More dangerous than Iran and Israel
we are living in a highly sensitive period due to the repercussions of the recent war waged by israel and the united states against iran. in response, iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones at the gulf states, causing destruction to homes, seaports, airports, oil refineries, and petroleum storage facilities.
iran showed no regard for innocent lives or for the bonds of neighborliness, brotherhood, and kinship, treating the gulf states as if they were its fiercest enemies. the number of missiles and drones that struck kuwait and other gulf countries exceeded those launched at israel.
this aggression may negatively affect relationships within society and weaken the multi-ethnic and multi-sectarian social fabric that has existed since kuwait’s founding. in this context, al-qabas published a statement on social media suggesting that neutrality in critical moments leads to lasting shame and that failing to take a firm stance is a moral and national shortcoming.
before responding to this statement, i wish to clarify two points. first, i am a devoted reader of al-qabas, and my loyalty to it is well known. i have refused financial offers to leave and write for competing newspapers. second, i am among the few who maintain true neutrality in this country. despite professional challenges, business pressures, and various accusations and lawsuits, i have remained independent and have not aligned with any political, sectarian, or social group.
therefore, i write objectively in rejecting the meaning behind the opinion expressed by al-qabas. in my view, this opinion is unhelpful, harsh, and unfairly criticizes an essential pillar of this society. i urge al-qabas not to pursue this approach.
i also address those who accuse others of lacking loyalty. some people insist that everyone must publicly prove their loyalty to the nation or risk being labeled as traitors. however, according to legal, logical, and humanitarian principles, every citizen is presumed loyal until proven otherwise by a court of law.
no one is required to repeatedly declare their loyalty, as loyalty cannot be measured by social media posts, articles, or even patriotic expressions such as poems, songs, or music. words do not always reflect what is in the heart.
i call on everyone to stop making such accusations. given our geographic position, size, and the surrounding risks, we cannot afford internal disputes over loyalty. those who are truly disloyal will face the consequences of their actions.
we must demonstrate to our enemies that our nation is stronger than their attempts to divide us. national unity strengthens both society and the armed forces. as iqbal al-ahmad stated, in times of tension, a nation’s strength is measured not only by its weapons but also by the awareness and resilience of its people.
what kuwait recently experienced was not just a passing incident but a real test that proved the strength of the nation and the unity of its people in defending their land and dignity. we must preserve this unity and avoid holding everyone responsible for the actions of a misguided few.
