TEN thousand peace-loving Sri Lankans have arrived in Kuwait to earn a decent living and make our lives more comfortable. These people, along with their well-respected ambassador, gathered peacefully to celebrate their New Year recently. The gathering did not take place at Erada Square or in front of the Sultan Center restaurant along the Arabian Gulf. It was held at Al-Jahra Sports Club which was booked days before the event. This means the group celebrated indoors, not on the streets. Chairman of the sports club Ahmed Al-Thufairi said the Sri Lankan Embassy sent an official letter to book the stadium. The administration of the club later forwarded the letter to Al-Jahra Security Manager Brigadier Mohammed Tana.

The booking process went on smoothly, so a large crowd of Sri Lankans, more than 10,000 as stated in a report published by Al-Watan Arabic daily on April 24, 2010, arrived at the club to celebrate. We do not know what happened after that, but another newspaper published pictures and reports on the so-called Jahrawi Extremists Revolution members, who came to the venue with a sullen appearance and clad in their customary below-the-knee dresses, instructing the ambassador and embassy staff to halt the celebration in the presence of security officers from the Ministry of Interior. This happened even after the ministry authorized the gathering. The ministry could not intervene at the time due to the interference of some MPs who claim to be defenders of the rights of citizens and expatriates. The celebration was stopped at 3:00 pm even if it was supposed to end at 6:00 pm.

MPs Waleed Al-Tabtabaei and Mohammed Hayef danced with joy after hearing news on the cancellation of the ceremony! Al-Tabtabaei has been quoted as saying the embassy violated the Islamic Sharia and they have repeatedly warned against such activities. The MP raved about the Islamic Sharia due to claims of stopping a peaceful gathering inside a stadium! It is unfortunate that the MP highlighted an issue, which they have been using to apply double standards when it comes to respecting freedoms.
   Hayef said, “We praise the ministry for its quick response as it immediately dispatched securitymen to the club to stop the Sri Lankans from celebrating an occasion, which is not in line with the customs of the society.”

 We commend the society that Hayef mentioned in his statement. Some MPs have been insisting on the strict implementation of the Segregation Law, not only on the people of the society but also the expatriates who see nothing wrong in allowing men and women to mingle, unlike the belief of Al-Tabtabaei and Hayef.  To the officials of the ministry, we say your decision to halt the peaceful gathering that you approved earlier is unacceptable. We live in a state of legal institutions. We are not controlled by the customs, traditions and statements of two MPs and others who think like them! 

Email: alialbaghli@hotmail.com