‘Expats playing major role in building Kuwait merit respect’ – ‘Intolerance defies religion’
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| Verbally or physically abusing some domestic helpers, pelting some resident passengers and drivers with stones, lack of patience toward some expatriate doctors and teachers, by some individuals, certainly indicate that tolerance usually begins at home! Already known for its tolerance toward strangers, foreigners and non-citizens, our Kuwaiti traditional society stands upon certain pillars of morality. These Kuwaiti moral ideals advocate mercy, compassion and understanding toward others. As such, as Kuwaiti citizens, many of us already understand the importance of such moral ideals and many of us live by them. Therefore, one realizes that we as expats and citizens are integral part of a larger human family; many of us Kuwaitis continue to object to some anti-social behavior directed against some residents, especially low paid workers. |
However, certain individuals in our society continue to verbally irritate some helpless domestic helpers, laborers, and resident employees just because they are expats! In fact, there are some youngsters who continue to pelt expatriate passengers with stones while they ride in public buses; perhaps just because they believe they can do so against any non-citizen! One can add to the list of anti-social and anti-resident behavior the other negative phenomenon common these days of not being patient with some expatriate doctors and teachers. Such residents-abusing individuals behave in a manner which goes against our Kuwaiti values, against our national laws and against the teachings of our national heritage. Such negative behavior in fact goes against our Islamic values!
Intolerance in all its forms goes against the basic teachings of our Islamic faith. As a Muslim society, Kuwait has been welcoming strangers, foreigners and expatriates for decades. This Kuwaiti tolerance toward those who are different comes from our Islamic faith and from our national heritage. For example, one of the most enduring tenets of Islam is the equality among humans: in the Holy Quran, the Almighty says: “We have created you from male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware.” (Al-Hujraat-13).
Our hard working residents deserve our respect because they contribute in building Kuwait, its society and economy. Spreading tolerance and acceptance toward all expats will always contribute to improving our national and international image.
Twitter: @aljenfawi1969
By Khaled Aljenfawi
This news has been read 39802 times!
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