Amir offers condolences on passing of political icon

KUWAIT CITY, March 7: Influential Kuwaiti political figure Dr. Ahmad Al- Khatib, who played a key role in the country’s Independence and transition to a democratic parliamentary system as well as regional politics, passed away at 95 on Sunday. Born in Kuwait City in 1926, Dr. Al-Khatib began his academic life in three of the oldest schools in Kuwait – Al-Mubarakiyah, Al-Anjari and Al-Ahmadiyah – before making his mark in politics domestically and regionally. From Kuwaiti schools’ early system of Al-Katatib, which focused on the teachings of the Quran, alongside basic writing and arithmetic, he moved to Lebanon, where he graduated from the American University in Beirut as the first surgeon in Kuwait’s history in 1952. It is here he ventured into political activism, establishing, along with several friends, the Al-Qawmeyeen Al-Arab movement, translated as The Arab Nationalists in 1951.

After Kuwait gained its independence in 1961, Dr. Al-Khatib, having had his own practice in the country after working for a number of years at the Amricani Hospital, became Vice President of the Constituent Assembly, which approved the Kuwaiti Constitution in a decision made by the late Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, who sought to establish a democratic system and binding constitution emanating from the people. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable of condolence to the family of the late Dr. Al-Khatib. In the cable, His Highness the Amir expressed his sincere condolences as well as his gratitude to Dr. Al-Khatib’s contributions to best serve the country throughout his career, especially in the parliamentary work, through his membership in the Constituent Assembly. (KUNA)