KUWAIT CITY // It was about the time summer temperatures started to soar that the startling video began circulating among Shiites in Kuwait.
The grainy YouTube clip showed a Sunni cleric addressing a rally at the Lebanese embassy in Kuwait.
At first the man angrily condemned the involvement of Hizbollah, the Shiite movement based in Lebanon, in Syria's civil war.
Such criticism is hardly uncommon in the predominantly Sunni countries of the Arabian Gulf these days.
But the Kuwaiti cleric went further, saying he welcomed the deaths of civilians and hoped commanders of the rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) would set aside 10 captured Hizbollah fighters for him so he could kill them personally.
What was more alarming - at least to many Kuwaiti Muslims - was the identity of the cleric, which became clear as the one-minute clip, repackaged with warnings about the threat posed by Shiites everywhere, made its way across the Kuwaiti capital.
The man quickly was recognised as Dr Shafi Al Ajmi, a professor of Sharia at Kuwait University. His ties to a state-run institution made it seem to many Kuwaitis that his views were at least tolerated, if not officially sanctioned.
Without mentioning the June 11 rally, the emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, warned a week later against "sick sectarian" signs surfacing in the country.
"We will not allow our country to be a place for sectarian conflicts and settlement of sick scores nor allow discord to poison our solid community," the emir said in a televised address.
Despite the emir's admonition, sectarian tensions aggravated by the Syrian civil war appear to be deepening in Kuwait and elsewhere in the region as the conflict passes the two-and-a-half year mark and the death toll exceeds 100,000 people.
The friction is a result, perhaps inevitably, of the passions and fears aroused by a war that has seen Hizbollah and Shiite-dominated Iran close ranks behind the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad against rebels with broad public support in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and the other predominantly Sunni nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
What started as peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations in the southern Syrian town of Deraa has evolved into a regional clash that extremists on both sides view as an existential struggle. The tensions in Kuwait mirror, in a diluted form, the full-blown sectarian struggle unfolding in Syria in yet another sign of how the war has spilled over into its neighbours.
Dr Al Ajmi has been tireless in his efforts on behalf of Syrian rebels.
In the months leading up to the rally, he raised money for the insurgents with the promise that it would go directly to the "mujahedeen". Drop-off locations for donations, the amount of money raised and contact numbers were all posted on social media.
The emir's speech has not deterred his fund-raising efforts. Since then, donations seem to have increased, Dr Al Ajmi's Twitter feed boasting of wealthy men who have sold their cars and women who have sold their jewellery to buy weapons for the insurgents.
Dr Al Ajmi, who did not reply to repeated requests for comment, is not alone. Dozens of the former MPs — parliament was dissolved by court order in June — from Islamist or tribal backgrounds have rallied in support of the Syrian opposition, with their images appearing on fund-raising pitches.
"The situation in Syria receives support from a very large faction of the people here in Kuwait," said former parliamentary speaker Ahmed Al Sadoun. "The more active are the former MPs … it has been triggered by Hizbollah taking part."
Abdul Hameed Dashti, a Shiite and former MP, was already alarmed by Dr Al Ajmi's fund-raising for the rebels. But he was taken aback by what he said were the cleric's efforts to demonise Shiites everywhere.
"Where can you come up with this mentality? We are unlucky to be in this part of the world, we have a killer as a professor," he said, adding that he wanted "immediate action" against Mr Al Ajmi from the government.
Mr Dashti, like many in Kuwait's Shiite community, which makes up about 30 per cent of the country's native population, remain steadfast in their support for the Syrian regime.
He has extensive business interests in Syria, where he employs more than 2,000 people. He has given several interviews to local news organisations proclaiming his "love" for Mr Assad, who he saw just months ago, during his most recent visit to Damascus.
The walls of his office in Kuwait City are lined with photos testifying to his family's long relationship with Bashar Al Assad and his father, Hafez.
These far-from-hidden divisions over Mr Al Assad and Syria have altered Kuwait's electoral landscape.
Many Sunni politicians boycotted last December's election to protest against new electoral rules that left them with no seats in the new parliament. Shiites, however, contested the elections and enjoyed their biggest electoral success ever. Against the background of events in Syria, that was a result that could not be tolerated, a Kuwaiti political analyst said.
"Shiites ended up with 17 [of 50] seats, and it was too much," said the analyst, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "The Kuwaiti political stomach couldn't accept this."
After the dissolution of parliament last month, the emir began courting Kuwait's tribes in an effort to coax them back into the electoral process and redress the perceived imbalance. Fresh elections, scheduled for tomorrow, are likely to redistribute seats back to Sunni MPs.
The Kuwaiti information minister, Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al Sabah, said the war in Syria has cast an ever-lengthening shadow across Kuwait and the rest of the region.
The conflict will reawaken "radicals all over the Middle East and the world—it will revive them", he predicted. "We had several years where we saw the declining of [the ideologies of Ayman Al] Zawahiri and Al Qaeda and sectarian groups. Now, [with the conflict] you are fuelling them."
Sheikh Salman expressed confidence, however, that the government has the tools to combat social divisions.
"It's [about] enforcing the law, nothing else," he said. "Kuwait will deal with anyone who would try to interrupt our peace."
But to some, there are obvious gaps. Kuwait has no terror financing law, for example, crippling its ability to crack down on private funders whose money goes to extremist groups.
"There are now people who have a new culture as killers … who are openly collecting money to support the FSA, Jabhut Al Nusra, and Al Qaeda, and the Kuwait government keeps silent," Mr Dashti said.
Among Kuwaitis from both sides of the divide, there is a feeling that matters could get worse before they improve, so long as the conflict in Syria churns.
The political crisis in Cairo has compounded the jitters. After President Mohammed Morsi was deposed by Egypt's military earlier this month, Mr Al Ajmi promised on Twitter to begin supporting the Egyptian mujahedeen.
edickinson@thenational.ae
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
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Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now
There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:
1. Rising US interest rates
The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.
Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”
At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.
2. Stronger dollar
High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.”
3. Global trade war
Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”
4. Eurozone uncertainty
Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”
The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
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SQUADS
Bangladesh (from): Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mahmudullah Riyad, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Taijul Islam, Mosaddek Hossain, Nayeem Hasan, Mehedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadat Hossain, Abu Jayed
Afghanistan (from): Rashid Khan (capt), Ihsanullah Janat, Javid Ahmadi, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Ikram Alikhil, Mohammad Nabi, Qais Ahmad, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Afsar Zazai, Shapoor Zadran
The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
Cry Macho
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam
Rating:**
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham v Ajax, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
Honeymoonish
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Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The biog
Favourite colour: Brown
Favourite Movie: Resident Evil
Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices
Favourite food: Pizza
Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
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