Monday, November 28, 2011

Kuwait & Terrorism



Three Kuwaiti Officers Arrested For Ties With Terror CellsBahrain, Qatar Attacks Planned
KUWAIT CITY, Nov 27: The intelligence unit of the army has arrested three Kuwaitis working for the Ministry of Defence — one of them a captain and two sergeants - because of their alleged links with the terrorist cells that were recently busted in Bahrain and Qatar, reports Al-Shahed daily quoting knowledgeable security sources.
The sources said the arrest came following information received by the State Security police and details about interrogations with the arrested members of the cell conducted by the security authorities in Bahrain and Qatar.
The names of the three citizens working for the military came up during interrogations. Following this an unit from the military intelligence went to the workplace of the suspects and whisked them away for interrogation.
The source added the three Kuwaitis were in contact with the accused in Bahrain and Qatar and one of the ‘terrorists’ had even sent money to the Kuwaitis through a money exchange office.
The source added the recent visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior to Saudi Arabia was concerning this issue and to brief his Saudi counterpart on the latest developments of the investigation.
It had earlier been reported that a gang of terrorists was arrested in Bahrain and Qatar who were planning to carry out acts of sabotage on vital installations in Bahrain, including the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Manama and the King Fahd Causeway which links Saudi Arabia with Bahrain.


US Treasury Preps Report On Terror Funding By CharitiesKuwait Asked To Thoroughly Investigate Issue
KUWAIT CITY, Nov 25: The US Treasury has prepared a preliminary report on the terror financing operations allegedly being conducted by Kuwaiti charitable organizations and even forwarded a copy of it to Kuwaiti authorities, informed sources told Al-Dar daily.

Authorities have reviewed the report and will summon those accused in the report, said sources, adding more than one charitable society is involved in such suspicious activities. The US Treasury had been apparently monitoring the activities of these organizations and had asked officials to thoroughly investigate the issue.

Sources said authorities do not know exactly how much amount the charitable societies transferred overseas under the pretext of human aid, but know that some of the amount was used to aid terror operations.

A final report on the issue will be prepared and submitted to authorities at a later date, added sources.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Whoa! a Megachurch in Pakistan?!?


On one hand, these Christians have....COURAGE.......cajones lol...to build a big church in KARACHI! But I am SO VERY WORRIED for them....what a way to wipe out all the Christians in the community by targeting this building during...Christmas or Easter. I'm nervous for them....but I guess they're not as nervous! They are trusting in God & will keep living for Him even in the face of danger. Though they are poor they are rich in faith!!! These are my Pakistani brothers & sisters! They are so much braver than me.

Anyway, this article is also from The Arab Times
‘Now We Can Pray Together’
 KARACHI, Pakistan, Nov 20, (AP): Pakistan’s tiny and downtrodden Christian community thought big when constructing its latest church — a domed, three-story building that towers over the sprawling slum it serves and is the largest yet in the violent, Muslim country.
St Peter’s of Karachi, which opened its doors this month and can fit around 5,000 people, is a sign of the resilience of a faith that has long suffered from state discrimination and attacks by extremists allied with al-Qaeda and the Taleban.
The church took 11 months to build and cost $3.8 million, raised from local donations and from Roman Catholics around the world, said Father Saleh Diego. It was built on the site of a smaller church in Azam Basti district, a jumble of lanes and simple brick houses that is home to around 15,000 Christians.
“There were so many people here it was not possible for us to accommodate them on Sundays. Some were sitting at the back, some in the corner, some on the terrace,” said Diego. “Now we can pray together, all 5,000 people, worship the Lord and really share and strengthen our faith.”
Pakistani towns and cities are dotted with striking churches dating back to the 19th century, when the subcontinent was ruled by Britain. Newer churches do get built, especially by Protestant and evangelical groups, but are smaller, single-room affairs.

Tensions
In some predominantly Muslim countries, such as Egypt and Indonesia, the construction of new churches can trigger tensions and even violence, but those built in Pakistan normally sit in poor Christian neighborhoods like Azam Basti, so they rarely spark protests. Those few that are built in Muslim or commercial areas can expect some problems, said a Western missionary whose church is about to begin construction of a school and church complex in Punjab province.
“We had some opposition at the start,” said the man, who has lived legally and openly on a missionary visa in Pakistan for many years, but declined to give his name for security reasons. “If we put up a big cross, and we called it a seminary, then we would expect that the locals would give us some problems. We will do it slowly.”

Christians are often discriminated against in Muslim countries, but in Pakistan they face unique problems.
Most are the descendants of low-caste, “untouchable” Hindus, who converted to Christianity when the region was under British colonial rule. Today, many still do the same work as their ancestors: street sweeping, domestic service or other menial jobs.
They tend to live in ghettos of extreme poverty, often separated from their Muslim neighbors by high walls.

In Pakistan, Christians account for between 3 percent and 5 percent of the country’s 180 million people, split approximately equally between Roman Catholics and Protestants. There are even smaller numbers of Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists.

Accommodate
St Peter’s is roughly the same size as Karachi’s imposing British-era cathedral, St Patrick’s. But it can accommodate many more worshippers because they sit on the floor, not on benches as is common in churches visited by wealthier Pakistanis like St Patrick’s.
The church is a simple rectangular building, adorned with arches and dozens of Gothic spires. Dozens of stained-glass windows depict the sufferings of Jesus Christ, while the walls inside are painted shiny white with large frescos.

On a recent evening, many hundreds flocked to the church, where several young girls were being confirmed.
Dressed in their best clothes, the worshippers took off their shoes — which, like sitting on the floor, is an Islamic custom adopted by some churches here — before walking inside. They sang hymns to the accompaniment of a piano and a ‘dhol’, a traditional drum.
Outside, conversation turned to the predicament facing the community.

Over the past 10 years, the rise of al-Qaeda and Taleban militancy has made Christians a frequent target of bombings and shootings, along with other non-Sunni Muslims. In March this year, militants shot and killed Shahbaz Bhatti, the sole Christian minister in the government, for his campaign to modify blasphemy laws used to persecute Christians.
“We are called sweepers, and Muslims do not like to share their meals with us,” said 18-year-old Joseph Messieh, one of the worshippers at St Peter’s. “It is disgusting.”

Sharoon Gill, another young man, disagreed, saying this was unfair.
“Most of my friends are Muslims and we dine out. I never feel discriminated against,” he said.
Father Diego said the church was concerned about rising radicalism, but that his building had received no threats.
Without persecution there is no Christianity,” he said. “So we are faithful in persecution and we are faithful to the suffering.


Kuwaitis Protest at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait


So yesterday I posted the email warning that was sent to me by the U.S Embassy about a possible demonstration being held. I had not seen anything on Twitter about a protest at our embassy or heard of any reason why.  

But today I checked out The Arab Times Online and on their home page they had this as the feature article. So that answers my question!

‘Release Kuwaitis At Guantanamo’Citizens Protest In Front Of US Embassy
KUWAIT CITY, Nov 20: Around 400 Kuwaitis gathered in front of the US Embassy in Bayan Sunday to demand the release of the Kuwaiti inmates at Guantanamo Bay Prison, Fayez Al-Kandari and Fawzi Al-Awda.
Speaking at the gathering, MP Dr Waleed Al-Tabtabaei affirmed the protest action in part of efforts to secure the release of the two inmates. He condemned the detention without trial and called on the US government to release them as an act of friendship if it truly regards Kuwait as one.
Al-Tabtabaei said the WikiLeaks has published cables, quoting  former Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Khalid as saying that Kuwait does not want the inmates, while citing how the Israeli government went out of its way to secure the release of Gilad Shalit. He urged the Kuwaiti government to exert more efforts in demanding the immediate release of the Kuwaiti inmates in Guantanamo.
Meanwhile, head of the Guantanamo Inmates Support Group Fawzi Al-Enezi stressed the protesters have conveyed a clear message to the US embassy and its government, confirming the gathering of 20,000 signatures on a petition tilted “Guantanamo Prison is a Mark of Disgrace for the US.” He asked for the immediate release of the Kuwaiti inmates.
Also, attorney Adel Al-Abdulhadi appealed to the Kuwaiti and US governments to work together to guarantee the immediate release of both inmates.
 

By: Jaber Al-Humoud

While I definitely know America won't be releasing any prisoners from Gitmo just because they received a petition, these Kuwaiti's do have a point in that the prisoners should be getting a fair trial. But I don't think it will necessarily harm the friendship the U.S has with Kuwait. America isn't punishing Kuwait for their citizens being involved in plotting terrorism against the U.S, they are treating the individuals rather than the state. I think that's fair. Would Kuwait rather that we pull out of their tiny little country & let them defend themselves from...hmm...Iran & Iraq? Things between Iraq & Kuwait are getting a bit heated again since Kuwait is going forward with building this new port where Iraq says it will stop their only way of boat transportation.

But if Kuwaiti's want to play that game, why don't we quiz them as to why they released those 11 who plotted to attack Camp Arifjan (a U.S Military Base in Kuwait)? They found explosives, weapons, & their plans and thank God it never came to fruition, but because Kuwaiti Secret Service interrogated them too harshly they were freed!!!!! 

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Pakistan Blocks 'Obscene' Texts Including "Jesus Christ"



BBC
 The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has told mobile phone companies to begin blocking text messages containing "obscene" words.

Mobile phone companies Telenor Pakistan and Ufone confirmed to the BBC that the PTA has sent them a "dictionary" of banned words and expressions.
The PTA has reportedly ordered operators to begin screening text messages by 21 November.
Ufone say they are now working on how to block the offending words.
A letter dated 14 November, apparently written by Muhammad Talib Doger, an official at the PTA, has been leaked to Pakistani media.
It states that mobile phone operators should begin screening the words, provided on a list attached to the letter, within seven days.
"We have received both the dictionary and the memo and we're discussing a way forward," said Anjum Nida Rahman, corporate communications director for Telenor Pakistan.
The ban is a reaction to consumers' complaints of receiving offensive text messages, Mohammad Younis, a spokesman for the PTA, told The Guardian newspaper.
"Nobody would like this happening to their young boy or girl," he said. He added that the list was not finished and that the authority would continue to add to it.
'What am I missing?'
An unconfirmed version of the PTA's list is being circulated online, containing hundreds of words and expressions in both English and Urdu.
According to this version, the entries range from those too obscene to repeat to the bizarre.
Some of the choices on the list have baffled Pakistani mobile phone users, many of whom have taken to Twitter to ridicule the move.
Syed Adnan Yousuf, tweeting as @AdnanWhy, asked: "Why is 'head lights' banned? What am I missing here?"
Some people have suggested bypassing the ban by replacing words with their number on the PTA's list.
Pakistan has seen a big increase in mobile phone use in recent years - 100m Pakistanis are now estimated to be mobile phone users.
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Texters in Pakistan better start watching their language.
Pakistan’s telecommunications authority sent a letter ordering cell phone companies to block text messages containing what it perceives to be obscenities, Anjum Nida Rahman, a spokeswoman for Telenor Pakistan, said Friday.
It also sent a list of more than 1,500 English and Urdu words that were to be blocked.
The order was part of the regulator’s attempt to block spam messages, said Rahman. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority refused to comment on the initiative.
Many of the words to be blocked were sexually explicit terms or swear words, according to a copy of the list obtained by The Associated Press.
It also included relatively mild terms like fart and idiot.
The reasons for blocking some words, including Jesus Christ, headlights and tampon, were less clear, raising questions about religious freedom and practicality. Any word could conceivably be part of a spam message.
The letter, which was also obtained by the AP, was dated Nov. 14 and gave cell phone companies seven days to implement the order.
Rahman, the Telenor spokeswoman, said her company first received the letter Thursday and was discussing how to proceed.
“It’s a big issue, so it is being examined carefully from all points of view,” said Rahman.
The letter said the order was legal under a 1996 law preventing people from sending information through the telecommunications system that is “false, fabricated, indecent or obscene.”
It also stated that free speech can be restricted “in the interest of the glory of Islam.”
Under pressure from Islamists, Pakistan has blocked pornographic websites and ones deemed anti-Islamic. Last year, it temporarily banned Facebook because of material on the site deemed offensive to Islam.

There is a 1996 Pakistani Law where it states that free speech can be restricted "in the interest of the glory of Islam." 

Some of the allegedly banned words

  • Athlete's foot
  • Flatulence
  • Jesus Christ
  • Monkey crotch
  • Back door
  • Bewaquf (foolish)
  • Bakwaas (nonsense)
  • Wuutang (a presumed reference to American rap group the Wu-Tang Clan)
  • Fart
  • Idiot
  • Tampons
  • Headlights



Emergency Warden Message for Americans in Kuwait


Kuwait City, Kuwait
November 20, 2011

Subject:       Possible Protest Gathering at the U.S. Embassy on November 20, 2011

Please circulate the following message without additions or omissions immediately to all U.S.  Citizens within your area of responsibility.

There are unconfirmed reports of a possible silent protest gathering in front of the U.S. Embassy on Sunday, November 20 at 19:00.  The gathering may take place near the main Embassy gate.  An increased police and security presence around the Embassy compound is expected.

Spontaneous and planned demonstrations take place in Kuwait from time to time in response to world events or local developments.  At times, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.  Please avoid the areas of demonstrations and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any large gatherings.  Please stay current with media coverage of local events, be aware of your surroundings, and practice personal security awareness at all times.

U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at the following website:https://travelregistration.state.gov. U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at their destination.  By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

Updated information on travel and security may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).  

 For further information, please consult the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov where the Worldwide Caution and Country Specific Information can be found.  In addition, the Embassy encourages U.S. citizens to review "A Safe Trip Abroad," which includes valuable security information for those traveling or living in foreign countries.  You can also follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and on Facebook.

The U.S. Embassy is located at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa Street, Block 6, Plot 14, Bayan, Kuwait.  If you are a U.S. citizen in need of emergency assistance in Kuwait, you may reach the U.S. Embassy by calling +965-2259-1001 and requesting the duty officer.

U.S. citizens in Kuwait who would like to receive future Emergency and Informational Messages from the Embassy directly by e-mail may sign up for this service by sending an e-mail to the following address: join-wardenmessagekuwait@mh.databack.com

This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov
Please note that the Consular Section is closed for U.S. and most local holidays.  The current holiday schedule for 2011 is posted on http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/holidays.html.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

'Musical Parties' During Holiday is "Moral Corruption"

Sample Flyer of a party in Kuwait

 I understand the serious reflection of a holiday as big as Eid. Maybe what they think of "musical parties" is more of a club scene. In any case....I just have to shake my head at this because this is something an American would never see in the news. I'm thankful that in the West, religion or religious traditions are not forced upon us.

Don’t Sanction Musical Parties During Holidays

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 4: MP Mohammed Hayef has warned the government particularly the ministries of Interior, Commerce and Industry and Information against organizing music parties during the Eid Al-Adha holidays. The warning came following advertisements placed by some people through the media outlets, reports Al-Rai daily.

In press statement, MP Hayef referred to the advertisements and campaigns on social networking website Twitter by a group of youths who talked about organizing music parties in some suspicious locations during the Eid holidays.

The parliamentarian said such functions should be stopped. He also said the Ministry of Interior must fight this moral corruption in “our society. We will be watching closely any violations that will take place in this regard and take to task the authorities which fail to do their duty.”

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Shop the Holiday Bazaar in Kuwait & You Fund Charity


There will be a booth run by Operation Hope Kuwait selling baked goods which will fund their charity projects. I'm going to try and see if I can wake up early before work & go to this since it isn't far at all from where I live. 

Kuwait is Finally Looking into Forcing Employers to Pay their Employees!!!


I was just about to give three cheers for Kuwait after reading the following statement of the Ministry of Social Affairs & Labour stating they would look into enforcing sponsors to pay their workers by obligated bank transfers, when I realized....

This should have been law YEARS ago! Yes I applaud Kuwait for finally stepping up to protect their foreign national workers- God knows this will help bring them down a notch from the Human Rights Watch list. But this is only a STUDY OF THE PROPOSAL. So they could study all they want & still decide that is is not important to make Kuwaitis pay their workers. Now- given the fact that this legislation has actually made it up this far, is a good sign. I sure hope the Ministry goes forward with making this proposal law because it is the right thing to do. Especially since some Sponsors (Kuwaiti Employers) sometimes withhold payment from 6 months to a year!!!

Proposal To Bank Pay Of Domestics
KUWAIT CITY, Nov 2: The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, in coordination with the Domestic Labor Department at the Ministry of Interior, will study a proposal on obligating sponsors to transfer the salaries of their household workers to the local banks.

In a press statement Wednesday, Head of the Labor Relations Department at the ministry Hadi Al-Enzi disclosed the Higher Committee for Organizing Domestic Labor will soon refer the proposal to the concerned authorities for discussion.

Al-Enzi said two other proposals have been presented — one is requiring the sponsors to issue a receipt written in Arabic, English and the mother tongue of the workers, while the other is the submission of the monthly salary transfer advice to the relevant departments. He pointed out most disputes between the workers and their sponsors arise from the non-payment or delayed payment of salaries. He revealed some employers do not pay salaries for six months.

By: Al-Sayed Al-Qassas


Kuwait Arrests Tweeters


Kuwait arrests FOUR 'Twitter Activists' on the typical ego-trip charge of insulting 'royal sanctity.' However, there is outcry from within Kuwait & they make a good point- what does this show the international community about Kuwait??? In my opinion as a Westerner, I expected Kuwait to be highly strict. But they aren't as strict as I expected (I expected a mini Saudi Arabia). They are very conservative of course but there is a lot of hypocrisy. Taboos are only taboos if no one knows or sees. It's human nature! But to arrest people because they insulted royalty? His Highness must know that there will always be critical people. We can't please everybody. If leaders have nothing to be ashamed of & they are sincerely making decisions for what is best for the people, then they need not worry about what the opposition thinks- especially since there are only 4. I guess I understand the possibility of 4 activists turning into 400 then 4,000 but if only 4 are active, then maybe the majority of Kuwaitis are ok with HH? I don't know...all I know is that Kuwait arrested 4 people for Tweeting. It's stupid & I'm reporting it so that the international community can read how ridiculous it is to arrest people for insulting each other.

Twitter Arrests Slammed By MPs, Political Bodies‘Dubai-Based Firm Monitoring Site’
KUWAIT CITY, Nov 2: Opposition MPs and political movements condemned on Wednesday the arrest of four Kuwaiti Twitter activists on the charge of insulting the royal sanctity, His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah.

The arrests were announced by the Ministry of Interior on Tuesday, which said in a statement that it had been following the activists and has seen evidence of the transgression on the social networking site. Two of the activists, Hamad Al-Alayan and Tarek Al-Mutairi, were referred to the Public Prosecution after investigations and are scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.

MPs Daifallah Buramiya, criticized the Interior Ministry’s interference with the basic freedom of opinion. He said the arrests have proved that the ministry is still being managed by ‘a repressive policing ideology’ that violates the Constitution and basic freedoms.

The method of “gagging” is useless, Buramiya added, it merely harms Kuwait’s reputation internationally. He said it seems Kuwait’s ministers are working with the prime minister, to protect him from criticism and warned Minister of Interior, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Humoud, of severe political repercussions.

For his part, Islamist MP Mohammad Hayef questioned what he describes as the “double standards” of the interior ministry. He said the arrests of Twitter activists, which only serve certain agendas, while ignoring those who have committed blasphemy against the Divine, the Prophet ‘s (PBUH) wife in the media and tore national unity, will not be tolerated.

MPs Abdulrahman Al-Anjari, Mubarak Al-Walaan, Musallam Al-Barrak and Falah Al-Sawagh further described the interior ministry actions as an attempt to transform Kuwait into a “police state.” The Islamic Constitutional Movement (ICM), opposition youth organization ‘the Fifth Fence’ among others also condemned the arrests and called on MPs and political movements to act in protection of democratic freedoms.

Al-Barrak said the Interior Ministry is interpreting of its own accord what it has seen on Twitter to intimidate activists justify arrests, not for the protection of the royal sanctity. He insisted the allegations are false as the Kuwaiti people have always respected the Amiri sanctity.

Al-Barrak further claimed that there is a Dubai-based company, owned by a Palestinian, which monitors Twitter activists and is paid by the prime minister’s office. He said the company sends reports to the Ministry of Interior on all what is tweeted on Prime Minister, Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah.
The opposition MP addressed Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud and urged him not to appease the PM at the expense of freedom, and to monitor Kuwait’s security status instead of Twitter activists.
 

By: Nihal Sharaf

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Help The Needy in Kuwait This Winter!




November 2, 2011

Mother Teresa once said, "We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love."

Tis the start of autumn in Kuwait, which means winter is just around the corner.  While the cold season is relatively short-lived in Kuwait it can get quite cold - especially for the street sweepers, and others working in the labor industry.  More often than not they are under dressed for the rain & cold while they perform their work duties. It has been the goal of OH-Kuwait to provide winter warmth for our brothers & sisters in need since 2005. 

This year our goal is to provide winter warmth to 2,500 such workers each in one of three ways:  1) a winter warmth bag consisting of thermals, socks, gloves, and a hat, 2) a heavy-duty blanket, or 3) a coat. 

Will you help us?

Further to that goal is another important project concerning the maids living at their embassy's shelter.  We aim to provide each with a toiletry bag which contains: a toothbrush, toothpaste, body soap, shampoo, and sanitary napkins.  We estimate at this time there are more than 1,000 such shelter residents in need of these basic toiletries. 

Will you help us? 

We have determined that the average cost per person for either campaign is KD 4.  Here's how you can help: 

1) sponsor 1, 2 or 100 needy people by presenting us with the funds in which to purchase these items. 

 2) purchase & bag the aforementioned items (for a set # of people) and bring them to our premises before December 1st, and we'll deliver them to the needy (our address will be provided upon request). 

 3) Or directly pay our wholesale merchant for the # of workers you wish to sponsor and he'll deliver your pre-paid goods to our premises, whereby our volunteers will bag them and deliver them (contact details will be provided upon request). 

Mother Teresa was also noted for saying, "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." Your provision of support will mean a great deal to those receiving the help.  Any of these means of service could be managed individually or corporately - you choose; but DO choose to help, please. 

We always welcome new volunteers to sort, bag, and distribute aide to Kuwait's neediest ~ won't you join us? 

Sincerely,
Sheryll Mairza
Founder

Gulf Women Have Vitamin 'D' Deficiency- DUH!


It doesn't take a genius to figure out WHY Arab women in the Middle East have a deficiency in Vitamin D. Look at the photo! If they're not in their abayas then they're in really expensive, stylish designer outfits with arms, chest, hair (most of the time), & legs covered. But the article below doesn't mention that perhaps their dress code is the biggest reason for the cause. Look, I understand covering up is important to these women because they want to be very modest  (or because they have to obey the man in the family who makes them cover up). But what they need is sun exposure and it's not going to happen when they are completely covered up like that. 

Vitamin D Deficiency An ‘Epidemic’ In GulfOsteoporosis Risk Increasing: Kuwait Doctors
KUWAIT CITY, Oct 31: Kuwait doctors have warned that the lack of sufficient vitamin D intake is becoming a growing problem in the state and entire region, due to lack of exposure to sunlight, leading to an increased risk of the debilitating bone disease osteoporosis and associated bone fractures.

The warning was issued this week by doctors attending the “New Era in Treatment of Osteoporosis” Speaker Tour in Kuwait, where physicians gathered to listen to Professor Serge Ferrari, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Bone Diseases, Department of Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, Geneva University Hospital, Switzerland, a world expert in osteoporosis.

“The Middle East has the highest vitamin D deficiency worldwide, and this statistic is not decreasing at all and in fact we see younger people every day with severely low levels of the mineral. Younger patients have lower bone mineral density (BMD) levels compared to the standards, and fractures are occurring at a lower age than the equivalent in the Caucasian population,” said Nadia Al Ali, Head of Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Amiri Hospital, Kuwait.

“Unfortunately the Gulf is synonymous now with bad lifestyle choices that increase the risk of contracting osteoporosis, such as lack of physical activity, bad diet, and reduced sun exposure due to the extremely hot summers,” she added.

Osteoporosis affects one in two women and one in four men over the age of 50, higher than the incidence of breast cancer and prostate cancer respectively, with the rate of osteoporosis-related fractures almost doubling over the last decade. 

Statistics suggest an osteoporotic fracture occurs every three seconds, with one in three women and one in five men over 50 years old expected to be burdened with a fracture at some point.

“Once someone gets their first osteoporosis-related fracture, it doubles the risk for the second. Once a bone is fractured for the second time, it triples the risk for the third, and so on.  BMD tests are therefore crucial in the Middle East for people over 60, which is still younger than the international standards of 65 for women and 70 for men due to the increased risk factors here,” added Dr Al Ali, who is also a Clinical Member of the Committee for the Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis, a committee under the umbrella of Kuwait’s Ministry of Health.

 The committee established the first Kuwait-specific guidelines for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and also made available all drugs licensed for the treatment of osteoporosis.
Vitamin D deficiency is the result of lack of exposure to the sun and poor dietary intake of foods containing the vitamin, such as fish and eggs. Vitamin D is essential for bone health as it assists in the absorption of calcium, without which the bones become less dense and fracture easily.

Many people do not know they have osteoporosis until they suffer a fracture and undergo a Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan to check their bone density.

Treating osteoporosis involves reducing bone resorption using bisphosphonate drugs, which are either taken weekly or monthly orally. However, a new medication, which is given via an infusion, only needs to be administered once a year, so helping to improve medication compliance.

Spending 10 minutes per day, exposing 40 percent of the body area such as the back, arms and legs to the sun as well as eating sufficient foods containing vitamin D, are both recommended actions for helping to maintain vitamin D levels within the normal range that prevents osteoporosis.

The “New Era in Treatment of Osteoporosis” Speaker Tour took place 24 October at the JW Marriott Hotel in Kuwait City.


I Don't Get it...Do You?


I'm not sure if this is some kind of joke...or if this is a serious "Important Public Announcement." I was on The Arab Times Online website when I saw a ticker at the top of the page saying "Important Public Announcement." So I clicked on it expecting something seriously important. All I saw was the photo above. I'm not familiar with animal slaughter-houses so...I don't know what to make of this. 

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Combat Troops in Kuwait instead of Iraq



Remember when Obama said the troops will be home for Christmas because he was keeping his 'promise' of pulling out of Iraq??? Well- that's partly true.....but it's also very misleading! They're going from Iraq to next door!

From The Arab Times Online

US Said Negotiating ‘Combat Presence’ In Kuwait

WASHINGTON, Oct 30, (RTRS): The United States is planning to bolster its military presence in the Gulf after it pulls out its remaining troops from Iraq, the New York Times reported in its online edition on Sunday.

President Barack Obama said on Oct 21 that he had decided to withdraw all US troops from Iraq by the end of the year and the paper said that US military officers and diplomats worried that the withdrawal could bring instability to the region.

It said Washington was negotiating to maintain a combat presence on the ground in Kuwait and was considering deploying more warships in the area.

No one at the Pentagon was immediately available to comment.

The United States also wanted to expand its military ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, it said.

The proposal needed approval by GCC leaders who are due to meet in the Saudi capital Riyadh in December, the paper said.