INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN RELIGION KUWAIT
This essay is about the ruler of my home country; Kuwait. The person I have chosen to write to is none other than the 5th Emir and the 15th ruler of Kuwait; His Highness Sheikh Subah Al-Jaber Al-Subah. The Sheikh is a Muslim and follows the Sunni version of Islam. The reason why I chose to write about the ruler of Kuwait is that Kuwait, being my home country is very close to me. I spent my childhood there and still visit it whenever my family and I get the chance(“UN Chief Honors Amir as ‘Humanitarian Leader’ – Sheikh Sabah Recounts Kuwait’s Charitable Initiatives”).
Kuwait is a small country, located in the Middle East. Situated along the Persian Gulf, it borders Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The state has a total population of more than 4 million people. Of these, only 1.3 million are Kuwaitis, while the rest are foreign expatriates. The city draws its origins from a fishing village; located where Kuwait City is today. 1n 1613, the foundations for modern-day Kuwait City were laid. By the 18th century, the city had become an important trading hub for people in business from India, Muscat, Baghdad, and Arabia. By this time, Kuwait had become an established route, connecting the Persian Gulf with Aleppo. The discovery of oil, in the mid-20th century, turned the Emirate into a booming economy. Though the Gulf War in the 1990s almost crippled the country’s economy, it was able to regain its economic status.
His Highness Sheikh Subah Al-Jaber Al-Subah ascended the throne of Kuwait on 15th January 2006. Before becoming the Emir of Kuwait, the Sheikh was the foreign minister of the Emirate. He has been and still is very active in politics. His politics has usually served the betterment of the people of Kuwait, as well as for the Muslims in general. According to the United Nations Secretary, General Ban Ki-Moon H. H. Sheikh Subah is one of the greatest humanitarians of modern times(News Agency).
The Secretary-General mentioned the ongoing conflicts in the Arab World, claiming that for the past few years, the world has witnessed a humanitarian catastrophe in the Middle East. Iraq, Syria and then Yemen, have all fallen into the hands of terrorists. Terrorism has brought economic and political collapse with it. Hundreds and thousands of Arabs have been left, to seek refuge for themselves. Most of these refugees are fleeing to other countries, where they are not welcome.
However, during these hard times, some kind-hearted and loving people have come forward to help their fellow countrymen and women. Kuwait; under the leadership of the Emir, has opened its borders to the people of Syria. Humanitarian aid workers have been sent to help the millions of Syrians and provide them with food, clean water, and medical care. Apparently, the Emir’s profound actions have proved that Kuwait might be a small country, but it has a loving and caring heart.
Islam mentions that helping other people; especially our Muslim brothers and sisters is an act of worship. It further suggests that Muslims, who will show compassion towards fellow humans, will be rewarded when Allah will show compassion towards them. That is the reason why the Emir is helping his brothers and sisters. Besides Syrians, the country has also increased humanitarian assistance for other countries including; Somalia, Sudan, Iraq, Kenya, and Ethiopia. The actions of Kuwait, under the Emir, help the less developed countries and the warzones to come out of their present situations and prosper, for a better future.
WORK CITED
News Agency, Kuwait. Shaikh Subah Al-Jaber Al-Subah: A Humanitarian Leader.
“UN Chief Honors Amir as ‘Humanitarian Leader’ – Sheikh Sabah Recounts Kuwait’s Charitable Initiatives.” Kuwait Times, 9 Sept. 2014, http://news.kuwaittimes.net/un-chief-honors-amir-humanitarian-leader-sheikh-sabah-recounts-kuwaits-charitable-initiatives/.
