jesus and was present at the ascension of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

But this story is not about religion or history but about popular beliefs of this mysterious figure who had a Maqam (monument) built in his honour on Failaka Island out of coral from the sea, stones that withstood the ravages of time for hundreds of years and then coloured green to depict the fundamental purity of the world, a symbol for blooming landscapes and everlasting oasis and a colour of sanctity.

Seventy-three-year-old Nasrah Al Banna, a woman who was devoted to Al Khidr, told Gulf News, "Al Khidr a son of a king left the kingdom of his father and travelled everywhere.

"We believed him to be a Nabi, a companion of the great prophets who specially helped women. He was the green man the symbol of fertility and in my time and the time of my mother, grandmother and great grandmother children were our wealth.

"Women travelled from everywhere. And believe me it was a hard journey .… we had to travel for days by sailboat and then take donkeys to get to the Maqam.

There were a lot of stories about Al Khidr. He was connected to Zul Qarnain the Lord of the Two Horns or Iskandar the Great. Some people said it was Maar Gerges (St. George) who was buried beneath the ground.

But there are also monuments to Maar Gerges in Bahrain and Qatar so how was it possible that he would be buried in all these places .... what was important to us was that he listened to us.

"Some women came from as far as Kharg Island to ask Al Khidr for favours. They did not worship him but they respected him as a saint and as a holy person who interceded with God on our behalf.

We called him Khidr Salam Allah Alleh (Khidr may peace be upon him).

The Maqam was kept clean and well maintained by Salha Al Bnaya (Salha the Girl). She was a slave woman from Africa and she never married and devoted herself completely to Al Khidr and to helping other women.

We also believed that he lives forever. he is the mysterious guide of travellers and reveals himself to those who are worthy of his companionship.

Salha Al Bnaya took care of the place until she died. After that the place was uncared for and we trusted that somehow it would survive. it was part of our culture and part of our tradition.

When a wish for a child. or other favour was granted women had to go back to thank Al Khidr with offerings of sweets, and sheep. Salah Al Bnaya would receive these and distribute them among the poor.

"Twenty-five years ago, however, Salafists came to the island and destroyed the Maqam. It was a sad day. Many Kuwaitis were angry, but nobody did anything to stop them. He is mentioned in the Islamic religion so what was the problem."

In the 1980s Islamists of the Wahabi strain destroyed monuments in various countries calling any burial site above ground against the teachings of the Holy Quran.

The Maqam of Al Khidr is gone. In its place lie some of the green painted coral stones that once made up the spiral monument. Only old photographs and memories in a fast fading generation remain.

Archaeologists will be coming in November to Failaka to dig for other civilisations of the past

The memory of Salha Al Bnaya, however, is alive in the sign of a nearby resort that is developing quickly. Motel Salha Al Bnaya the red and white sign reads.