KUWAIT: The Islamist bloc will convene today or tomorrow to discuss several subjects including a 'grilling motion' that a hard-line lawmaker plans to file against Jamal Al-Shehab, Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs. MP Mohammad Hayef's surprise step to question the minister has caught the Parliament's majority community off guard, according to sources. Most MPs will focus on efforts to talk Hayef out of his plans.
Hayef's decision comes in the wake of an incident where a man was arrested recently for posting offensive remarks against Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) on his Twitter account. The lawmaker plans to question minister Al-Shehab over the lack of monitoring of Hussaniyas( Shiite mosques).
The majority bloc believes that these topics do not live up as subjects that should be given priority ahead of other persistent topics on schedule. For that cause, the MPs plan to convince Hayef into withdrawing the grilling motion or at least put it on hold to give the minister the opportunity to address the matter pertinent with monitoring Hussaniyas.
"The MAIA is legally not allowed to monitor worship places established on private property," said sources who spoke to Al-Rai on condition of anonymity. The 'majority' bloc is also 'not thrilled' with Hayef's decision to file the interpellation motion without coordinating with the bloc's members.
While sources mention attempts made by bloc members to reach out to Hayef, they also indicate that the Islamist lawmaker only selectively targeted some Hussaniyas in Kuwait.
However, sources close to Hayef said that that he is adamant on filing his grilling motion against Al-Shehab, who is also the state's Minister of Justice, next Tuesday.
"Hayef considers confronting offenders of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), his wives and fellowship in public or inside some Hussaniyas. This is should be top priority also believed to be accorded the same status by all Muslims," said sources.
They further added that Hayef possesses 'audio and video footage' as evidence to support his claims, and is only willing to back away from his plans "if the minister announces a decision to monitor Hussaniyas, the same way mosques are monitored."
© Kuwait Times 2012
