THE pressure is indeed high ... People vented what was in their minds, but the leadership maintained silence, borrowing a leaf from the principle: “If words are silver, silence is gold”. This is because the leadership allowed everyone to say whatever they had. Through that, it knew everything that was happening and everything being said in the gatherings and diwaniyas. This includes some words that are defamatory and punishable by law.
However, this is Kuwait. It can be much better if someone works for the sake of it, and not for his own interests. It can be groups, parties, tribal or sectarian blocs, or even legal personalities that have weight.
What happened in the past few weeks as well as the recent statements indicated hotheadedness in terms of the tone and stance, but now heads are returning to being cool and calm. This is despite the indications that can be considered as threats if they are not dealt with wisely and prudently.
The leadership did not show any reaction to all this, but rather remained silent. This is due to the fact that it realized it is not the first time that the country has witnessed a crisis of this kind, although under different regional and international settings, and the sensitivity of the stage.
The leadership wanted to hear and listen to everyone in order to build on what is really required at the moment as far as the current situation is concerned.
In the end, it is in the hands of those in power, whether it is the Constitution, development, or reforming what has been corrupted for the past three decades. Given that it cannot be done between day and night, there are inevitable stages and painful surgeries that need to be performed.
The first step in this regard is knowing where the disease lies and working to treat its causes, not just its apparent symptoms, because the disease will otherwise worsen, and will turn into a cluster of diseases that cannot be controlled.
That is why people are waiting for His Highness the Amir’s speech of the last ten days of Ramadan, which must address the overall general situation and take into account the international and regional crises, even if it is incidental.
In this regard, it must be emphasized that the executive authority is the responsibility of the rulers ... they choose who represents them.
Therefore, it is hoped that the one who takes over all administrations will work conscientiously and competently. He should know that he will be held responsible before Allah, and then the homeland. He should not be the type that puts up a show for personal image and relation. His performance should not lack the national conscience, and he should not appoint those who are unqualified.
He should be an official working in a strong and capable state; otherwise chaos will continue. None of the Kuwaitis wish for chaos, except for the stakeholders who are blind.
Indeed, that is why people are waiting for this pivotal speech, which will determine the course of Kuwait in the coming decades. In other words, the future is being made today.
It must be made today so that we do not become a country of missed opportunities, especially after the rulers heard the people’s opinion with ease and openness.
By Ahmed Al-Jarallah
Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times
