13 April 2010
KUWAIT: The issue of dual citizenship has become the local buzzword lately, present in politicians' statements, diwaniyas and newspaper columnist. The community has been set ablaze with heated debates orbiting around two opposing opinions: One that is pro the government's decision to force dual citizenship holders to revoke one, and the other is against this decision, seeing it as a limitation on the freedom of choice.
The Kuwait Times spoke to a number of Kuwaitis on the subject to find out more about what is worrying them. Abu Yousif, a Kuwaiti in his mid thirties claims that it is impossible to force people to revoke their other citizenships. "In Kuwait, we have always had non-Kuwaitis living amongst us and help us build the country. We have had Saudis, Iranians and Egyptians and Palestinians, and to question their loyalty to Kuwait is insulting; this is the only home they know," he said.
Abu Yousif believes that those holding other citizenships do not necessarily mean to show less loyalty and devotion to Kuwait. It is a matter of personal interest. "I have friends who have Saudi passports, Saudi relatives and have the opportunity to go live in Saudi Arabia forever," he says stressing that their love and loyalty to Kuwait is what keeps them in the country despite the fact that the conditions are unstable with what he calls a 'child-play parliament.'
Echoing similar sentiments. Noor Al-Qatam thinks that the issue has been blown out of proportion to distract people from more crucial issues. "This is only creating more divides amongst the people; it could be dealt with in a more swift way where the government would start a policy to apply all rules with no exceptions," she says. Al-Qatam believes that the never-ending cycle of accusations between Parliament and Government is having a negative effect on the people. "If the government is serious about this, it should apply the laws already-it has been months and we're still stuck on the same issue. Is it even going to be solved?" asks Al-Qatam.
Omar Al-Boloushi, 30, believes that the government has every right to force dual citizenship holders to revoke one citizenship and choose one. "If you are benefiting from this country, if you're living here all your life and you have the full right as a citizen, why would you need to hold another passport of another country? You can't convince me that security is an issue; we are past the Saddam Hussein era; these people hold passports and are affiliates of other intruding forces from outside the country, from neighboring governments that have their own agendas," he claims.
The internet community has been no exception, or perhaps the anonymity has provided a better battlefield for the members of both beliefs. With accusations of affiliation with Iran, Saudi, the US or Iraq, the launching pad for a cyber war has been set, with blunt accusations of betrayal during the 1990 Iraqi invasion and more extreme destructive criticism that is racial and sectarian in nature, using foul language.
KUWAIT: The issue of dual citizenship has become the local buzzword lately, present in politicians' statements, diwaniyas and newspaper columnist. The community has been set ablaze with heated debates orbiting around two opposing opinions: One that is pro the government's decision to force dual citizenship holders to revoke one, and the other is against this decision, seeing it as a limitation on the freedom of choice.
The Kuwait Times spoke to a number of Kuwaitis on the subject to find out more about what is worrying them. Abu Yousif, a Kuwaiti in his mid thirties claims that it is impossible to force people to revoke their other citizenships. "In Kuwait, we have always had non-Kuwaitis living amongst us and help us build the country. We have had Saudis, Iranians and Egyptians and Palestinians, and to question their loyalty to Kuwait is insulting; this is the only home they know," he said.
Abu Yousif believes that those holding other citizenships do not necessarily mean to show less loyalty and devotion to Kuwait. It is a matter of personal interest. "I have friends who have Saudi passports, Saudi relatives and have the opportunity to go live in Saudi Arabia forever," he says stressing that their love and loyalty to Kuwait is what keeps them in the country despite the fact that the conditions are unstable with what he calls a 'child-play parliament.'
Echoing similar sentiments. Noor Al-Qatam thinks that the issue has been blown out of proportion to distract people from more crucial issues. "This is only creating more divides amongst the people; it could be dealt with in a more swift way where the government would start a policy to apply all rules with no exceptions," she says. Al-Qatam believes that the never-ending cycle of accusations between Parliament and Government is having a negative effect on the people. "If the government is serious about this, it should apply the laws already-it has been months and we're still stuck on the same issue. Is it even going to be solved?" asks Al-Qatam.
Omar Al-Boloushi, 30, believes that the government has every right to force dual citizenship holders to revoke one citizenship and choose one. "If you are benefiting from this country, if you're living here all your life and you have the full right as a citizen, why would you need to hold another passport of another country? You can't convince me that security is an issue; we are past the Saddam Hussein era; these people hold passports and are affiliates of other intruding forces from outside the country, from neighboring governments that have their own agendas," he claims.
The internet community has been no exception, or perhaps the anonymity has provided a better battlefield for the members of both beliefs. With accusations of affiliation with Iran, Saudi, the US or Iraq, the launching pad for a cyber war has been set, with blunt accusations of betrayal during the 1990 Iraqi invasion and more extreme destructive criticism that is racial and sectarian in nature, using foul language.
By Hussain Al-Qatari
© Kuwait Times 2010
