Artists honor late Amir – Colors of Compassion on canvas of respect

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KUWAIT CITY, Dec 18: Several visual artists in Kuwait expressed their sorrow over the passing away of the late Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (May God have mercy on him). They highlighted the late Amir’s humility and love for everyone, as well as his support for plastic art in Kuwait. Some also presented portraits they painted of the late Amir on special occasions. In this regard, the visual artist Asaad Bu Nashi said, “We grieve with all the people of Kuwait over the death of the late Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (May God have mercy on him). His death has saddened all Arab countries and all other countries of the world. He had many positions in contributing to and advancing plastic art among children or beginners in fine arts. In the year 2016, we presented a workshop following the diving competition in Kuwait. My role was to draw a diver in this competition. I took it as an honor, and I wanted to give His Highness the late Amir a work to convey to him the value of fine art. I hence gave him my book, which was a diving panorama. He welcomed us, and after I handed him the book, he gave me a certificate. This surprised me and that was when I realized that he appreciated Kuwaiti art. After COVID-19, I presented him with a painting for this occasion, which was painted for him in Souq Sharq. Because of his humility and wisdom, he did not delay in giving artists their rights. He supported them and asked about them.

In fact, he had won the hearts of this country’s people with his love and humility.” Meanwhile, visual artist Adel Al-Mishaal said, “May God have mercy on the late Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who led the march during critical times, along with the current Amir His Highness Sheikh Meshaal Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who cared for him. I met the late Amir when he held the position of Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, and at that time I was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Al-Qurain Cooperative Society. He had a gentle disposition and was a good listener. His simplicity and spontaneity in dealing with everyone was very evident. However, he did not show compliments when it came to Kuwait and its people, no matter what. The people of Kuwait disagree on many issues, but they agree on their love for him. May Allah protect Kuwait and grant His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah success in leading the progress and development of Kuwait.” Furthermore, the visual artist Suzanne Bou Shannaq said, “I offer my sincere condolences to the honorable Al-Sabah family, the Kuwaiti people, and the entire world over the passing away of our Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. He was a man of few words and many deeds. He was loved by everyone and appreciated by all world leaders. He loved his people, and they loved him. He was the Amir of humility, forgiveness, and kindness.

May God have mercy on him and place him in His spacious Paradise, Amen.” Also, the visual artist Naji Al-Hai said, “We felt extreme pain when he heard about the passing away of His Highness the late Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (May God have mercy on him). Everyone witnessed purity, kindness and humility in his character, and everyone loved him, because of his great human qualities. “May God have mercy on him and make him dwell in his spacious gardens and may God inspire him. May his family, relatives, and loved ones grant patience and solace, and may he rest in peace.” Meanwhile, the visual artist Ibtisam Al-Asfour said, “The late Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (May God have mercy on him) – the leader of our journey – was humble and concerned about the people and their interests. “His reign witnessed decisions that contributed to correcting the course in various fields and received popular support because they reflected on the public good. The most notable of these decisions was the abolition of the local agent, the vacant land monopoly law, the housing cities law, and the Kuwaitization policy in the Ministry of Interior, which made way for young Kuwaiti experts to replace the elderly in the ministry. The latest of his decisions was the amnesty law.” In addition, artist Fadel Al-Abbar said, “The late Amir of the country Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (May Allah have mercy on him) served as an example of honesty, and humility. His high morals made everyone respect and appreciate him. He ruled Kuwait during a very difficult time, and ensured the safety of the homeland and the citizens at all stages… May God have mercy on him and grant him a spacious paradise.”

By Medhat Allam
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

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