http://arabtimesonline.com Add News en-US admin@arabtimesonline.com This article is first of all intended to address the expatriate readers, particularly non-Muslims, who may not know much about either Islam or the Holy Qur'an. At the same time it may also be interesting for our Muslim brothers although they will be... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143948/reftab/69/t/the-Holy-Qur-an-and-its-place-in-a-mosque/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:00:00 GMT MUNTAZAR AL-ZAIDI, the Iraqi journalist who made history by hurling his shoes at the then US President George W. Bush during the latter's visit to Baghdad in December 2008, was released Tuesday after serving one-third of his three-year jail term. Mu... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143945/reftab/69/t/We-don-t-need--flying-shoes-/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:00:00 GMT IT'S my honor to share with the Muslim and non-Muslim readers of the Arab Times my reflections during this holy month. I extend my greetings to all of you on this occasion. My first Ramadan in Kuwait was in October 1985. At that time I did not know ... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143942/reftab/69/t/Forever-young/Default.aspx John Fernandes Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:00:00 GMT THE so-called Kuwait-Iraq case began when Iraq invaded Kuwait on Aug 2, 1990. This led to the issuance of Security Council resolution No. 660, which criminalised the aggression. Several other resolutions have been issued since then - a total of 12... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143939/reftab/69/t/Kuwait-Iraq-file--malicious-calls/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:00:00 GMT DESPITE the claims of some fundamentalists, Ramadan is the month of self-discipline, peace, and tolerance. In other words, imagining that Ramadan is the prime time for selfish or destructive acts aimed against others goes against the basic tenets of... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143936/reftab/69/t/Self-discipline-and-tolerance/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 13 Sep 2009 21:00:00 GMT WHENEVER, I am aware of surveillance cameras on the road, my speed is automatically controlled. On approaching the site of the camera my foot presses the break and my eyes shift to the speedometer to make sure that I am within the speed limit. I won... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143930/reftab/69/t/Change-begins-with-ourselves/Default.aspx John Fernandes Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:00:00 GMT WE heard the story of a Kuwaiti and a Bedoun who returned from Afghanistan recently. They were shocked when they discovered that consuming and planting hashish are part of the daily activities of 'jihadists' in Afghanistan, instead of reading the Qu... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143927/reftab/69/t/Have-clerics-heard-of-Mohammed-Lal/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:00:00 GMT Every time I read and watch Arabic-language media outlets cover the story of prisoner's exchange of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, I wonder about the dynamics that enabled the Israeli cunning PR machine to pe... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143924/reftab/69/t/Gilad-Shalit-in-the-Arab-media/Default.aspx John Fernandes Tue, 08 Sep 2009 21:00:00 GMT Assalamualaikum! The Holy Month of Ramadan gives us all a chance to practise self-restraint and reflect on the state of our spiritual lives. But at the same time that we are looking inwards, we should also take the opportunity to look outwards ... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143922/reftab/69/t/Two--equal--in-marriage/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:00:00 GMT RAMADAN, which began on the 22nd of August, offers an opportunity to reflect upon the surge in religious observance and ritual across the Islamic and Arab worlds and what the future might bring. For the last three decades, an Islamic revival has hel... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143918/reftab/69/t/Islam-within-Islam/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 06 Sep 2009 21:00:00 GMT WITH all the problems Kuwait is currently facing, people are always quick to point the finger at the perceived culprit. People have become talented at producing conspiracy theories. Although accusations may sometimes be spot on and a conspiracy may ... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143915/reftab/69/t/We-rise-or-fall-on--educators-/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 05 Sep 2009 21:00:00 GMT AFTER the fall of the Ottoman Empire many regions became no man's land, especially Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Palestine. The British Empire had given the Balfour Declaration to the Jews, stating "His Majesty's government is in favor of the esta... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143912/reftab/69/t/Will-there-be-peace-in-ME/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 04 Sep 2009 21:00:00 GMT REPORTS about the latest al-Qaeda attack, which targeted Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister of Interior Prince Mohammed bin Naif confused me. Allegedly, the suicide bomber, who came from Yemen, requested a meeting with the Prince as he wanted to turn hi... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143909/reftab/69/t/Al-Qaeda-now-using-the-rule/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:00:00 GMT WE should have a special interest in the environment - after all, it is where we live, work and raise our children. A healthy environment improves our quality of life. We must coordinate our efforts to protect the environment to keep ourselves hea... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143907/reftab/69/t/Going-green-your-choice/Default.aspx John Fernandes Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:00:00 GMT ON a normal day, sitting in my car at a stop light, I found the driver in the car beside me dumping his trash on the street; the scene was very disturbing to me. As he turned his head our eyes met. When I gave him a look of contempt, he showed no sh... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143903/reftab/69/t/Right-and-reality/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:00:00 GMT KUWAIT is blessed with a beautiful constitution. The laws are in place, but the problem arises when it comes to the application of laws. In my opinion, the government is to be blamed for this state of affairs. When we look at the way successive gove... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143900/reftab/69/t/Corruption-tied-to--weak--govt/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:00:00 GMT THE Islamic month of fasting is considered the Fourth Pillar of Islam. Fasting not only a means of abstaining from eating from dawn to dusk, but it extends to include abstaining from things which are forbidden. During this holy month of fasting we k... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143896/reftab/69/t/A-Ramadan-for-all/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:00:00 GMT 'I am not as young as I used to be!' This is true of all of us and something that has been exercising my mind of late. As I age my body lets me down more and more and the good health I have taken for granted all my life is not guaranteed any longer.... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143894/reftab/69/t/Thank-your-lucky-stars/Default.aspx John Fernandes Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:00:00 GMT ACCORDING to a report published recently in a daily newspaper, the instigators of crises in the Parliament are allegedly preparing to present a 'package' of grilling requests.  Instead of preparing legislation and recommendations in the interest of ... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143890/reftab/69/t/Achievements-of--instigators-/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:00:00 GMT MANY people see the holy month of Ramadan simply as a duty to abstain from dawn to dusk from drink, food, smoking and other indulgences.  Seen in this light, they are missing its true purpose. Abstinence from food, drink or smoking makes them nervou... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143887/reftab/69/t/Act-responsibly/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:00:00 GMT AS a young boy in the 1950s, I used to watch my late father listen attentively to the radio. I remember that he had a radio with a relatively big battery, and the trademark of the radio was "PYE". I do not believe that this trademark is available th... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143884/reftab/69/t/BBC-Arabic/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:00:00 GMT I SPENT much of this summer in Kuwait and to be honest it was really pleasant and relaxing. I sometimes wonder why people insist on leaving Kuwait immediately once schools break, except perhaps for those who are heading home to visit family. Kuwait ... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143880/reftab/69/t/This-summer-of-discontent/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:00:00 GMT ONE of the most important issues related to organ transplantation is related to finding donors. In Kuwait, organ transplantation as a concept has come to be accepted. However, donors are not readily available. This has opened the door to the commerc... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143878/reftab/69/t/Be-more-open-to--organ-donation-/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:00:00 GMT WE are all familiar with the sight of mangled wrecks of vehicles littering the roadsides of Kuwait. Distressing as that is, it is even more traumatic to see a broken human body strewn on the tarmac. The biggest cause of death among young people in K... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143875/reftab/69/t/The-road-to-Heaven/Default.aspx John Fernandes Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:00:00 GMT By Gé©za Fehé©rvári Special to the Arab Times Perfumation and thurification have very long history and can be traced back to prehistoric times. For thurification various types of incense burners were and are used until this day. For pe... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143151/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 28 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Labeed Abdal Lawyer KUWAIT was accused of setting obstacles in the path of those who practice religions other than Islam in recent media reports, including the annual US State Department report on religious freedom. The Kuwaiti ... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143148/reftab/69/t/Back-multi-faith-culture/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 27 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Khawla Atheeqi Women's rights activist WOMEN in Kuwait won their political rights after a long, drawn-out struggle extending over several decades. It was a very sweet victory. However, we should bear in mind that women in politi... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143145/reftab/69/t/Yet-to-taste-true-fruits-of--rights-/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT THERE are 550,000 housemaids from India, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Ethiopia living in Kuwait, according to the Ministry of Interior. To put that into context, that is just under 20 percent of the total population of Kuwait, or one house... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143144/reftab/69/t/Treat--causes--of-maid-abuse/Default.aspx John Fernandes Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Ali Ahmed Al-Baghli Former Minister of Oil KUWAIT'S rank in the latest US State Department report on freedom of religion and interfaith tolerance was lower compared to its standing in previous years. This is disheartening for Ku... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143141/reftab/69/t/Lash-at-hand-of-extremists/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT Assalamualaikum! Fate, destiny, luck are all intertwined words that describe an event, or a course of events, that will inevitably happen in the future, as if the course of events is predetermined. Anything that goes against our desires and expectat... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143138/reftab/69/t/Don-t-blame-God-for-our-failures/Default.aspx John Fernandes Tue, 23 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT I HAD never met an ambassador before I came to Kuwait. Although I have worked in a broad variety of contexts, I had not been in a situation where there was contact with the  diplomatic community. Secretly, I believed that the diplomatic corps was an... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143135/reftab/69/t/Many--bridges--friendships-built/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT AS WE return from our summer holidays and settle back into our daily routines we all share our holiday memories of the summer that was. We speak of our trips abroad, the historical sites we visited, the delicious cuisine we savoured, the shopping sp... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143134/reftab/69/t/Summer-that-was/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Stephen M. Wright Former Chaplain at St Paul's, Ahmadi KUWAIT has quite a reputation at this end of the Gulf (I am writing from Dubai). Of course the media here in Dubai is full of boasting about things that are not yet built an... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143130/reftab/69/t/Glory-or-trust/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 20 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Luis Suarez Chairman, American Business Council - Kuwait Dear Kuwaiti and American friends, To the State of Kuwait, our hosts, please accept my sincere best wishes on the occasion of the Holy Month of Ramadan. To my fellow Ame... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143127/reftab/69/t/Come-together/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Amer Al-Hilal Former Diplomat THE Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) stated: "He whom Allah gives his authority of ruling people and fulfils not their needs and treat their poverty but Allah will not fulfill his need nor treat his property... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143126/reftab/69/t/Stakes-high/Default.aspx John Fernandes Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Ali Ahmed Al-Baghli Former Minister of Oil The French revolution left painful memories due to the destruction of Bastille Prison in the same manner that Kuwait Municipality, which represents the Kuwaiti government, demolished encroa... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143123/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Shafeeq Ghabra, Professor of Political Science at Kuwait University  & President of Jusoor Arabiya. By 2008 the trail of religious violence across the Arab world cannot be missed. In recent years, various aspects of the secu... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143120/reftab/69/t/Islamists-slow-empowerment/Default.aspx John Fernandes Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT Dr Bibi Al Amiri Kuwaiti Doctor "All people are equal in human dignity and in public rights and duties before the law, without distinction to race, origin, language, or religion." - Article 29, Kuwait Constitution 1962. In July 2... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143117/reftab/69/t/End-politics-of-exclusion/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Faisal Al-Qina'ei Secretary-General Kuwait Journalists Association Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is a duty of every Muslim but it is nice to see non-Muslims sharing this feeling with us. For example I have three non-... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143114/reftab/69/t/A-part-of-us/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 14 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Aziz Mamuji Director of a leading Consulting Engineers firm Read Mark Twain's famous hammer as power, and its sad and indiscriminate abuse immediately comes to mind. Just because one has the power, nails aplenty can be and are b... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143111/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 13 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Yousef Mubarak Al-Mubaraki Kuwaiti Businessman, Writer THE actual domain of blocs in the incumbent National Assembly can be determined through the line of defense for the minister of oil, electricity and water on the fourth ref... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143108/reftab/69/t/Refinery--tender--for-transparency/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Dr Mirza Umair Beg Senior Scientist, KISR, Kuwait WHEN my son was about six years old he used to get angry for every small thing. Whenever he used to get angry my wife would patiently tell him "Now you are under the devil's cont... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143107/reftab/69/t/How-to-manage--anger--in-Islam/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Ali Ahmed Al-Baghli Former Minister of Oil Thursday marks the seventh anniversary of the so-called 9/11 attack on the US, which was engineered by al-Qaeda terrorists under the leadership of Osama Bin Laden - a fugitive.  We should... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143104/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Claudia Farkas Al-Rashoud EVERYONE appreciates a good story when they hear one, which is why storytelling is the world's oldest art. As long as humans have had language there have been storytellers sharing tales of brave deeds, ... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143100/reftab/69/t/The-storyteller/Default.aspx John Fernandes Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Jeff de Lange WHEN I was asked last year to write my thoughts for "After Iftar" I felt honoured and wondered what thoughts I might have that anyone else would be interested in! To be asked back is a real pleasure but again, I wo... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143096/reftab/69/t/Don-t-lose-touch-with-your-roots/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Rev Andy Thompson St Paul's Anglican Church, Ahmadi I ALWAYS feel more spiritually alive when I come to Kuwait. During the month of Ramadan I am especially reminded of how important God is to so many people. It is quite a contra... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143090/reftab/69/t/Spiritual-hunger/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Dr Ibrahim Behbehani THE greatness of Islam lies in its ability to unite people since it does not discriminate between customs and nationalities. This provides a link between people in Asia and Europe without them knowing or having... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143087/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 06 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Cezary Owerkowicz Special to the Arab Times 'RAMADAN'. I have been familiar with this word for over two decades. Today, in hind sight, those days appear prehistoric. Can you imagine a world without Internet, or the multiplicity of t... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143084/reftab/69/t/In-a-word/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Jalila Al-Qattan Kuwaiti Writer AS I WRITE this essay, I am currently out of Kuwait and having to spend Ramadan in the beautiful and charming Italy. Fortunately, we have satellite and so we get to tune into Kuwait and other Gulf... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143083/reftab/69/t/The-passion-of-Ramadan/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Ali Al-Baghli Former Minister of Oil CONSTITUTIONS and the rule of law govern developed nations. Every institution has its own specialty and nobody can overstep it. We should thank Allah because modern Kuwaiti institutions have ... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143080/reftab/69/t/Baqer-s-secret/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Khaled Aljenfawi RAMADAN is a curious Arabic word, which carries interesting meanings. It comes from an archaic verb, no longer used in daily Arabic, whether classical or vernacular: Ramadh -  or as pronounced in classical Arab... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143077/reftab/69/t/Finding-peace/Default.aspx John Fernandes Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Amer Theyab Al-Tameemi KUWAIT strived in the last 70 years to advance the status of women in society. In 1936, Kuwait adopted an educational system which allowed females to enroll in schools despite the resistance from conservat... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143074/reftab/69/t/-Change-minds--to-raise-women/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Lidia Qattan Kuwaiti Writer, Artist Ramadan is a special month, in which though fasting appears to be the main objective and pious duty for many, it is but an ephemeral aspect of the greater spiritual portent Ramadan holds. Huma... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143072/reftab/69/t/Call-to-compassion/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:00:00 GMT By Gé©za Fehé©rvé¡ri Special to the Arab Times During the last few years the southern Afghanistan town of Ghazna or Ghazni has been frequently in the news. This article, however, is not going to deal with today's town and its miseries it h... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142558/reftab/69/t/THE-BRONZES-OF-GHAZNI/Default.aspx John Fernandes Tue, 09 Oct 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Dr M. U. Beg Senior Scientist, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait THE dawn of the next Islamic month will see Kuwait bustling with life and vigor. It will be the day of Eid Al-Fitr. As the sun is about to rise, people ... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142554/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 08 Oct 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Jalila Qattan What is age to souls? Does the soul have an age? It is one of those things that have no meaning, relevance, or impact. Age, color, race, status, name, citizenship, height, width, etc they are human traits we use to sep... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142550/reftab/69/t/True-essence-of-humanity/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 07 Oct 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Stephen M.Wright Former chaplain, St Paul's Ahmadi It is four years since I was in Kuwait but now I'm back sitting in the morning breeze on a friend's balcony in Salwa. The last two days a whirl of memories recalled - sights a... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142544/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 06 Oct 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Amer Theyab Al-Tameemi WE were very young children when some Iraqi military officers toppled the monarchic regime on July 14, 1958. At that time it was difficult to ask about the wisdom of such a change in the governmental system.... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142540/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Ali Al-Baghli Former Minister of Oil IF PEOPLE don't have an 'elderly' person to lead them they must get one. Here by an 'elderly' person I don't mean in age but in wisdom. Every society - business and political, country and even a f... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142534/reftab/69/t/The-superpower/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 03 Oct 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Ubedur Rahman Arain Assalamoalaikum! Lao Tzu, the venerable Chinese philosopher stated, "Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment." As Muslims, we are acutely aware of the importance of self reflection in the pat... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142531/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Cezary Owerkowicz Chairman of Kuwait Chamber of Philharmonia Ramadan is a good time to reflect on life. But are we doing it? There may be some people who reflect on such deep issues. Humanity for millennia has been trying to find ans... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142528/reftab/69/t/How-to-live-in-harmony/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 01 Oct 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Mubarak Al-Mutawa Lawyer, Mubarak Al-Mutawa & Partners Human mind is naturally attuned to seek peace and security. People who are wise and prudent will strive to achieve these attributes in their life. However, human life is fra... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142524/reftab/69/t/-Voice-of-wisdom-can-t-be-expunged-/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 30 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Boghos Mardirossian Author, political and economical analyst It is anyone's guess why people in the Middle East are so concerned about politics and talk about it every day. They criticize various issues, analyze them and in the ... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142522/reftab/69/t/Mideast-addicted-to-politics/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 29 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Mariam Al-Foudery WHEN I was a high school senior, before shopping malls and Bluetooth had become central pillars of Kuwaiti youth culture, our idea of a good time was a "food-a-thon" on weekend nights. We would meet at the Sult... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142518/reftab/69/t/Start-listening-to-youth/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Ali Ahmad Al-Baghli Former Oil Minister PARLIAMENTARY and the diplomatic immunity is given to persons for a specific purpose based on certain rules which should be followed. This immunity aims at providing a safe atmosphe... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142515/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Hashim Majed Chairman of Al-Huqooq International THE NEED to hire domestic servants for house chores, such as cooking food for the family, taking care of the children and cleaning the house - chores which normally would have been ... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142512/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Tue, 25 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Sam & Beam Thompson AFTER more than six years in Kuwait we have come to appreciate the Ramadan period. In fact, we have come to look forward to it as a time of reflection and adjustment. We have learned that Ramadan is a time to pur... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142507/reftab/69/t/A-Ramadan-message/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 24 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Amer Al-Hilal Former Diplomat I truly believe that the majority of Kuwait and its citizens are upright, compassionate people who believe in charity, in all its forms, and fear God. Indeed, religion is invaluable to the fabric of so... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142504/reftab/69/t/-Shepherds--of-our-conscience/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 23 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Lidia Qattan Kuwaiti artist, writer Everything in this great universe is consequential; every act has a purpose and affects the whole, because everything is connected. The most striking verse and the first that was revealed to t... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142500/reftab/69/t/-Free-thought--communication/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 22 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Dr Ebraheem Behbehani In the Holy Month of Ramadan I am a guest writer for the Arab Times and I send my congratulations to the staff of the newspaper, the media family in general and the entire Muslim community, during the mo... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142495/reftab/69/t/-Accountability--a-must-in-Ramadan/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 21 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT   By Ali Ahmad Al-Baghli Former Oil Minister AFTER ousting Shah Mohammed Reza Pehlavi, instigators of the Islamic revolution in Iran immediately directed their energies to act out their hostility towards Israel - a move tha... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142493/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Thu, 20 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Jeff de Lange 'THAT'S not cricket!' is a well known saying to describe an action which contravenes the rules of fair play and decency.  Those of us closely connected with this great game are very proud of its reputation as a sport w... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142487/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 19 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Amer T. Al-Tameemi Kuwaiti economist HOW to judge the responsibility of a person or a society? In many societies, one may be able to identify certain behaviors that tell whether people are aware of their obligations towards the coun... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142484/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Tue, 18 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Adeeb Shuhaiber Senior English News Presenter, Kuwait TV2 and FM99.7 I HAVE always been intensely fond of movies; they have always been and probably will always be my passion. The art to entertain is unique and those who can ent... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142480/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 17 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT By  Aziz Mamuji Seemingly unrelated ponderables to reflect on. Two people dear to me, both the epitome of selflessness, passed away recently.  He was kind, considerate, humble and giving; she exemplified piety and caring at its best.  ... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142475/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 16 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Professor Shafeeq Ghabra Public opinion polls show that while Arab popular support for US foreign policy is at an all-time low, the popularity of American-style higher education in Arab society is at an all-time high. Given the diffi... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142472/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 15 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Faisal Al-Qanai Secretary-General, Kuwait Journalist's Association The sense of belonging to a nation is an innate feeling common to all humans. It is a profound feeling like a mother's love for her child, and cannot be hidden. Plea... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142468/reftab/69/t/Nation-what-lives-in-you/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT Many expats dread the advent of Ramadan, when eating, drinking, and smoking in public during daylight hours are forbidden and even punished by fines and imprisonment; when cafes and restaurants remain closed until after sunset; when many shops and b... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142477/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT By Ali Ahmad Al-Baghli Former Oil Minister PARLIAMENTARIANS did not react when Zain (Mobile Telecommunications Company) announced its plans to shift the company's headquarters out of Kuwait . The MPs also remained unconc... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142465/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 12 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT