Kuwaiti society is against terrorism and extremists who don't listen to true religious scholars, says Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Abdullah Al-Matooq. The image of Islam and Kuwait is beyond everything and nobody has the right to damage it, he adds. Addressing top officials of the Awaf Ministry at the Grand Mosque Tuesday, Al-Matooq accused religious fundamentalists of creating an Internet website to propagate their perverted ideas, adding "such people won't have a place in mosques." He urged Imams to focus their Friday sermons on "faith and values," saying "Kuwaitis are known for their moderate ways and tolerance of others. Our country has never witnessed a sectarian or religious war which proves we are peace loving people." Describing his meeting with the officials of the ministry as a part of a strategy to stress the importance of values and transparency, Al-Matooq said "the Awqaf Ministry is proud of its scholars and Imams who give sermons every Friday to remind people about values." Kuwaiti mosques are free of terrorist activities and the number of complaints received by the ministry against mosques is decreasing, he added. Al-Matooq went on to say the Awqaf Ministry is planning to establish an institute to educate Imams in social subjects, such as psychology, and other religious subjects. Stressing the importance of supporting civil authorities in creating awareness on the dangers of terrorism among people, the minister said "the Cabinet has decided to establish an anti-terrorism committee comprising of representatives from the Ministries of Awqaf, Information, Education and Social Affairs."A team headed by Undersecretary of Awqaf Dr Adel Al-Falah will concentrate on anti-terrorism activities while another team under the leadership of Maj. General Mohammad Al-Sabae will warn on protecting youth, he continued. The parent and sub-committees have held several meetings to chalk out programmes aimed at educating different segments of people, Al-Matooq concluded.
| You might consider divorcing the state from the holy men and doing away with the Awqaf. Decide you're a modern state and not a quasi-theocracy and let the individual mosques and preachers stand or fall on their own. And hold the holy men responsible for their actions and words. But that's just my thoughts. I'll admit that I've got a soft spot for Kuwait, left over from the first Gulf War. |