Go Back To Our History

Abdullah Buwair

A report appeared recently, which quoted a lawmaker claiming during a speech at the Iradah Square that the Al-Sabah family fled Kuwait during the Iraqi Invasion. First of all, I would like to reiterate the fact that the Al-Sabah family is a role model vis-à-vis the relationship between people and their rulers, which was established during the rule of Kuwait’s first Amir Sheikh Sabah the first (1752 – 1776). His wisdom led the Kuwaiti people to choose him as their leader for resolving their disputes and dealing with matters of state.

This unique relationship continues even today under the rule of Kuwait’s 15th Amir, HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who assumed his duties on Jan 29, 2006 after HH the Father Amir Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah decided to step down on account of his failing health. HH Sheikh Sabah was known as the, ‘Dean of Global Diplomacy’, and was at one point, the world’s oldest foreign minister.

I urge the lawmaker who made these recent statements to go back to history and discover how the Al-Sabah family has ruled Kuwait with the public’s approval.

Secondly, I would like to ask the MP this question – “Where were you during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait?” If he had really been in Kuwait at the time, he would’ve never made such claims. He would’ve known that the first martyr of the war was a member of the Al-Sabah family, the late Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who is the brother of the late Amir HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and the current Amir HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

In the early hours of Aug 2, 1990, Saddam Hussain’s troops launched their attack on Kuwait, which was immediately followed by widespread instances of theft, murder, arrests and the torture of innocent Kuwaitis. Is the MP aware of the first demand made by the invading army? They were looking for the Al-Sabah family and wanted to force them to surrender power.

If it wasn’t for the fact that the Kuwaiti government, represented by the late Amir HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and the late Father Amir HH Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, had left Kuwait, the country would’ve never regained its sovereignty. In fact, both the Sheikh Jaber and Sheikh Saad Al-Sabah would’ve faced the same fate as the late Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
The decision of the Kuwaiti leadership to exit the country during the invasion was taken to protect the country’s legitimate authority. They went to seek the help of the international community for securing Kuwait’s freedom.

I would also like the lawmaker to narrate the circumstances existent in Kuwait during the seven-month-long Iraqi invasion. How did the Kuwaitis find the patience to bear the attack on their country at the time? It was through God Almighty, and the wisdom of the Al-Sabah family Sheikhs.

Where were you when the whole world stood behind Kuwait during the invasion, including the Soviet Union, which had signed cooperation treaties with Iraq at the time? Where were you when the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah travelled around the world trying to bring international attention to Kuwait’s cause, and was eventually successful in managing to attract worldwide compassion and support for achieving liberation?

Aren’t all these instances enough for you to realize the error in your claims?

By Abdullah Buwair

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