The Kuwait Towers lit up against the night sky
Recently my friend, Linda, invited me to an InterNations event at the Kuwait Towers. It has been closed since 2012 so I was excited to go. We had a beautiful buffet supper and then we took the elevator up to the top to see a panoramic view of the city and the Persian Gulf. The view on the top of this 614 foot tower was breathtaking. This top deck has a revolving platform which makes makes a complete 360° turn every thirty minutes. This was definitely one of those times that I wish I had a better camera!
The Kuwait Towers were built in the seventies and officially inaugurated in 1979. The Kuwait Towers symbolize the opulence and prosperity of this tiny country that has become one of the ten richest countries per capita in the world. The main tower has two spheres. The lower sphere is divided into two parts. The top part holds the restaurant, a cafe, a lounge, and a reception area. The bottom half of the sphere contains a water tank of 4,500 cubic meters. The second smaller tower serves as a water reservoir and the third tower houses equipment to illuminate the two larger towers.
A view of the lower dome through the glass
Saddam Hussein's army nearly destroyed these iconic structures during the Gulf War in 1990. Iraqi soldiers deliberately shattered the towers' electrical facilities and wrecked the interior and exterior with gunfire and shrapnel. The damage was estimated to be nearly 75% of the facility. Repairs were made at a cost estimate of about 6.5 million dollars. By December 26 of 1992, it was officially reopened to the public
There aren't a lot of tourist destinations in Kuwait, but this was one that was well worth the visit.
Joshi!
One of the real pleasures of teaching overseas is getting to know people from different cultures. We have teachers here from many parts of the world. Joshi is from India. I think the first thing I noticed about Joshi was her beautiful scarves and colorful, flowing abayas. Her warm smile lights up a room. She is a kindergarten teacher here at UAS. She started out as an assistant in 1998 and was hired as a teacher in 2007.
Joshi and her handsome husband, Bishara
Joshila Bishara was born in India in 1976 and came to Kuwait as a young bride in 1997. She attended Farook College where she received a bachelor's degree in commerce. In 2009 she completed her Master's in Education and Curriculum Instruction from the University of Phoenix. Joshi and her husband Bishara have been happily married for nineteen years and have two young daughters; Rasha who is fifteen and Khadija who is ten. I asked her how she met her husband and then I learned some very interesting details about marriage in the Muslim culture. Joshi never met her husband, Bishara, until a week before they were married! Bishara's cousin was a friend of Joshila's. She and his cousin both attended college together. He asked his cousin to ask Joshi if she would consider marrying him. She agreed, then the families were contacted and consented to the marriage. Young Muslims do not date. The families either arrange a marriage or in Joshi's case, families are contacted through a second party and the marriage is either agreed to or rejected. I can't imagine my parents selecting my future mate, much less my daughter trusting me and her father to find her the perfect match, but speaking as a divorcee, who am I to criticize someone in an arranged marriage for nineteen years who is perfectly happy? It would be an interesting study to compare the level of happiness between the marriages of those who chose their own spouses and those who are in an arranged marriage. Living overseas certainly can broaden your prospective and make you rethink about how we live our lives in western culture.
Older daughter, Rasha, with her doodle art
Another interesting aspect of Muslim culture is the matter of dress. Some women wear the traditional hijab or what the western world would describe as a headscarf and some do not. Some always wear an abaya while others choose to wear more westernized clothing. Joshi has been covered since her first daughter was born. She explained to me that the decision to wear a hijab was a very personal one. A woman who has decided to cover is expressing her heartfelt faith as a pious Muslim woman. She must never again go out in public without her hijab and only her husband and male members of her immediate family can see her hair. Joshi wears a hijab with style grace. I don't think I've ever seen her wear the same scarf twice! A sweeter and kinder person you will never find.
I asked Joshi to talk about her faith so my readers could have a better understanding of what it means to be a Muslim. We hear so much about jihadists and caliphates, it's difficult and confusing to sort out the truth from propaganda. Joshi explained that Isis and groups like them have used the Muslim faith to seek power and influence and anyone who kills in the name of the Muslim faith is not a true believer.
Social conduct is very important in Islam because Muslims must work to earn Paradise in this world. Islam teaches that each of us must be the best human possible within our capacity. Be conscious that Allah is always watching you. Muslims need to talk politely, act with kindness, be humble, do not be arrogant, do not argue, stay calm, and control their anger. No matter how religious you are, if you have a bad temper our Prophet says you are a Muslim in name only. You need to talk calmly with your family and out of practice you then automatically talk nicely to others outside the house including your neighbor's who are non-Muslims. Prophet said that a person who is not very religious but with the best social conduct might be a person standing next to Prophet on the day of judgement. When one dies, if all the people knew the dead says he was a nice person then that might be enough for Allah to grant him or her Paradise.
Charity is an important facet of Islam. There is an important mandatory charity called called Zakat that every Muslim must give during Ramadan. Zakat is 2.5% of your total assets which include jewelry, properties and bank balance. The Prophet taught that even a smile is charity. A poor should give Zakat with what he has, even if that is just a small piece of date.
Lastly, Joshi would like you to understand that not all Muslim men with a beard or Muslim women who are covered are terrorists. There are good and bad people in Islam just like any other religions. It is mentioned in the Quran that you preach your religion and let others preach theirs. Do not be judgmental. Our Creator will judge each one, but we should not judge each other.
Enjoying a final moment with her class before graduation
Final Thoughts
Another year gone by here in Kuwait. It's like anything, when you are in the midst of it, it seems like time moves at glacial pace. When you look back, it seems like time has flown by. I think the important thing to do is to try to savor each moment. Rejoice in the good and learn from the bad. Continue to move forward. That's what I have tried to do. Writing this blog has been a big part of that effort. Much thanks to all of you who have responded with encouragement and kind words. It's what keeps
my "pen" busy with you, my readers always in the back of my mind.
Adorable pictures from a thank you card from one of the third grade classes. Thank you, Joan!
This was given to me by a group of fourth grade girls. The nicest compliment I have ever received.
