RIP Julie Khamis

This text is a commentary on the recent incident that involved the Khamis family and is based on the limited information found: here.
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The other day, for the first time, I ended up on and reading alwatan daily, an online Kuwaiti newspaper in English. Fate had it, that I'd read about a news piece on a recent incident that sadly, and I truly mean sadly, had unraveled in Kuwait.
I had the urging feeling to write about this, spread the word, because such a thing shouldn't be buried. I wasn't disappointed today, as the Kuwaiti media has taken a special interest in the topic. I hope it leads to some good.

So it goes like this, a series of events on a roundabout - renowned for it's Bermuda like nature, always troubling - lead to a man, not a policeman, but still under the general umbrella of the Ministry of Interior, taking a girl into custody after she honked at him for stopping mid-roundabout.

Looking at the situation, it involved the daughter of an English teacher and a Kuwaiti man, Dana.
Dana is not perfectly fluent with the Kuwaiti accent, as I'm sure the officer isn't fluent in anything English. I say that, seeing as this world was not made for one type of people. As Muslims we know that, and as rational beings we know that.
Given the factors and possible types of mentalities at offer in such a situation, I will tell you I am not at all surprised at what happened. I am sickened, but not surprised. I'm not slating every policeman, officer or person of authority out there, they are our brothers and sons, what I am saying is that when we get a bad one on our hands we get them rotten.

What I don't understand is why didn't the officer drop the charges, or was even strongly advised by a superior to do so? In a society like ours, we are prized for having healthy social values that have meant profuse number of cases to be settled outside police stations. Especially when it comes to non-physical charges. A honk? An alleged hand gesture? Really?

All I know is that as Kuwaiti citizens, we are all entitled to the same protection and liberties. The common citizen is responsible in knowing their rights, just as much as the authoritative figures are responsible in making it well known how citizens should be treated.

This case is still under investigation, and with the heartbreaking news that Dana's mother had passed away, the judicial process will be put on the back-burner.

My heart goes out to Sulaiman, who lost the love of his life, his wife of 27 years, and to Dana and her two sisters (T. and H.) who lost the most precious person anyone can have, their mother.

Just know that it is only after your heartache as a family, will we have a change for a more aware future against situations like this. Keep your fingers in a crescent.

RIP Julie Khamis

Physical Irregularities

So, I get a call asking me out for a coffee. I say I'll pass. Though, come to think of it, if I were asked to come out for a session of football I would probably go for it.

It's funny how because of the social dimensions associated with those two separate activities define how appealing the activity is when one is sick, particularly with a cold (congestion/runny nose) and/or a cough.

Let me explain, say I say yes to either. When going for a coffee, or any other similar outing, there are etiquette issues that you become increasingly aware of. Whereas, going for football, it's a sport. Your primal side, to a degree, comes out. You're comfortable with everything physical, at least you're suppose to be. I think only people who have done this will understand. Doing sports, in moderation, while sick, can push out your symptoms for as long as the time you're playing.

I just find this all unusual to most, and non-intuitive.

Irrelevant Politic

I'll be honest, politics is not my game. I think I find it to be some white noise in my life for the moment anyways. But, I'll contribute by sharing very general views with you.

I do believe that each person is responsible for having an opinion. If anything, that's the smallest type of appreciation for life and your freedom in it.

So here’s what I think, I’m not sure what to make of the labels “liberal” or “conservative”.
Can’t you be, say, liberal on education, and conservative on health-care reform? Or maybe be a conservative liberal or even a liberal conservative on other issues? If humans are good at anything, it is inconsistency. It’s human nature.
It’s is foolish to form an opinion before hearing the issue at hand, and liberals along with the conservatives do it all the time as if it’s their job.

Check up before marriage II

So, back in 2006 I wrote about how Kuwait has only (back then) recently considered running medical check-ups before marriage. Ever since, I've been getting hits on this blog.

Medical check-ups. I didn't really look into it. I didn't research it. But I did find this movement interesting. It's interesting to know people now will be able to find out if their partner had AIDS, genetic defects, or any other common disorders that may be passed on.
This begs the question, at the end of the day, does this check up even mean anything? What if you fall for someone, someone that the check up advises you not to marry.

Updatius

This blog's purpose alludes me. I don't exactly remember how it started, but I do know that I used to Livejournal so that could have very much paved the way. It's a very casual outlet for me to project thoughts, and maybe enjoy them once I read them in the future.

I don't really know who reads this. I do get comments out of the blue, that tend to ask for more material, more writing. It's flattering.

A new blog-project idea popped into my head the other day. It's probably for the everyday student, a reflective (on life) student, that's experiencing life? I think that's it.

Draw From Your Own Strength

Lately, I've been jolted right down to the nerve. These jolts carry a message, a precious message in a bottle that has taken many sand grains down an hour glass. A piece of advice I should have already accepted for my own benefit. I should always look out for myself. I should always seek for my comfort. I should always try to better myself. Why? Because at the end of the day I am the only thing I have (family aside, ofcourse). Look out for yourself before you look out for others. Sure, it sounds obvious intuition. But everyday, at every unconscious window of having your guard down, you give up, petty in your eyes but essential in reality, time. Time that you should have for yourself. Time that you can never get back. Time that will chew you up and spit you out, if you don't put up a good tussle. Do your part. Do yourself a favor. Look out for yourself.

One Epiphany Please

I kinda need enlightenment. Notice, I say "kinda" just to alleviate the graveness of the situation. I suppose to psychologically keep my "edge" in tact, even my pride. I'm quite complicated, and no it's no bragging; it gets on my nerves-- well confuses me actually and I find myself in the process of always trying to figure out myself. I know, that sentence in itself is complex.

I write to make sure that I have a time-stamp that I can look back on, and draw from for whatever reason(s). It's not for show, not for feedback, and definitely not for attention.

Allahoma - in this holiest of months, the beautiful Ramadan, I ask the most Merciful and Gracious to guide me for I dearly am in need of such mercy.

Country and Pride

Do you love your country? Do you show it? Do you hide it? Do you fabricate it?

I grew up in a home that cherishes family religiously, a home that does not take kinship for granted, a home filled with simple, pure, and comforting security. Such blessings, needless to say, naturally instill the feeling of deep, and genuine gratitude. This home, this beautiful - in my eyes - home, to me is called Kuwait.

Love your country. Show it smartly. Be zealous, but be modest. Don't put on a show. Do it justice.