KUWAIT:
Experts and officials are calling for educating citizens on their rights, duties, and responsibilities, to ensure they contribute to the country’s development with a sense of belonging and dedication.
During a forum on “National Identity and Enhancing Citizenship Principles in Kuwaiti Society” which kicked off Tuesday, participants stressed the importance of preserving national unity as the first line of defense against external threats, especially in a world marked by regional instability and challenges. They also emphasize the need to protect Kuwait’s national identity from political biases, sectarianism, and extremism.
“We all belong to this nation, and we have no other homeland. It is our collective responsibility to preserve it, and this requires unified national efforts,” Dr Yaqoub Al-Kandari, Director of the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Center at Kuwait University said.
According to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the forum brings together researchers and experts to discuss national identity from scientific, academic, and legal perspectives, independent of political biases. It’s organized by the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Center at Kuwait University, the Women’s Institute for Development and Peace, and the National Unity Enhancement Team at the Cabinet. The two-day forum is taking place at Kuwait University in Shuwaikh.
Dr Abdullah Al-Sharika, Head of the National Unity Enhancement Team at the Cabinet said the true measure of a Kuwaiti citizen’s worth is their service to the country, their commitment to the law, and their respect for its values. He highlighted that while Kuwait is marked by cultural, intellectual, and political diversity, its people are united by the belief that “Kuwait unites us.”
Kawthar Al-Jou’an, Head of the Women’s Institute for Development and Peace, said the forum’s primary goal is to address the challenges facing national identity, stressing the need to confront these challenges and protect the national identity from political biases and divisions. She called for reinforcing core values and traditions, combating extremism in all its forms, and promoting disciplined freedom.
She also emphasized that a citizen’s awareness of their rights and responsibilities is crucial to shaping their sense of self and their connection to their country, fostering national belonging. “Citizenship involves three pillars: attachment to the land, participation, and equality,” she explained. Al-Jou’an underscored that Kuwait’s national identity is rooted in its deep connection to the land, the spread of values like tolerance and acceptance, and the rejection of violence.
“We must stress the importance of true citizenship — loyalty to the nation, attachment to its soil, and adherence to the national identity defined by Kuwait’s Constitution, while avoiding sectarianism,” she said. “We are all called upon to preserve national unity, as it is the first line of defense against external threats. In a world marked by instability, regional rivalries, and growing dangers, the people of Kuwait must understand their responsibility in maintaining unity.”
