Kuwait

Please provide us with your views on the state of peace in the country you will represent in the One Young World Summit?

Ever since the invasion of Kuwait in 1991, my country has witnessed a peaceful time. We are a very small country, with a population of no more than 1.5 million people, alongside 2.5 million expats residing in Kuwait. As of this moment, we do not suffer from any wars or major challenges, which is incredible for a nation that is only 56 years old (since the writing of its constitution).

However, I have witnessed an escalation of intolerance between different factions of the Islamic faith. The majority of Kuwaitis are Sunni Muslims, with the minority being the Shia Muslims. During the invasion, there was no such thing. Everyone was simply Kuwaiti.

Ever since then, slowly but surely people have been categorizing themselves based on the faction of their faith. Whilst this is not a major issue at the moment in Kuwait, in my opinion this is an upcoming issue which will stop Kuwait from sustaining peace among the community.

On a more positive note, Kuwait has long been an advocate of international peace, with our Emir being dubbed “The Emir of Humanity” due to his strong stance on being a global humanitarian leader.

How do you think your work and/or activism contribute to a sustainable peace?

My charity, Raqsh, has a simple mission: educate the youth of today to enable them to become the leaders of tomorrow. I hold a very strong opinion that one of the pillars that help create sustainable peace is education. Education has the power of enlightening minds, and creating leaders. Raqsh mainly focuses on the refugee youths, as my colleagues and I believe that the youth are what matters. When we grow old, they are the ones who will take over this world that we hand to them. As some blame our fathers and forefathers for handing us a world that is less than adequate, I want the next generation to be given a world of peace. Of opportunities. Of compassion.

I believe my work has contributed to sustainable peace by the simple offering of a book. Out of the thousands of people that we have given books to, I stand by my firm belief that many of them will return to their countries empowered by the strongest weapon there is: knowledge. That alone will be a stepping stone for them to change their entire communities and help create sustainable peace.