mando140
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I haven't seen anyone post about this so i thought I would.
My country's (Edit: Kuwait) great leader, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah a champion of peace and humanitarian efforts has passed away today (2 days ago unfortunately my account was hacked and just recovered it) at the age of 91. His loss will be deeply felt throughout the country and the Middle-east.
He served as foreign minister, prime minister and eventually as the Head of State.
His efforts helped shape our foreign policy as well as forged the relationship we have with many countries and is the reason why we have allies across the globe. And has helped mediate peace between different nations, always has chosen to avoid confrontation such as the meddling in Yemen which he was against and tried to bring an end to.
He is now succeeded by his half brother Sheikh Nawaf, May he have the strength and wisdom as his late brother and guide us through this difficult time.
انا لله وانا إليه راجعون
Edit: Thank you all for your kind words, for the ones with not so good things to say, remember we have been a country for only 60 years and been a town for 80 or so and we have advanced alot where as most countries had 300 or 400 years to progress, that most of you live in that are judging us so harshly, we are doing our best and working hard, you can't expect us to have your advancement in 1/4 of the time you did.
Seems a bit hypocritical considering if I went to the start of your town or country and went 60 or 80 years from establishment I would see some pretty horrific and fucked up shit that would cause us to look like angels compared to you. Wiping of indigenous people, wars bordering on genocide, conquering half the globe while raping and pillaging. We all have a dark past.
SalacioussCrumb
He was a force for piece in the GCC. Hope others will have the same clear head and diplomatic tact he had.
speershawks
A huge loss not only for the middle east, but the globe.
sevenpastzeero
رحمه الله واثابه وجعل مثواه الجنة. -اخوك من العراق
MrNardtastic
falyadhhab mae allah my brother. (Hope google translated that correctly but if not.. May he go with God my brother.
Kaivarii0210
I am sorry for you. I hope his brother lives up to his legacy
patriSleepVillain
RIP
Sm9yCg
So are you now getting freedom, democracy and abolish slavery? or will just another sheik inhert the throne?
TheFastpaws
Sucks man.
CgnCalling
Your commemoration appears heartfelt and sincere, which is a sign that the world lost a good and wise leader. May he rest in peace!
OpinionsAreLikeAssholes
رحم الله روحه.
Wasnbo
I don't know anything about Kuwait, except it was a comfy place when I was getting ready to go home for R&R. (1/2)
Wasnbo
Sucks to lose someone who helped make that Tent City such a safe space for soldiers coming and going.
ryleysmama5
My condolences on your loss.
disinformatique
Amen to that brother/sister. May Allah Guide his soul to heaven.
JustSomePersonThere
Thank you bringing this to our attention he sounded like a great person, and his loss will be felt even by those who don’t know him.
mando140
Indeed, he was a huge source of stability in the Middle-east, think he said his biggest regret, is being unable to stop Yemen invasion
Richter12x2
As an American, I feel empathy for you. Wait, 'empathy'? Sorry, I meant 'envy.'
moecurlylarry
Yisgadal
dontmakemeanoptimist
I’m sorry to hear that - it’s such a shame to lose a compassionate human as a leader at the moment...
youareagreatguybut
Well... Let's see https://www.menarights.org/en/articles/kuwaits-human-rights-record-examined-un-member-states
mando140
Honestly there's too much for me to talk about in the comments, it needs a whole post/essay to explain and address these accusations
PillepalleVienna
Maybe the time will come now to tackle the exploitation of foreign workers, rights of homosexual people and religious freedom.
mando140
We have religious freedom, exploitation is a long topic but believe me working on it, homosexuals they don't care but no flaunting it
DonkeyGoat
Sorry you lost a good leader that was loved and respected
mando140
Appreciate it my man! Hopefully his brother can reach the same heights!
Asatim
hm champion of peace and humanitarian...except for Kuwait...https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Kuwait
mando140
We been cracking down hard, shit takes time to solve, but yeah sure whatever helps you think we such baddies
Asatim
Showing some facts does not mean I think Kuwaitian people are baddies. Criticizing a leader does not mean criticizing his people.
thedewser
Sorry for your country's loss. Hopefully he has a good predecessor to continue his efforts!
mando140
Thank you! We all hope he can continue to bring the same stability his brother did to the region
HenryLongfellowIII
*successor
thedewser
Woops, sorry too early here when replied. My coffee had not kicked in.
CakeTerrorizer
So when do you vote for a new leader?
mando140
The "Leaders" are parliament, our Emir is more like the UK Queen, only comes in when needed
BoogieBiBear
The Amir is the head of the executive branch and is not an elected official. That part is a monarchy. The parliament is elected.
KleptoKea
During their elections. Unlike USA, they actually are a democracy
CakeTerrorizer
So when is the election?
KleptoKea
When is yours, American? We know it's supposed to be Nov 3rd, but let's be serious. You guys are about to let a dictatorship start.
WuntchtimeIsOver
I think OP was just genuinely curious
BoogieBiBear
Uh...no. The Emir is not an elected official. He is a member of the royal family, Al-Sabah, and is succeeded by the crown prince he selected
loaqswki
Read about that in the news the other day. Always a shame to lose a figure of stability.
mando140
Indeed, at a turbulent time when he came to power he had kept us stable
ClandestineOstrich
People of true decency are rare in this world. How many truly decent kings did England have? Maybe only one, Edward III. A few others tried.
mando140
I honestly can't say for other countries, but thankfully Kuwait has been blessed with Kind and Wise Emirs
ClandestineOstrich
A rare blessing. It may be the LORD has chosen Kuwait for a great purpose in the future as the world falters.
Wepfmokk
Great country, if you don't mind the prosecution of lgbts, discrimination of the bidun, and restrictions to freedom of expression.
Wepfmokk
Lol, trying to silence the truth by downvoting. Classic Kuwait.
mando140
This requires such a lengthy response that a single celled organism like yourself can't comprehend
Wepfmokk
"I totally know the perfect comeback, but you wouldn't get it." Sure mate, not pathetic at all, move along if you got nothing to say
KleptoKea
Sounds like you're describing USA mate
Wepfmokk
Yes, Rikers Island is full of gays. Genius comment bro
KleptoKea
USA has serious discriminatory problems with LGBTQ, and the shitsack in chief you guys elected certainly has a problem with 1/
KleptoKea
free speech. Shall we also talk about how your country was developed on the backs of black slavery, human trafficking, and 2/
KleptoKea
the genocide of your natives? Kuwait is a fuckin utopia compared to that shitheap we call USA. Enjoy though. 3/3
factcheckmate
Any champion of peace and humanitarian efforts should be celebrated, no matter background or nationality
TheHaloFollower
The fact that this has to be mentioned. Honestly the state of affairs
mando140
Absolutely right! Also by your nickname fuck them loot boxes they added for the return of WT auf E110 event, took me 90 to get the T77
factcheckmate
I got 40 boxes, t77 came out of first one
mando140
Damn you lucky fuck! My 2nd account is 60 boxes and still counting loool I did get STG ELC HWK though on that one, shit but hey ill take it
usingYourMomAsAHat
Interactions like these is amazing. Also sorry about your loss of leader.
mando140
Thank you
ClandestineOstrich
Isn't it obvious that their nationality makes no difference? Sad you know people who make you feel necessary to say that.
mando140
It is a sad world as of late
Azurestar
I mean a huge number of people feel that way. It's awful
ClandestineOstrich
I live in Canada, Azurestar. Many of the old stock Canadians keep themselves distant from ethnics like me. We're of a secretly lower status.
Azurestar
That blows hard my friend, I'm sorry
ActionJohnnie
If his half brother is taking over, he was not a champion of democracy.
mando140
Then by your logic the UK is not a democracy
ActionJohnnie
Post unclear. Taking over as political leader or head of state?
mando140
Head of state, which like the UK, is more ceremonial and only steps in when really needed or massive fuck up by government
ActionJohnnie
Very good. Thanks for clarifying.
mando140
Anytime my dude, happy to shed light on what is a confusing area of the world to the outside view !
BoogieBiBear
Saying it's like the UK is disingenuous. He appoints the prime Minister who appoints the heads of government. That's not ceremonial.
BoogieBiBear
He doesn't appoint the Prime Minister from the members of parliament. He selects a member of the royal family.
MatthewBecker
One of the few chill countries in the Middle East
bobaFoot
Kuwait be like, don't look them in the eye, don't look them in the eye, just keep looking straight, you got this, you got this...
mando140
Yes it, bit boring sometimes but definitely chill
algavinn
I could use a lot more chill. The US is legit moving toward a civil war. Chill is good.
sarkonas
I mean, boring in the Middle East is a pretty good result. May you always have good leaders serving your people. I'm rooting for Kuwait.
TheFastpaws
World needs more chill.
InhumanDookieCannon
Honest question: why do do many Arabic names have al-_____ ?
OlderWiser
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn6OrlRjKMA
AussieBloke6502
I believe it's very like how we use O' (Irish) or Mc (Scottish) or von (German), meaning 'of' or 'from' so your name shows your lineage.
OF37
"al" means "the", I think family names and honorific sound more formal that way in Arabic sentence structure (arabic is my first language)
ArchangelTitus
Al is a way of saying "of the tribe" So his name translates to "Title (Sheikh) First name (Sabah) of the tribe Ahmad, of the tribe Jaber,
ArchangelTitus
of the tribe Sabah." Sheikh is the title given to the head of the tribe or ruler of the country. I recently asked this of a friend in UAE
tlamstrike
'al' or 'el' means 'the'. If the word following the 'al' ends in 'i' it normally means 'of a place' or 'of a profession'.
InhumanDookieCannon
Cool! Thanks!
mando140
Explained it well
BoogieBiBear
Two reasons. 1) Like in Spanish, it can mean "the". 2) It was shortened over time from Aal which which means "the family of".
mando140
Yes it also means (the) in Arabic its ال which alot of words have السيارة = the car
TrustMeImADog
Another common pre-fix is "bin", meaning son of, so "Ali bin Faisal al-Budaiyah" would be Ali, son of Faisal, of Budaiyah (family or place).
BoogieBiBear
I love the fact that there are Arabs with last name Al-Roumi...the Roman. Going waaay back on ancestry there.
TrustMeImADog
The Seljuk Turk Sultans, following the capture of Constantinople, styled themselves Sultan of Rum, laying claim to that glorious pedegree.
FlatPlutoSociety
Thank god we don't do that in English. Erik, son of Bob, from Indiana doesn't have the same ring to it.
TrustMeImADog
Eric Robertson. Which Eric Robertson, I know 3? You know, Texan Eric Robertson.
Scave
Those types in English come more from our earlier Germanic/old English roots.Erickson or Ericdottir and O’Connell are son or daughter of 1/2
Scave
Vanderbilt and vonwerden, from bilt or werden. It’s up to you how much you want to consider them English per say.2/2
FlatPlutoSociety
Haha I know. I just wanted an excuse to say "Erik, son of Bob, from Indiana" because it sounds hilarious. :)
BoogieBiBear
Interestingly, middle names are not a thing in Arabic culture. Instead, government IDs show your name then dad's name then grandpa then fam
BoogieBiBear
As a result, the use of "bin" chaining is mostly in formal settings like when referring to the Emir.
innagaddavidababy
What country?
teslagrl
Kuwait
Cortezdelanoche
Asking the real question that should have been answered in the post.
cunninglinguist85
Q8
witalaska4
Re-read it very slowly and you’ll find out
KleptoKea
Come on dude.
Jackalop
Nothing wrong with someone trying to educate themselves
license2kilt
I mean, could you name every head of state from every country?
KleptoKea
the main ones, yes. I'd google in all the other cases
ArcFaultBoogaloo
It clearly says HIS country.
JanickenSkywalker
It’s like that scene in the first Men in Black... ?
mando140
I apologise as when I made the post I had thought It was in there
ArcFaultBoogaloo
Don't worry about it, I don't get to make cheap jokes very often, it was nice to finally get my chance, so thank you for that.
cuddlydingo
I was going to say, "Typical American," but then I realized I didn't know, either.
mando140
My fault i thought I had wrote it in the post!
kittybuttwiggle
I don't think it's typical for anyone to stay current with the leadership of 190+ nations. Can always look up ones that don't rub off on you
NZSheeps
Typical.... ummm ... Aussie?
Pentacus
He's a dingo... So I guess?
Sasurau
Is he the one that ate my baby?
mando140
Kuwait my dude
PigsWeGetWhatPigsDeserve
No, no, let him speak.
SomeCommenter
Kuwait seemed nice when I rolled through in 2010, sorry my dude
macliMovieJunkie
I still remeber his brother Fahad, was killed by Iraqi army in defending the palace, very brave man.
CheeseBelongsInTheKitten
Okay I read the question and immediately thought "Kuwait, my dude", then I open replies and get this? Weird.
BeerIsVegan
So power passing on family lines. Still no democracy or you can vote?
vonkeswick
If you don't mind my asking, I'm really curious, what's the significance of "al-" in front of names?
mando140
Its like someone pointed out in one comment, O' in certain Irish names, or Von in Dutch/German names
Perkunas687
Is it stressful being in Kuwait, with SA, Iraq, and Iran surrounding the country? I'd have a head of gray hair in a week.
CyranoDeBurlapSack
I’ve been in a room with people who despised each other. They barely notice you.
mando140
1/? Politically, It is stressful indeed, especially with them belittling us, sometimes threatening us but at the same time beg us for help
mando140
2/? However we get along with the people well, unfortunately though there are tensions between certain groups/tribes
HenryLongfellowIII
How are relations with Qatar?
ShaveSteedlesmack
I fought to liberate your country from Saddam in the early 90’s. I’m sorry for your loss.
mando140
We thank you and GB Sr. We were all sad when he passed
ByeDon2020
I wish we stopped after Operation Desert Storm and not faked the whole WMD thing.
melmboundanddown
Or completed it back then and been done with it
mando140
1/? Idk why it was never mentioned in your papers, but before the invasion, Iraq attacked us again then you stepped in and saved us again
mando140
2/? We were invaded a 2nd time but we repelled them quickly at the border since we still had US presence still here that helped, We had to
ByeDon2020
Was that part of the attack on Kurds in Kuwait. Its so long I don’t even remember the sequence of events.
demonic
It's kool I'll wait till you tell us.
GINGIVITISSS
GINGIVITISSS
(actually though, that was some good shit)
fairleenormal
Sorry to hear this. Spent a year in Kuwait, such a welcoming country. I hope his brother can continue on his work.
mando140
Thank you! hope you had a great experience!
thegrimtrigger
I spent a few days in Kuwait City back in 1990.
whatspaulplayingtoday
Good luck to Kuwait, my friend. May Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah rest in peace.
fairleenormal
I did. Made life long friends, experienced many new things and learnt a lesson or 10. I miss many things but not the peak of summer heat!
Imgerruinedimger
I loved Kuwait! Except for the unmarked speed bump in the middle of the freaking desert! Who's idea was that?!
RickyIWannaGoFastBobby
I was there in March, everybody is so kind. And the city was nice to walk around. But, man did I feel poor there! Lol
fairleenormal
Sitting in the cafes out front of the Movenpick losing track of how many exotic cars go by.
Sgtcandyass
I felt poor in Qatar. I just feel poor in general.