To Kuwaitis … How would the country be without the ruling family?

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LET us talk about the ruling house and the path that the people are aspiring for. This is essential especially after the speech delivered by His Highness the Deputy Amir and the Crown Prince with his optimistic words and the directives issued to the two authorities, as well as the election of the National Assembly Speaker by acclamation, and the speech of His Highness the Prime Minister in which he extended his hand of cooperation to the National Assembly.

Undoubtedly, the participation of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad and Sheikh Firas Al-Malik in the new Council of Ministers is the beginning of the disruption of the mines that were planted in the process of government work years ago. Their participation increases the prestige and strength of the ruling house in its presence at the public level, as it is known that these houses are coherent and in harmony between its members and the people.

Indeed, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad has disputes, but in return he has his supporters, and he has his presence in public affairs. When a page is turned over, it means the start of stable work in the ruling house. However, the question remains – Why did these disputes occur? Why are there accusations against sheikhs regarding bribery and corruption?

It must firstly be emphasized that royal families or rather monarchs are far from the commercial front or other public works. This is due to the fact that the goal is to keep them away from direct negative contact with people. That is why they have their own schools, which are interested in educating their members until the seventh generation of potential kings. This is the case in Norway, Sweden, Belgium, the Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman and Bahrain, and many others that I am unable to recall at the moment. For this reason, sufficient funds are allocated for them so that none of them need to crowd out people in their business, which is an indicator that Kuwait is not accustomed to.

This happens mainly because there is a failure in fulfilling their rights, given that the budget of the Amiri Diwan – which takes care of members of the ruling family – is KD 50 million. This is not enough to quell the urge of the sheikhs to earn more through work. Realistically, in the eyes of the people, the members of the ruling family are the elite, and they have prestige that cannot be deviated from.

It is natural that these houses have their secrets and rituals that cannot be deviated from also. Therefore, preserving their prestige is a task that cannot be taken lightly. This is what the Emirates, as well as other monarchical states, are accustomed to in their ruling houses.

On the other hand, the first thing that threatens any state is harm towards the ruling family. In Saudi Arabia, for example, the state was on the brink of bankruptcy. There was a time when there were vigorous attempts to spread corruption in the country through princes who did not realize the dangers of their interference in people’s private and public affairs.

Rather, external conspiracies were plotted to divide the kingdom. This is no longer a secret. However, all of them were thwarted by the reformist steps pioneered by King Salman and his directives to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who was distinguished by firmness and rigor in implementation. The “Ritz Riyadh” operation was a blow not only to the corrupt among the public, but also for the princes who thought they were outside the circle of accountability.

The reform also was a remarkable sign to the outside that this vast kingdom is able to maintain its stability and prevent any threat to it from inside or outside.

Likewise, we no longer hear of any encroachment in the United Arab Emirates by members of the ruling families on people, public affairs, or public funds. This is because the state has honored them, and they are no longer in need.

In all these houses, we have neither heard of corruption nor have there been any lawsuits or trials against their members due to preservation of their prestige. This can only be achieved through self-sufficiency in order for the children of these families to devote themselves to public philanthropic work, and to foster and cement good relations with the people.

Undoubtedly, Arab experiences represented a harsh lesson in preserving the stability of ruling houses as the compass for the stability of the state.

Following the monarchy era, Egypt suffered a lot. Also, Iraq witnessed bloodbaths, and is probably paying the price even today. The same is the case in Libya after Senussi and Yemen after the Imamate monarchy. Tunisia was much better during the rule of the Bey than today.

Here it must be emphasized that the members of ruling houses are symbols that must be given their due, and given full care because any danger to them is a threat to the state as a whole.

Therefore, after this new development and reconciliation today, it is necessary to reconsider the past stage and the bitter experiences that it left behind, and learn from them because the press will not be responsible for any error published, and the blame will not be directed at the parliamentarians, or even the ministers, despite their responsibility. Rather, it is directed at the premiership and the ruling family.

Hence, it is crucial to act according to the golden rule – “If he says he does” – given that the premiership is the front for the state and the one concerned with preserving it.

The question that preoccupies many Kuwaitis is – Will the reign of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad and his deputy His Highness Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad represent a redevelopment of the role of the ruling family, restore the prestige of the ruling family, re-calibrate its relationship with the homeland, and follow its rituals to prepare a generation that has the capabilities to practice governance and confrontation, manage sovereign ministries, and maintain a good image in governance? Of course, this is not much. Everything is possible if there is a will.

By Ahmed Al-Jarallah

Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times

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