Minister meets directors of intermediate schools

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 24: Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mudhi Al-Humoud has instructed all schools not to discuss any sectarian or doctrinal issue in school under any circumstances, Al-Qabas daily quoted Director General of Hawalli Educational Zone Mona Al-Salal as saying.

During her meeting with directors of intermediate schools in South Surra on the occasion of the start of the new academic year 2010-2011, Al-Salal said a school director should serve as a role model and 'pump' the spirit of national unity in the school. "He or she should bear full responsibility if the minister's instructions in this regard are not followed," she added.

Al-Salal also called on school directors to submit their recommendations or ideas that will help in boosting patriotic spirit among students.

Meanwhile, it seems pressure was mounted on the government to withdraw the citizenship from Yasir Al-Habib. However, any decision on revoking the Kuwaiti nationality from individuals for political or religious reasons is extremely dangerous, reports Al-Seyassah daily quoting MP Saleh Ashour.
In a statement to the press, Al-Ashour stressed the law should have been applied by referring Al-Habib to the judiciary. He trusts the court would have been honest to identify the proper punishment for his action. Nevertheless, the government has unintentionally given Al-Habib immunity with its decision to pursue him, and once the Interpol rejected Kuwait's demand to trail him while he was still a Kuwaiti citizen, I believe there's nothing to be done since he is no longer a Kuwaiti.

He added the turn of events has opened the door for discussion of the dual citizenship file, and "The file will be re-opened, and we will insist on withdrawing the Kuwaiti citizenship from any person holding another country's nationality". He is of the view that individuals could be loyal to one country at a time, urging the government must apply the same policy against other individuals insulting the Shiite doctrine.
In the meantime, parliamentary sources are wondering reasons behind the delay in announcing details of the Amiri amnesty that was approved by late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The Justice minister at the time Ahmad Baqer stated that Yasir Al-Habib's name had been listed on the Amiri amnesty file by an unidentified authority, reports Al-Dar daily.

Sources doubted if the Interior Ministry and the concerned government authorities investigated the issue to uncover manipulations in that concern. If so, why has the government declined to announce the outcome to the public?

Sources expected some MPs will propose grilling against the concerned minister to expose who had released Al-Habib from the jail and allowed him to leave the country, besides promoting his damned stances against Sunnis and Shiites. Moreover, Yasir's cousin -- Ismail Al-Habib confirmed the family supports government's procedures as long as it will help curb any chaos to serve the public interests, reports Al-Rai daily.

He is optimistic the law will be applied to all people, and noted the family has not communicated with Yasir, ever since he left the country.

© Arab Times 2010