KUWAIT CITY, Dec 20: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah received on Wednesday several cables from top Kuwaiti officials, congratulating him on taking the constitutional oath, becoming the 17th Amir of the State of Kuwait. In his cable, Speaker of the National Assembly Ahmad Al-Saadoun congratulated His Highness the Amir on taking the oath, saying that the parliament and people of Kuwait appreciated the leading role played by His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad in the previous period. He commended His Highness Sheikh Mishal for his strong support to the late Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah who on his part fulfilled his duty in serving the Kuwaiti people and protecting the country’s interests. He asserted that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was up to the task of leading the State of Kuwait into a much prosperous and promising future.

Success
In a similar cable addressed to His Highness the Amir, His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah -- Chief of the Kuwait National Guard (KNG) -- congratulated Sheikh Mishal on taking the constitutional oath, expressing support and wishes of success and welfare to His Highness.

Meanwhile, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, in his cable, congratulated His Highness the Amir on assuming the post, commending His Highness for all the efforts and sacrifices he made to serve Kuwait and its people. He expressed wishes of welfare and good health to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal, hoping that he would continue to succeed in his position as leader of the country and the Kuwaiti people.

On his part, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, congratulating him on taking oath during the special session of parliament earlier today. He wished His Highness the Amir all the success in leading the Kuwaiti people and the country into future prosperity and development. In his reply cables to the top officials, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah thanked them for their sincere wishes and hopes, affirming that he would continue efforts to better serve Kuwait and meet the expectations of the Kuwaiti people.

Legacy
Parliament Speaker Ahmad Al-Saadoun said the late Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah left an immortal legacy and notable imprints in development and political reform, saying His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah will complete process of building the state by constitutional values. “The heart grieves and the eyes shed tears, everyone is saddened by the parting of the late Amir, may Allah the Almighty have mercy on him and bless him,” Al-Saadoun said in a speech in a special session of the National Assembly. “The loss is painful, and the sorrow is deep in all hearts, to whom was known as a wise leader and a person who gave without limits,” he pointed out.

The late Amir was a guide who was patient with generous pardons, a ruler who believed in the value of tolerance, and responding to the needs of people, he mentioned. The late Amir undertook national duties, leaving an immortal legacy through his well-known words rooted in the conscience, taking the responsibility of work in the areas of development, achievement and political reform, he said.

The people of Kuwait have followed with great pride what His Highness Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad has done, in managing the government in all that is in the interest of the country and its people, since the issuance of the Amiri decree on November 15, 2021, he explained. Al-Saadoun pledges to His Highness the Amir today, with loyalty and sincerity, to be as trustworthy as His Highness the Amir and cooperate with the executive authority to shape the new era, he indicated.

On behalf of MPs, Al-Saadoun congratulated His Highness the Amir for the leadership of the present and future of Kuwait, he pointed out. He asked Allah the Almighty to direct His Highness the Amir’s steps on the path of goodness and grant him success, he mentioned, to to complete the goals of sustainable development. First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Talal Khaled Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on Wednesday congratulated His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on assuming office.

“In the past, we warned about threats to our nation. We need to maintain our national unity and security, and work hard to boost our economy and improve the people’s living conditions,” HH the Amir stressed; while urging the two authorities to exert concerted efforts and spread positivism to preserve the national identity in the service of the nation. He went on to say that the political leadership shall remain close to all parties and closely monitor developments in the local arena, calling on the lawmakers to be objective in questioning ministers within the purview of the Constitution and the law. HH the Amir then paid tribute to HH the late Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah expressing his deep sadness and heartbreak over the death of the latter. He highlighted the remarkable achievements of HH the late Amir in serving his people and his nation; stressing that the late Amir greatly contributed to the development and prosperity of the country.

He described the late Amir as “a model of humility and forgiveness.” HH the Amir affirmed that the memory of HH the late Amir will remain vivid forever. He then indicated that as he grieves, he cannot say anything more than a quote from the Holy Quran: “Surely, we belong to Allah and Him we shall return.” HH the Amir expressed gratitude to the people of Kuwait, leaders of sisterly and friendly countries, whoever offered condolences, as well as those who could not, because of the huge crowd and those who sent cables of condolences and expressed condolences through the media.

“To everyone I say: Thank you for your sentiments and for sharing our grief.” Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Ahmed Al-Saadoun also expressed grief over the passing of HH the late Amir Sheikh, stating that “eyes are full of tears and hearts are deeply sad.” He cited the Holy Quran, Sura Al Baqarah, Verse 156: “Who, when afflicted with a calamity say, ‘Truly, to Allah we belong and truly to Him we shall return.’” He lauded HH the late Amir; stressing he was “a wise leader, a generous man who gave without limit, a tolerant guide and a righteous ruler committed to humility, closeness to all of his people, concerned about their demands and an excellent provider of their needs.”

He said HH the late Amir passed away after a reign preceded by many years of bearing responsibility in different positions, leaving remarkable fingerprints in every place. He pointed out that the actions and statements of HH the late Amir will always be the beacon inspiring generations that seek guidance and correct advice in economic development and political reform. He implored Allah Almighty to have mercy on HH the late Amir and put him in Paradise. He also prayed to Allah Almighty to support HH the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al- Sabah in completing the construction of the State of Kuwait on constitutional foundations. Addressing HH the Amir, Al-Saadoun said: “The people of Kuwait have been following up on the help and support that you provided to HH the late Amir during his reign; especially after the issuance of the Amiri Decree on Nov 15, 2021 assigning to you some of the constitutional authorities granted to the Amir.”

By Mohammed Ghanem
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff and Agencies