3LOCAL ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2016

Amir exchanges Eid greetingswith Arab and Muslim leaders

‘Prosperity, security and stability’

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 11, (KUNA): His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Sunday exchanged cables of con-gratulations with Arab and Muslim leaders on the advent of Eid Al-Adha.

His Highness the Amir expressed sincere wishes of prosperity, secu-rity and stability for the Arab and Muslim nations.

Meanwhile, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Sunday sent a cable of greetings to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the advent of Eid Al-Adha, which starts Monday.

His Highness the Crown Prince wished His Highness the Amir good health, and success in achieving the expectations of the Kuwaiti people in security and prosperity.

His Highness the Crown Prince prayed for security, stability and welfare for the Arab and Muslim nations, and the entire world.

In response, His Highness the Crown Prince received a cable of thanks and congratulations from His Highness the Amir.

Also, His Highness the Crown Prince received greetings from National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim, on behalf of MPs.

His Highness Sheikh Nawaf sent a cable of thanks and congratulations to Al-Ghanim on the occasion.

Meanwhile, His Highness the Crown Prince sent cables of con-gratulations to the National Guard Chief His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah and Sheikh Mubarak Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on the Eid.

His Highness the Crown Prince received cables of thanks and con-gratulations from the National Guard Chief and Sheikh Mubarak Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

His Highness the Crown Prince received greetings on the occasion from Senior Sheikhs, Deputy Chief of the National Guard Sheikh Meshaal

Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on the occasion of the Eid.

His Highness Sheikh Nawaf received Eid greetings from minis-ters, governors, senior officials, dip-lomats and a large number of Kuwaiti citizens and residents.

In response, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf sent congratulatory cables to well-wishers thanking them for their warm sentiments.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Sunday received Eid Al-Adha greetings from His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim, National Guard Chief His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Deputy Chief of the National Guard Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His

Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

In the cables, the top leaders expressed their loyalty to the dear homeland and the people of Kuwait, wishing His Highness the Amir life-long good health, so Kuwait can achieve further progress and prosper-ity under his wise leadership.

His Highness the Amir recipro-cated, expressing identical senti-ments to the officials, and also good wishes to the Arab and Muslim nations.

His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Sunday received a tele-phone contact from Bahraini Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and the First Deputy Premier, Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, on the blessed Eid Al-Adha.

Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad expressed good wishes to Sheikh Nawaf and the State of Kuwait.

His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf voiced gratitude to his Bahraini counterpart and identical sentiments on the blessed occasion.

His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah congratulated by phone Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani on Eid Al-Adha.

His Highness the Crown Prince expressed good wishes to the Emir, the two countries and peoples, as well as for the Arab and Muslim nations.

For his part, Sheikh Tamim recip-rocated with identical sentiments on the blessed occasion.

His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah phoned his counterpart in the UAE, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, congratulating him on the blessed occasion of Eid Al-Adha.

His Highness the Crown Prince wished the UAE persistent prosperi-ty as Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed reciprocated the Eid greetings and well wishes.

KUNA photo — Yousef DashtiColorful fountains radiate in the evening at Al-Shaheed Park.

Public not satisfied: Al-Mayouf

Kuwait’s Ahmad Al-Mutairi wins gold in the men’s 100m wheelchair race at the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

No intention to ‘eliminate’ orreshuffle authority – sources

By Raid Yusuf and AbdulRahman Al-Shemmeri

Al-Seyassah Staff

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 11: Amid the congestion of thorny files which await the executive and legislative authorities in the next parliamentary term because of the repercussions of the fuel price increase and members of Parliament announcing their intention to grill some minis-ters, sources close to the Cabinet have affirmed that there is no intention to eliminate or reshuf-fle the authority — a move which is considered a way to pacify public anger over the fuel price hike.

Sources pointed out “the remaining elected ministers (MPs) in the ministerial formation will not be changed, given that their resignation from the government is based on their personal decision especially since the election is approaching such that those vying for parlia-mentary seats are supposed to resign from the government or any governmental position.”

Despite these affirmations, a different opin-ion came from MP Abdullah Al-Mayouf who sees the performance of the MPs in the Cabinet as below the desired level. He stressed, “The public is not satisfied with them, although their continuation in the Cabinet is in the hands of His Highness the head of the government.”

He asserted, “Minister of Justice, Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Yaqoub Al-Sanae is a model of bad performance for an elected minister. He utilized his position for personal gains. During the Hajj season, he transported his family on a private plane to perform Hajj and that is unac-ceptable.” He then unveiled his plan to grill the minister “to reveal more of the violations and transgressions that are known by the govern-ment.”

He added, “The elected ministers are sup-posed to have political prudence to avoid embarrassing the government. It is irrational and unfair if such people remain in their posi-tions in the government until the end of the Parliament’s tenure while they intend to vie for a parliamentary seat.”

He affirmed the remaining MPs in the gov-ernment “opened the interpellation doors and the government is not supposed to defend any

of its ministers whose grilling proved that they are negligent so no-confidence motions will be submitted against them.”

KUNA photosKuwaiti flag is shown at the Rio 2016 Paralympics. State minister for youth affairs con-gratulates HH the Amir with the winner Ahmad Al-Mutairi in the 100-meter Wheelchair

Race at the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

Madani calls for avoiding divisive discourse

OIC sec gen congratulates Muslims on Eid Al-AdhaJEDDAH, Sept 11: The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Iyad Ameen Madani, conveyed his greetings to Muslims the world over on the occasion of Eid Al Adha Al Mubarak.

Madani wished all those performing Hajj, a blissful Hajj; and expressed his hope that Hajj will inspire cohesion and common purpose across the Muslim World.

The great bonding experience Hajj embodies, Madani added, is an oppor-

tunity to reflect on the daunting chal-lenges facing the Muslim Umma exter-nally and from within; and on how to earnestly face up to them, seeking the teaching and the moral example of the Prophet of Islam (saaws).

Invoking the numerous resolutions made over the years by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) unanimously stating the appreciation and gratitude of all Member States of the OIC, with no exception, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the effi-

cient and effective manner it manages the Hajj and cater for Hajjis needs, the Secretary-General expressed indebted-ness to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, and the government and people of Saudi Arabia for the absolute priority they attach to the service and care for Hajjis and those performing Umra and visiting the Prophet’s mosque in Al- Madina Al-Munawwarah.

Madani added that using Hajj to impose a political discourse, that is

both erroneous and offensive, and to go back on the resolutions made by the OIC regarding Hajj, can only lead to more division, fitnah, and sedition within Islam and the Umma; and goes against the spirit of Hajj and decon-struct the bonding it represents.

The Secretary-General expressed his hope that in this year’s Hajj and in Eid Al Adha, we can find a new beginning, a renewed hope, a reinvigorated will to build a Muslim example of cohesion, tolerance, prosperity and peace.

Citizens held over visa problems

5 youths arrested in US return to KuwaitKUWAIT CITY, Sept 11: The five Kuwaiti youths, who were arrested in the USA, returned to the country after a series of official communications between Kuwait’s Ministry of Affairs and the US State Department, reports Al-Seyassah daily.

Earlier, it was reported that the US authorities arrested these five Kuwaitis on the US-Mexico border over visa problems. This happened although one of them claimed that his entry visa to the US was lost when his passport was stolen while they were in Mexico.

In a press statement during the reception for the five Kuwaitis who arrived Sunday night, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister for Consulate Affairs Sami Al-Hamad affirmed that First

Deputy Premier and Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah and Undersecretary Khaled Al-Jarallah have been working hard to secure the release of these citizens since they received information on the arrest. He said Kuwaiti Ambassador to Washington Sheikh Salem Al-Jaber and General Counsel in Los Angeles Abdullatif Al-Yahya have been closely following up the issue as well.

He also talked about his meeting with the charge d’affaires and the Consulate Section head in the US Embassy last week, during which they discussed measures taken to secure the release of the five Kuwaitis. He confirmed the consulate expressed willingness to coordinate with the

concerned authorities in Kuwait to release the citizens and this was made possible through continuous commu-nication with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He congratulated HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the government and people of Kuwait for the return of the five citizens.

Asked about the possibility of these citizens’ return to the US especially since some of them are studying there, Al-Hamad stressed they will not return because the US has laws and security measures related to the entry visas for students. He pointed out the US authorities have the right

to cancel the entry visa and repatriate the concerned students to their coun-try.

On the advisory for Kuwaitis to refrain from storing certain data in their mobile phones if they intend to travel to the US, Al-Hamad clarified there are no regulations or instruc-tions in this regard. He was quick to add though that the US immigration, customs and security officers have full authority to check all passengers; not just those coming from GCC countries.

He also thanked the State of Qatar for its cooperation in the return of the five Kuwaitis on board Qatar Airways through which they traveled from Los Angeles to Kuwait with Doha as tran-sit point.

Obama asks struck on Sept. 11. The president said 15 years may seem like a long time, but he imagined that for the families, it can seem like yesterday. He said he has been inspired by their efforts to start scholar-ship programs and undertake volunteer work in their communities.

“In your grief and grace, you have reminded us that, together, there’s noth-ing we Americans cannot overcome,” Obama said.

The United States marked the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on Sunday with solemn services to com-memorate the victims of the deadliest terror strikes on US soil, which changed the world forever.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed on Sept 11, 2001 when 19 Al-Qaeda sui-cide bombers hijacked four passenger jets, crashing them into the Twin Towers in New York, the Pentagon in Washington and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

It was the first foreign attack on the US mainland in almost two centuries and sparked US-led invasions of Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003, where war rages on more than a decade later.

Countries in the Middle East from

Libya to Syria are engulfed in war, pro-viding a fertile ground for Al-Qaeda affiliates to breed, and Europe has been tormented by attacks inspired by the Islamic State group.

Relatives began the solemn hours-long reading of the names of the dead were read out in a remembrance service at Ground Zero in New York on the site of the destroyed World Trade Center, where a memorial — and a rebuilt Freedom Tower — now stand.

The 15th anniversary comes with the United States in the midst of a divisive presidential campaign between Hillary Clinton, who was New York senator at the time of the attacks, and Manhattan tycoon Donald Trump.

Both candidates temporarily put aside their animosity to attend the New York ceremony at the Sept 11 memorial alongside city dignitaries, relatives of those who perished and police officers.

The service was to pause six times — to mark the moments when each of the two planes hit, when each tower fell, as well as the attack on the Pentagon and Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania.

During the first moment of silence at 8:46 am, the time when American

Airlines Flight 11 hit the north tower, houses of worship in New York tolled their bells. “In the face of terrorism, how we respond matters,” Obama said in his weekly address. “We cannot give in to those who would divide us. We cannot react in ways that erode the fabric of our society.”

George W. Bush, who was president at the time of the attacks, is not expected to attend either ceremony in New York or Washington.

Instead, his office said he will go to church in Dallas, Texas and then attend the Dallas Cowboys home opener against the New York Giants, where he will take part in the ceremonial coin toss with two New York police officers who were at Ground Zero on 9/11.

Sunday marks the start of the NFL season in the United States, and those attending the American football games and watching on television will watch video messages from both Obama and Bush. The attacks killed 2,753 people in New York, 184 at the Pentagon and 40 on Flight 93 — which was headed toward the US capital until passengers and crew staged a rebellion and the hijackers crashed it.

Continued from Page 1inside the White House to coincide with when the first plane hit the Twin Towers. Atop the White House, the American flag flew at half-staff. Obama invited governors, interested organiza-tions and individuals to follow suit.

Obama said he has been humbled by the people whose 9/11 stories he’s come to learn over the past eight years, from the firefighters who responded to the attacks, to family members of those who died, to the Navy Seals who made sure “justice was finally done” in the killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. He said the nation’s security has been strengthened since 9/11 and that other attacks have been prevented.

“We resolve to continue doing every-thing in our power to protect this coun-try that we love,” he said, facing the benches that are a hallmark of the Pentagon Memorial.

Behind the president, a US flag stretching some three stories tall hung on the section of the Pentagon that was

Patriarch of Egyptian Catholic Coptic Church in Kuwait Fr. Angelos Masoud sent a congratulatory message to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Kuwaitis and expatriates in the

country on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha.Fr Angelos described Kuwait as a model of peaceful cohabitation among people of diverse religions, nationalities and races. He stated the country possesses exem-plary wise leadership under the Amir who is ever committed to inculcate humanitari-an values, while spreading moderation. He stressed the region needs the aforemen-tioned values at this critical time due to prevalent extremist and terrorist ideologies. He reiterated extremist and terrorist ideolo-gies have destroyed the region and now knocking on doors in the Western world.