Kuwait: 2020 in review | Kuwait – Gulf News

Kuwait City: Like everyone else, Kuwait was not immune to the roller coaster we can call 2020. While we still don’t know what 2021 brings us, many people, including myself, are wondering: what curve balls this year, Will there be life-altering changes, and how many more “historic” events will we witness in the next year?

Trying not to project such a pessimistic and pessimistic vision in the last year could be difficult due to several struggles that we had to endure both personally and as a society / country. Last year, Kuwait went through many hardships, from the notorious COVID-19 pandemic to the death of the late Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah.

It can be argued that the pandemic shed light on multiple injustices, scandals and years of mismanagement that were taking place in Kuwait, forcing an investigation into the various cases that dominated the local and international press.

While the year brought sadness, loss, and hopelessness, it was also a year of reflection, growth, and change, on multiple levels.

On a personal level, many people lost their loved ones and their jobs, as well as being deprived of basic human rights such as the right to housing, food and education.

In terms of society, we endure both positive and negative challenges. Some negative outcomes include, but are not limited to, being away from family and friends for an extended period to celebrate birthdays and holidays online due to closed closings and travel restrictions.

On the other hand, we saw the power that can happen when we come together and work hand in hand as a collective. While there are a number of cases where the society is coming together, I will name a few. We witnessed the beginning of the pandemic of the overflow of people, from all walks of life, who volunteered to help in any way possible, both financially and physically. Furthermore, we still see the effort of various groups to continue providing food and essential items to those in need.

As a country facing an economic crisis, Kuwait continued its legacy of providing humanitarian assistance in many ways. Aid was sent to those close by, from the millions in financial contributions sent to Lebanon after the terrible Beirut port explosion to ongoing financial support for Iraqi and Yemeni refugees who continue to suffer from the conflict. While Kuwait extended a fraternal hand to its neighbors, it also provided assistance to those as it donated 12 million Kuwaiti dinars to the World Health Organization (WHO), which was distributed to countries in dire need of support. medical and financial

Looking back at this year, it’s easy to say that it was full of surprises and while we all have our own definition of ‘surprise’, here is what you would consider some of the main events, good or bad by your own judgment, of 2020:

Qasem Solemani, one of Iran’s top military commanders, was killed by the United States in a drone strike. While the event did not directly affect Kuwait, the increased tension between the United States and Iran created an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear within Kuwait, given Kuwait’s proximity to Iran and the large American military presence in Kuwait.

Kuwait reported its first case of COVID-19.

The first partial curfew was established to reduce the spread of the virus. Several companies, including their employees, were affected since that day as strict measures were put in place that limit everything from office hours to mobility and accessibility.

The government imposed a 20-day national blockade. Everyone was expected to stay indoors except from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, where citizens and residents could walk / exercise outdoors within their neighborhood.

Bangladeshi MP Mohammed Shahid Islam was arrested on charges of human trafficking, money laundering and bribery. The arrest was seen as a step to address the issue of the illegal permit trade that has plagued Kuwait for the past decade and created multiple problems ranging from demographic imbalance to human rights violations.

Sheikh Sabah Jaber Al Mubarak Al Sabah, son of the former prime minister, and his business partner Hamad Al Wazzan, were arrested on money laundering charges related to the Malaysian fund case. The Malaysian funds scandal, also known as the 1Malaysian Development Berhad (1MBD) case, was one of the highest-profile money laundering cases to occur in Kuwait in recent years.

The airport resumes commercial flights after a five-month hiatus.

The curfew is lifted. Kuwait was recorded as the country that experienced the longest consecutive curfew, which lasted 161 days.

Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, passed away at the age of 91. His passing was a great loss for Kuwait, as he played a key role in establishing and shaping Kuwait’s foreign policy. He has been applauded as one of the Arab world’s leading diplomats and a global humanitarian, earning him the title of “Emir of Humanity.”

Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Sabah, a former crown prince, was sworn in as the sixth emir of Kuwait.

After the Kuwaiti National Assembly (parliament) unanimously approved Sheikh Nawaf’s nomination for Crown Prince, Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmed Al Sabah was sworn in as Crown Prince.

Elections were held for the Kuwaiti parliament. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and bad weather, voter turnout was high, around 70 percent. The election results yielded an all-male parliament and a 60 percent change, as only 19 of the 44 MPs who ran were re-elected.

Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah passed away, 80 days after the death of his father, the late Emir Sheikh Sabah. His death was a great loss to the people of Kuwait, as he was seen as a staunch visionary, patron of the arts and a key player in the fight against corruption.

Kuwait closed its airport, including its land and sea borders, due to growing concern over the new COVID strain that was emerging in the UK and Europe.

After the arrival of the first batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, Kuwait launched its COVID-19 vaccination campaign.