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| Arabia | ||
| Shiite-Sunni tensions threaten to destabilize Kuwait | ||
| 2010-09-20 | ||
| [Al Arabiya] The Gulf state of Kuwait on Sunday banned public gatherings in a bid to contain rising tensions between Sunni and Shiite Mohammedans over inflammatory remarks by a Shiite activist in self-imposed exile. "This is a (sectarian) rift and it must be stopped," head of the legal department at the interior ministry Brigadier Asaad al-Ruwayeh told a press conference as he read an official statement banning gatherings. Any public gathering, procession or demonstration cannot be held without a prior approval from authorities, the statement said. Ruwayeh said violators could face a two-year jail term, adding that the interior ministry is taking such measures to "safeguard security and stability of the country." The government decision came as several Sunni Islamist groups announced they were holding public gatherings to press for the extradition of the Kuwaiti activist. Sectarian tensions in this predominantly Sunni Gulf state flared after Yasser al-Habeeb, a Shiite who has been living in London since 2004, made disparaging remarks against the Prophet Mohammed's wife, Aisha. Habeeb, who fled Kuwait to escape two 10-year prison terms for abusive remarks about Islam's first two caliphs, held a ceremony to celebrate the death anniversary of Aisha at his London office more than two weeks ago at which he made the remarks, according to video on his website.
A number of Sunni Islamist MPs threatened they would grill either the prime minister or the interior minister if the government failed to take action. Shiites make up about one-third of the Kuwaiti population of 1.1 million people. They have nine members in the 50-seat parliament and two members in the emirate's 16-member cabinet.
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| Posted by:Fred |
| #6 Seems to me it wasn't all that long ago I remember a bunch of Kuwaitis lining the streets as columns of allied troops flew by. They were happpy to have lived through the occupation and to have survived. My, what a difference a few years makes. Perhaps this forgetfulness is a bit premature because Iran is still there. |
| Posted by: gorb 2010-09-20 22:47 |
| #5 This is what happens when a country doesn't have enough Juice to hate. |
| Posted by: SteveS 2010-09-20 11:21 |
| #4 Pic of guy banging his hand on this head, grimacing, and saying: "Not this $hit again" would be appropriate. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2010-09-20 09:44 |
| #3 made disparaging remarks against the Prophet Mohammed's wife, Aisha Good thing he didn't also burn the Koran and draw cartoons of the prophet mohammed. He would be without his head somewhere. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2010-09-20 09:41 |
| #2 Muslim sects are God's gift to non-Muslims. |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2010-09-20 07:54 |
| #1 Sectarian tensions in this predominantly Sunni Gulf state flared after Yasser al-Habeeb, a Shiite who has been living in London since 2004, made disparaging remarks against the Prophet Mohammed's wife, Aisha. Aisha tended to slobber alot in bed - this is nothing new. Habeeb, who fled Kuwait to escape ... held a ceremony to celebrate the death anniversary of Aisha at his London office. Here in Wichita we celebrated her death by handing out free hot dogs to the first 100 child prostitutes who claimed them. A number of Sunni Islamist MPs threatened they would grill either the prime minister or the interior minister if the government failed to take action. Which has been brought up with more corn in their diet? |
| Posted by: Ralphs son Johnnie 2010-09-20 03:01 |