Rows over #Shiite Hussaniyas continue, Al-Shehab meets with clergymen

#Sheikha #Fariha criticized for supporting establishment of #Armenian #Church #kuwait#lebanon Monday,16 April 2012  By : Jameel W. Karaki, Michael A. Kolarov and Nafel Al-Humaidan        Staff Writers  KUWAIT: In a recent row in Parliament, lawmaker Mohammad Hayef demanded that the government should begin supervising Hussainiyas (Shiite Diwaniyas) as is the case with Sunni mosques. The lawmaker had threatened to file an interpellation against the Minister of Awqaf Jamal Al-Shehab if he fails to monitor the Shiite mosques. However, the MP deferred his quizzing request for the meantime after Friday prayer sermons were no longer recorded as of April 13. On Sunday, the minister met with a delegation of Shiites imams, where he discussed with them means of cooperation in order to reach a mechanism that would well serve the Shiite mosques and establish coordination amongst them.  He announced the formation of a committee of imams in Shiites mosques, which will act as a mediator between the Shiites in Kuwait and the ministry; thus allowing them to inform the ministry of any needs or requirements concerning maintenance and cleanliness.  The mediator will be responsible for abiding by the instructions of the ministry concerning the mosques. Al-Shehab called for following the guidelines set by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah that aim to cement national unity.  He stressed the importance of cooperation, unity, and mercy among people living in Kuwait, in order to avoid any issues that might cause sedition or tarnish the relationships that bind the citizens. Moreover, the minister listened to the remarks made by the imams, and the meeting was friendly and productive. The attendees stressed that Kuwait's security is of paramount importance and that this responsibility must be shouldered collectively by the people.  He also mentioned the violations committed by Shiites mosques and called for taking them into consideration. Meanwhile, the Shiites imams applauded the friendly meeting, and lauded the concept of forming a committee that seeks Kuwait's interest and abides by the laws and regulations. They asserted that Shiites are keen to abide by laws and to work with others for the welfare of Kuwait. On this issue, Al Watan Daily spoke to Sheikh Rajab Ali Rajab, a mosque Imam, who explained that monitoring Hussainiyat is a governmental role, given that a Hussainiya is not under the authority of the Ministry of Awqaf and is rather considered as a private  Diwaniya that opens its door for everyone.  "The history of Hussainiyas in Kuwait is well known in educating the society, encouraging people to respect the state institutions, and it never incites violence and terrorism," added Rajab. Another Shiite clergyman, who asked to remain anonymous, told Al Watan Daily on a phone interview that the existence of Hussainiyat or Churches is related to the freedom of belief for the citizen or those who live in the country. However, he said that there are some parties that incite terrorism in mosques. " There are a number of people in the National Assembly who do not want the good of Kuwait, for instance when His Highness the Amir, may God grant him long life, visited Iraq they criticized the visit because they don't want for Kuwait to communicate and enjoy good relations with its neighboring countries," the clergyman said. T he Clergyman explained that in Islam, the Christians and Jews have the right to practice their rituals, he cited a saying of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) "who hurts a dhimmi, he hurts me". "Islam, according to these people, is unfortunately about a long dishdasha and a beard, and not the Islam of tolerance." He concluded. Regarding freedom of religion, Article 35 of the Kuwaiti constitution states "Freedom of belief is absolute. The State protects the freedom of practicing religion in accordance with established customs, provided that it does not conflict with public policy or morals." Meanwhile, and on a different topic, Sheikha Fariha Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, head of the Kuwaiti Association for the Ideal Family declared, during a visit to the Armenian Orthodox diocese in Salmiya, her support for Armenians living in Kuwait to obtain a plot of land for a church. For this she came under harsh criticism from Islamist MPs who stated that the issue "should not be left for personal and political courtesies." and further stated that she was not in any official position that would allow her to issue such a statement or "to make promises."  During an interview with Al Watan Sheikha Fariha stated that she has the right to express her opinions and beliefs as a citizen of Kuwait. In March, a member of parliament called for the demolishing of all churches from Kuwait, however, he later claimed he was misquoted, and that he actually meant that no further churches should be built in Kuwait. Reverend Emmanuel Gharib, Pastor of the National Evangelical Church said in a statement to the press that "Kuwait is one of the most tolerant countries in the world" Gharib said those behind the proposal should issue a public apology, pointing out the most disappointing aspect is that the calls coincided with the 50th anniversary of the issuance of the Constitution and initiated by a Kuwaiti who wants to settle scores with a compatriot due to differences in beliefs. He warned this move might make outsiders think that Kuwait is against freedom to practice one's own religion. The position of Islamist MP's was reinforced by a recent visit to Saudi Arabia by the Kuwait-based 'Society of the Revival of Islamic Heritage' to meet with Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia. During their meeting, they were told by the Grand Mufti that it is "necessary to destroy all the churches of the region," because on his deathbed, the prophet  Mohammed had decreed that "there are not to be two religions in the Arabian Peninsula" which he has taken to mean that no religion but Islam should be allowed anywhere in the Arabian Peninsula. The Mufti emphasized that because Kuwait is part of the Arabian Peninsula, it would be necessary to destroy all churches in the country. http://78.159.163.29:9205/DD3C884E1772543BD8DDDCAE67EB1E6E995445624BB21C3CAE6EE3DE1B849B1E86C16AFD90F73D411A531C9B0/watanpdf.alwatan.com.kw/alwatanPDF/WatanDaily/2012-04-16/2.pdf