National Works Museum to be Demolished

KUWAIT: The Kuwait House for National Works Museum along with other NGO headquarters located on street 70 in Shuwaikh will be demolished soon to complete a road development project in the area. The government gave them a deadline till July 1, 2016 to leave the buildings.

The museum hosted a press conference on Sunday evening to call on the government to extend the period for them or provide them an alternative place. The 10 affected societies are Kuwait Society for Human Rights, Kuwait Association for Accountants and Auditors, Kuwait Environment Protection Society, Kuwait Economic Society, Kuwait Society for Traffic Safety, Kuwait Association for the Employees of the Ministry of Communication, Kuwait Journalist Association, Popular Theatre, Kuwait House for National Works Museum and the Charity Society.

Important landmark
Yousef Al-Amiri, Director of the Kuwait House for National Works Museum, said the museum is an important landmark in Kuwait that has archives of the most important period of Kuwait’s history – the Iraqi invasion. “The museum was founded in 1997 under the patronage of late Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah. Some volunteers and I have collected visual and audio materials from our resources and we received financial support from the late Jassem Al-Khorafi,” he noted.

The museum is very active. “We receive about 150 students daily who come on school field trips to learn about Kuwait history. Also, this museum is included in four pages of the textbooks of the fifth grade. Moreover, all foreign military delegations visiting Kuwait visit the museum, in addition to other delegations and Kuwaiti visitors and residents. We also have twinning agreements with 29 countries that have a booth of Kuwait at their museums, which is a great achievement for Kuwait,” added Amiri.

Establishing this museum cost over KD 600,000. “We operate this place from our resources and donations without governmental support. Just two months ago, we newly built a hall that we haven’t used yet, which cost KD 80,000, and the government wants to demolish it after two months. We call upon the prime minister to provide us an alternative place to move to and to extend the deadline by three years. We appreciate that the government extended the period in the past but they didn’t provide any replacement locations,” he concluded.

International unions
Around 135 Kuwaiti volunteers work in the 10 societies that are affected by the decision. Ahmad Al-Faris, Chairman of the Kuwait Association for Accountants and Auditors, said that the Association was founded in 1973 and serves the whole community. “We hold training courses inside and outside Kuwait and are a member of four international unions. Last week we held an important international forum in Kuwait, and if our association is demolished, then we won’t be able to serve the community, as we are supervising over 60 accounting and auditing offices. The association has trained over 1,200 people and has also participated in preparing laws,” he pointed out.

“As an NGO, we have limited resources, yet we have found a place and will start building soon, but we need time. So we either need a temporary alternative place to move to or extend the period to allow us to stay till the building is ready to move,” Faris added.

Healthy environment
Wijdan Al-Eqaab, Head of the Kuwait Environment Protection Society, made the same demands. “Our society was established in 1974 and aims to protect the rights of people to live in a suitable healthy environment. We provide training, awareness and education to people and we have received hundreds of students for training. We also participated in amending the law related to the environment. Furthermore, we have many volunteers working with us and demolishing the society will make them refrain from volunteering. We have found a plot to build our new headquarters on it, but it’s without any infrastructure since 12 years. So we demand to prolong the deadline,” she stated.

By Nawara Fattahova

-----These are the old buildings at the very end of Gulf Street near to the giant oil company headquarters. The country is getting rid of the old structures, 'out with the old and in with the new' kind of campaign I guess. Bayt Lothan to be demolished under the same headline, it seems as if the new generation is trying to erase the past which is sad. Kuwaitis have that one old family member they are waiting for to die so they can take their house and sell it for profit, shame on you! Family values and feelings have been replaced by greed.

As far as the museum goes it need a total overhaul and I'm surprised they built a new hall, I hope they updated the whole place as it was old, dark and lacked TLC (museum post). You can also find Sheikh Fahad's car there too (post). I truly hope the government can help all of these NGOs find a suitable housing. Why didn't the government build an alternative location like they do for others? Because they are privately funded? It seems as if establishments that are free from wasta and corruption are left to defend themselves alone. It is 2016 yet some tactics are so 1800's.

Expats arrested for tutoring in coffee Shop

KUWAIT: Thirteen expatriate teachers were arrested while giving private tuition illegally at a coffee shop, labor inspectors said yesterday. They include eight working for the private sector, four working in public schools and one on a dependent visa, said Mohammed Al-Thufairi, Head of the Manpower Public Authority’s inspection team.

They were arrested during a crackdown carried out as per instructions of Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Al- Subaih and in collaboration with the Interior Ministry’s residency affairs detectives, Thufairi added.

---Crack downs, better be safe than sorry!

Kuwaiti divorced over Snapchat Pictures

A Saudi man divorced his Kuwaiti wife after he was shocked to see her pictures on Snapchat in obscene positions.

The man was called by a friend to a sports club, where he showed him obscene photographs of his wife on the image messaging service.

“I have had happy two years with my wife until I saw those pictures…I immediately decided to end our marital life,” the husband, identified only as AN, told the Saudi Arabic language daily Sada, which did not mention where he lives

Party Land in Symphony Mall

Party Land has a new location in Symphony mall if anyone is looking for party supplies, they even have piñatas! 

The only thing that bothered me was being constantly followed by employees, if I need your help I will ask you!

Oil Strike

Isn't this their typical day at work? The only difference is they are in a tent.

--Low blow, I know, kaify!

Zafran Indian Bistro- Lights Complex, Mahboula

Zafran Indian Bistro has moved their location from the top of Centre Point in Salmiya to Lights Complex in Mahboula, they are currently in their soft opening and will have the grand opening in May. I did a post about their new menu before and now they've revamped their whole design bringing in British designer Paul Bishop who gave them a beautifully designed restaurant. Of course the blues impressed me the most as it is my favorite color.

We started of with a variety of chutney and dipping sauces, our palates were questioned when we were asked to guess the main ingredient of the condiment down in the lower left corner. We were left stunned after we were told it was watermelon rind that had a crunchy sweet texture and flavor.

Our first starter was dahee kebob- deep fried yogurt and coriander dumplings, they were a little spicy but so good. (2.250)

Second starter was Aloo tikia- potato cutlets on a bed of chickpea masala another yummy dish (1.500)

Our main included the Kebab platter- chicken malai tikka, chicken tikka, Bhatti chicken, tandoori chicken and Seekh kebob, the chicken melted in your mouth and was perfectly seasoned. Words cannot describe how good the dish was (6.500)

On to the massive sized tandoori king prawns another outstanding plate of seafood (8.750)

The head chef and manager of Zafran

The biggest naan zafran I have ever seen! (2.000)

The best drink of the day was the fresh berry infused spritzer, the rose lemonade is also one to try

You can watch your meal being prepared in this glass kitchen

Outdoor seating is available as well

The restaurant is located in the Lights Complex in Mahboula, it's a white complex with many restaurants that are still being opened. If you're looking for a reasonably priced Indian restaurant with a fine dining feel check this restaurant out! They are on Talabat as well!

Destination XL- Shop for Big Guys

If you're a big guy looking for name brand clothing you can find a nice store with a wide variety of styles and labels in Symphony Mall. Destination XL is located in the basement area, I had seen it before but figured it was just another store with cheaply made items with a hefty price tag. Since I had time to kill I decided to check it out the second time around and I was impressed.

It's a clean organized shop with everything a man could want including an area with larger size shoes. I think it's time for Al Shaya to bring Lane Bryant to Avenues, it's a wonderful store for big women as everyone deserves to find clothing that makes them feel good.

Salespeople who stalk You

One of the worst things I hate to encounter when I shop is sales people who stalk you. My friend and I were in Sephora in the Avenues and could not shop in peace. I get it..you work for commission but that doesn't mean you have to continuously bother people to make the sale. As soon as we walked in they started, first asking if we needed help, thank you but when we need your assistance we will let you know. As we move on to a different brand another one comes up and asks the same and we replied the same.

This happens all over Kuwait, I guess they don't know about personal space and like to walk behind you and fix everything you touch. I was in Juicy Couture looking at some shirts, every hanger I touched the sales lady fixed as if she had OCD or something. I know a lot of people don't know about their products in this country, I get it but that doesn't mean you have to lurk behind someone when they tell you they don't need your help.

Recently I was in the party store in Symphony mall and I felt as if the sales people were waiting for me to steal some balloons or something by the way they stared at me. It was totally uncomfortable and I ended up leaving the store because of it. Stop being so pushy!

Sugar Daddy from Kuwait

A woman has revealed she flew 5,000 miles across the world for a first date with a man she'd met online just 14 days earlier - and now travels the world with him, and he foots the bill.
Lauren Levy, 35, from Louisiana, met Hani Alkoot, 40, who lives in Kuwait, on a website that connects attractive singletons who want to travel with 'sugar daddies' generous enough to cover the cost.After just two weeks, the pair decided to fly to Amsterdam – halfway between their respective homes

The sparks flew, and the couple have been travelling the world together ever since meeting last year, visiting three countries in 10 months. Mr Alkoot pays for all Miss Levy's travel expenses and has so far spent up to $12,000 (£8,400) on each trip - including five-star hotels, tickets to shows and Michelin-starred restaurants. He estimates that he has already spent $35,000 (£26,000) on their three trips - to Amsterdam, Dubai and Thailand. Prior to meeting her now boyfriend on MissTravel, Miss Levy, who works in sales for Mercedes Benz, had been single for 14 months.

She said she was looking for a well-travelled and experienced man - but found them in short supply in her hometown. It was there she met Mr Alkoot, an oil-worker, and they messaged every day for two weeks. She said: 'Hani was very funny, intelligent and generous. 'After two weeks, he suggested flying me to Amsterdam, so I could join his 40th birthday celebration. 'I didn't want to go on my own, so he paid for me and my sister Blair, 33.

'We stayed in the bed of his apartment for a week and he stayed on the sofa – he was a real gentleman. 'It was the craziest thing I've ever done. I never thought I would fly half way around the world for a stranger.' Miss Levy told of how she felt nervous because they had a week to spend together. But after a few hours in each other's company, the pair relaxed as if they had known each other for months. 'We hit it off straight away and there was a real chemistry for friendship there, but I wasn't sure romantically,' said Miss Levy. 'After a few days, he started to take my hand as we toured the city, and when I left we had a passionate kiss goodbye. 'I knew this was something I wanted to pursue.' Once Miss Levy got back to the US, she kept in constant contact with Mr Alkoot, concocting ambitious plans for their next destination. link

----Is that something for him to be proud of?

Kuwaiti mother abandoned illegitimate Baby

KUWAIT CITY, April 6: The identity of a newborn baby who was left abandoned by the roadside in Sulaibikhat area one month ago has been discovered.

Two Kuwaiti women including the mother of the baby have been arrested in this connection. According to security sources, Capital securitymen carried out intensive investigations to identify the abandoned baby.

Using the medicine that was found near the baby, they managed to track the baby’s mother after checking the CCTV records of the concerned pharmacy.

They discovered that she is a Kuwaiti citizen and they arrested her. When questioned, she explained that the father of the baby is her Bedoun boyfriend. Even though the youth requested for her hand in marriage several times, her parents refused. She had intimate physical relations with him, as a result of which she became pregnant. When she was unable to abort the baby, she gave birth and handed over the newborn baby to one of her friends.

However, the latter was unable to tolerate the nonstop crying of the baby and dumped the baby by the road. Securitymen arrested the second suspect and referred both women to Public Prosecution for necessary legal action against them.

-----What an awful story.

Dog taken to Jail- Only in Kuwait

KUWAIT CITY, April 1: A Kuwaiti woman was summoned to Salmiya Police Station for investigations after her dog attacked an American expatriate in Salmiya area, reports Al-Rai daily.

According to security sources, the American expatriate residing in Salmiya area lodged a complaint at Salmiya Police Station, stating that a dog that belongs to a Kuwaiti woman had attacked him and he had to seek treatment in a hospital. He provided securitymen with a medical report to indicate the injury he sustained.

During investigations, the Kuwaiti woman said her dog was probably under the impression that the American wanted to attack her and was trying to defend her. The concerned authorities decided to refer the dog to the zoo. However, since the zoo was already closed, the securitymen detained the dog at the police station.

------So...the dog went to jail because the zoo was closed? I swear you can't make this stuff up.