عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

Nawaf Al-Ahmad: Prince of Amnesty, Combating Corruption

Kuwait’s late leader, Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Kuwait’s late leader, Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
20
TT

Nawaf Al-Ahmad: Prince of Amnesty, Combating Corruption

Kuwait’s late leader, Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Kuwait’s late leader, Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Kuwait’s late leader, Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, started his time as ruler by granting amnesty and concluded his reign by pardoning people who were convicted.

Upon assuming the reins of power on September 29, 2020, Emir Nawaf initiated efforts to foster an atmosphere of reconciliation and amnesty. These endeavors led to the resolution of crises that had plagued the country during a period of political turmoil.

The late ruler also saw to the initiation of “national dialogue” sessions in September 2021 and the culmination of an amnesty project in January 2023.

By issuing a decree, Emir Nawaf pardoned 34 individuals, whether imprisoned or residing abroad.

While leading, he worked to break down corruption and dealt with key figures accused of taking public money. He did so using Kuwait’s legal system and judiciary.

Emir Nawaf earned the title of “Prince of Amnesty” for his efforts in pardon ceremonies, which included numerous parliamentarians, activists, public figures, and politicians convicted in various cases.

Notably, these cases involved the storming of the National Assembly following opposition protests in Kuwait in 2011. Among those pardoned were deputies living abroad.

In October 2021, an Emiri pardon was issued, aiming to reconcile political differences with the opposition, including activists and former MPs.

Sources indicate that Emir Nawaf called for an expansion in the number of individuals covered by this amnesty.

In November 2021, the late ruler issued two decrees for amnesty, pardoning and reducing sentences imposed on 35 people.

Amnesty granted by Emir Nawaf had a political easing effect following a period of tension due to disagreements between the government and members of the National Assembly.

Days before the passing of Emir Nawaf, the Kuwaiti judiciary concluded one of the most significant corruption cases in the country.

On November 26, 2023, Kuwait’s highest court issued its final verdict in the well-known “Army Fund” case.

It sentenced former defense and interior minister Sheikh Khalid al-Jarrah al-Sabah to seven years in prison for mishandling military funds.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Sabah, who faced similar charges, was ordered by the court to return the funds he mismanaged.

The Court of Cassation, presided over by Judge Sultan Bouresli, acquitted Adel Al-Enezi and fined the defendants in the case a total of 105 million Kuwaiti dinars ($340.50 million) and compelled them to repay double the amount ($681 million) misappropriated.

Most Viewed

 
Gulf

Gulf Remembers Pope as a Symbol of Tolerance, Dialogue

The grand mass led by Pope Francis at the Bahrain National Stadium was attended by 28,000 people from 111 nationalities (BNA)
The grand mass led by Pope Francis at the Bahrain National Stadium was attended by 28,000 people from 111 nationalities (BNA)
TT
20
TT

Gulf Remembers Pope as a Symbol of Tolerance, Dialogue

The grand mass led by Pope Francis at the Bahrain National Stadium was attended by 28,000 people from 111 nationalities (BNA)
The grand mass led by Pope Francis at the Bahrain National Stadium was attended by 28,000 people from 111 nationalities (BNA)

Gulf nations remember Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, who passed away at the age of 88, as a global symbol of tolerance and dialogue between civilizations.

Due to his spiritual stature and worldwide influence, Dr. Mohammad Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars, met with Pope Francis twice.

Their first meeting took place on May 28, 2023, at the pope's residence in Santa Marta, in a landmark encounter reflecting the Muslim World League's role in promoting effective dialogue, transparent understanding, and positive cooperation among followers of different religions and cultures.

The meeting included discussions on shared values and building bridges between civilizations, as well as addressing the challenges of religious and ideological extremism in all its forms, including hate, racism, marginalization, and exclusion.

The second meeting between Al-Issa and the Pope took place on December 23, 2024, with the same objective in mind.

The most significant event in the Gulf's relationship with the late Pope Francis was his historic visit to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

On February 3, 2019, Pope Francis became the first pontiff to visit the Arabian Peninsula, following an invitation from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to participate in an interfaith dialogue conference.

During his visit to the UAE, the Pope led a mass at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi on February 5, attended by approximately 120,000 people.

For the UAE, which is home to more than one million Christians, the majority of whom are Catholics, the visit underscored the nation's commitment to tolerance and cultural diversity. Christians in the UAE make up about one-ninth of the population, and they enjoy a life of dignity, respect, and equality in a country that has become a model of inclusivity.

Abu Dhabi saw the establishment of the first church in the UAE in 1965, a Catholic church named “St. Joseph's.” The first mass in Abu Dhabi was held in 1958 at the Al Hosn Palace. In the neighboring Emirate of Dubai, the first church, “St. Mary’s,” was built in 1967.

Today, the UAE is home to 45 churches.

Pope's Visit to Bahrain

From November 3 to 6, 2022, the late Pope Francis visited Bahrain, where he met with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and senior officials.

The Pope’s visit was part of his ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with the Islamic world, following his historic trip to the UAE in 2019.

During his time in Bahrain, Pope Francis addressed a dialogue forum on coexistence, organized by the Muslim Council of Elders, based in the UAE.

He also met with Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb of Al-Azhar, with whom he had signed a joint document on interfaith coexistence during his visit to the UAE.

The Pope led a grand mass at the Bahrain National Stadium, attended by Christian church leaders from Bahrain and the region, as well as more than 28,000 people representing 111 nationalities.

In his address, the Pope emphasized the principles of peace and love for all.

Bahrain is home to 18 churches representing various Christian denominations.

The country witnessed the construction of its first Christian church in 1906, the National Evangelical Church, which is the oldest church in Bahrain and the Gulf. In 1939, the first Catholic church in Bahrain and the Gulf was built, the Sacred Heart Church.

In 2021, the largest Catholic church in the region, Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral, was inaugurated. Located in Al A'ali, the cathedral covers 9,000 square meters and can accommodate more than 2,300 people, with its outdoor plaza holding over 6,000 visitors and worshippers.

The final stop of the Pope’s four-day visit to Bahrain was at the Sacred Heart Church, built in 1939 on land donated by the ruler at the time.

Christians in Kuwait

Kuwait is the second Gulf state, after Bahrain, with a Christian community comprising 262 individuals. The majority of Christians in both Kuwait and Bahrain trace their origins to southeastern Türkiye, Iraq, and Palestine.

On January 8, 1999, Emmanuel Gharib was ordained as a priest and pastor of the National Evangelical Church, making him the first Gulf national to attain this position.

Pastor Emmanuel founded the “National Evangelical Church” diwaniya in Kuwait, a space for discussions on the latest social, political, and economic developments. The church was built on land purchased by the US mission in 1914 to construct a men’s hospital.

According to a 2014 US State Department report on religious freedoms, there are over 200 Kuwaiti Christians spread across eight families, in addition to around 450,000 expatriate Christians residing in the country.