What's next after 50 years of the constitution? What has
changed and which alternatives have we seen in the public arena? Have the
people of this country developed for the better or there is 'if' and lots of
'ifs' of the negative concepts of the past, which continue to prevail despite
many have been saying we are beyond such concepts?After 50 years of the constitution, in the age of
communication revolution and globalization, we still find sectarianism,
tribalism and partisan at its peak- whereas education is at its worst; health
is ailing, and the pride of the Gulf is wrinkling; it is no longer as beautiful
as expected.
After 50 years of the constitution,
sub-elections are still conducted openly and publicly, results are even
announced, organized and advertised with ceremonies to congratulate the
winners, while prominent figures rush to congratulate them. Sectarianism
dominates the social communication platforms and cheating in the school examination
continues to perplex intellectuals.
After 50 years of the constitution, we have yet to boast of a
private sector that plays its actual role. Campaigns to encourage locals to
work in this sector is just for the show; at the end, you see locals who have been
dismissed from private sector lining-up in front of governmental bodies to ask
for their delayed monthly financial support after updating the systems.
After more than 50 years of the
constitution, we need to build human with the national breath; someone who
enhances the concept of belonging and a citizen who grasps the concept of
obligations and rights. We need smart governments, not only electronically.
Every citizen should feel protected by the law and State to believe that all
are equal in applying for jobs and assuming positions.
As for our expatriate brothers and sisters – the important
pillars of this country's development – the law should enhance everything that
preserve their rights, and their obligations should be well specified. They
should know they are a difficult card in the development of this nation in many
aspects. Therefore, the extreme far-right rhetoric against expatriates, which
has not been observed in our country alone but many parts of the world,
shouldn't be entertained. It is unfortunate such rhetoric continues to spread
even through politicians among us.
The national unity is a principle that should be based on
justice – in the sense that – no one feels like second or tenth class citizen;
everyone should have their obligations and rights specified. This is the
principle of nationhood. It is unbelievably irrational for a citizen to feel he
is being granted a favor when receiving something deemed his right, or having
to depend on influential people or 'wasta' to get public services. Law and law
alone should determine how people are treated, and once that is established, it
will create long needed reassurance on everyone.
After 50 years of the constitution in a region that is very
sensitive and important to the world economically, I wish peace to prevail and
the reverence of law cemented, so that everyone may feel that the law is for
their good and not against them. Since its establishment within the region,
Kuwait has been a model of justice, freedom and human development, in addition to
political, social and cultural development; therefore, I fear for this
wonderful country to lose the grip on its course.
Indeed, to err is human but we should work on rectifying
errors and support correctness and ensuing process for Kuwait to continue being
a great and friendly nation to all.
Twitter@alzmi1969
By Yousef Awadh Al-Azmi
'Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your
country', 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy (1917 – 1963).