Help Solo Pizza Napulitana Support Bayt Abdullah's Children's Hospice in Kuwait

مبارك عليكم الشهر

Ramadan Kareem

Join Solo Pizza Napulitana to support a good cause in the Holy Month of Ramadan!

As part of their corporate social responsibility and in a means to give back to the community and support a good cause, the management and staff at Solo Pizza Napulitana will support Bayt Abdullah’s Children's’ Hospice in the holy month of Ramadan … Join them and help support this great cause!

For every Pizza item and Nutella Dario Sweet that you’ll enjoy with Solo Pizza Napulitana, half a Kuwaiti Dinar will be donated towards the cause.

The Health Minister and KACCH President, Dr. Hilal AlSayer, His Wife, Mrs. Margert AlSayer, and their family with the SoloPN Staff by the Forno inaugurating the campaign.

Chef Amr AlRefai explaining to the Health Minister and KACCH President, Dr. Hilal AlSayer, and His Wife, Mrs. Margert AlSayer about the SoloPN concept and journey

They will be opening in the holy month of Ramadan Saturday - Thursday 10 pm - 1 am (Closed on Fridays).

Kindly note that they will close for the first day of the holy month of Ramadan (1st of August 2011) and resume on the second day until the 19th of August 2011.

Join them for a trip to Napoli and supporting a good cause!

Solo Pizza Website

 

An American Woman in Kuwait Kicks Attacker in His Testacola's

Take that!

Arab Times, Kuwait City, August 2, 2011: Kuwaiti Police have arrested an Arab man for molesting a 33-year-old American woman, reports Al-Anba daily. The suspect allegedly works for a home delivery restaurant in Fintas. The incident happened when he was delivering food to an unidentified customer in the same building where the incident took place. The man reportedly molested the woman inside the elevator.

When he molested her she allegedly kicked him between the legs and screamed for help. The man took to his heels but the woman chased him and noted down his car plate number and informed the cops. In an attempt to escape the man also reportedly crashed into a lamppost and ended up in the Adan Hospital.

Article Link

This is Ramadan! What the heck is going on?

I Love this Ramadan Ad from Zain.

Happy Ramadan from Zain.

Ramadan Greetings From Zain

Yesterday when I arrived home from work I was very upset about what I had just witnessed on highway 30.  I cried the entire way home and entered my building feeling very sad. 

All of a sudden my Haras popped out of his room with this lovely Ramadan gift from Zain.

Thank you Zain :*

Happy Ramadan Kuwait!

Luna's Ramadan Menu at Hotel Missoni Kuwait

Photo credit: The Independent

Situated on the 18th floor of the hotel is Luna. The latest addition to the hotel the restaurant/lounge comes complete with sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf and the Kuwait City skyline. True to its name - the venue comes alive at night, the place to meet, see and be seen.

The restaurant’s menu takes it inspiration from light Mediterranean dishes fused with traditional Arabic cuisine. With its distinctive flavours, comfortable seating and the striking effects of light and dark, Luna is the perfect place to get together for an evening with friends.

Each of the food and beverage outlets feature the signature Missoni bursts of colour and striking patterns, each expertly thought out to create individual atmospheres and effects.

Albawaba.com's review (above) on Hotel Missoni Kuwait

This is a small selection of what will be available in Luna during Ramadan @ 15 KD per person: 

COLD MEZZAH

Hummus, moutabel, Taboulah

Fatush, babaganus, Cucumber yougurt,

Labneh with garlic, Green lentil with rice, Eggplant and chickpeas salad

Green bean and tomato, Arabic potato salad, garger salad

SALADS

“Tomate aliniado” marinated tomato

Chickpeas salad

Roasted vegetables “escalivada”

“Xato” anchovies, tuna salad

Gulf Prawns with cocktail sauce

Cold meats selection and imported cheese

Smoked seafood platter with classic garnish

Selection of lettuce and crudités with dressings

Sushi station

Californian sushi, maki and nigiri with condiments

Selection of arabic breads

MAIN COURSES

Samack kufta

Lamb tagine

Chicken pastilla

Grilled salmon mechui juice

Prawns kebab

Jeresh nad Garesh

Oriental rice

Potatoes “caliu” all i oli gratin

Vegetables saloona

Shawarma station

Hot mezza station

Falfel with tahinaMix kibeh

Ouzi trolley with

couscous

Dakush sauce

DESSERTS

Mini Muhalabiya

Mini Kunafa

Mini Umali

Selection of Baklava

Selection of Mamoul

Asa firi

Dates cake

Warbat

Saffron panacota

Kataif station

Mini fruit tart

Tazulella di cafe

Chocolate dome mini

Vanilla cream caramel

Chocolate fountain with fruit skewers,

sponge, banana bread and English cake

 

 

We missed their soft opening invitation but look forward to trying out their Ramadan menu this August. 

 

Contact Information:

Hotel Missoni Kuwait

Symphony building,

Arabian Gulf street,

P.O. Box 1113

Salmiya

Kuwait

Hotel Missoni Website

 

My All About Ramadan for Expats in Kuwait Post

Paris in Jail

Arab Times, Kuwait City, July 27, 2011: People caught eating, drinking, chewing gum or smoking in public during fasting hours in the holy month of Ramadan will be fined KD 100, imprisoned for one month or both, says acting Director of Public Relations and Moral Guidance Department at the Ministry of Interior Brigadier Ahmad Bader Al-Mulla. In a press statement Wednesday, Al-Mulla advised the public to fully abide by Law Number 44/1968, which prohibits eating and drinking in public during Ramadan fasting hours. He explained the above mentioned penalties are also applicable to those who provoke others to violate the law and the owners or managers of restaurants or food shops that operate during the fasting hours.

He added these establishments will be shutdown for maximum of two months, as stipulated in Article Two which gives the ministry power to close any restaurant or food shop proven to have violated the law. Al-Mulla pointed out the ministry is keen on strictly implementing the law in respect of the feelings of Muslims who fast during Ramadan. He called on the citizens and residents to comply with the law to avoid legal problems.

Arab Times Article Link

My Ramadan Posts from Last Year:

Ramadan Kareem ~ Link

Hey Expats, Don't Spend Ramadan in Jail ~ Link

My Ramadan Patrol ~ Link

Bad Behavior ~ Link

Two Violators Arrested in Kuwait ~ Link

I would like to wish all of my Muslim friends and readers a very happy Ramadan.

xoxo E&TC

* Ramadan is expected to start on August 1st but it all depends on the moon.

Islamophobia ~ From 'Loner' ~ 2

For the Brave One

Courage ~ the ability to confront fear, pain, risk/danger, uncertainty or intimidation.

Arab Times, Kuwait City, Oct 7, 2010: In what is believed to be unprecedented in Kuwait’s history, a 27-year-old Kuwaiti Muslim man, identified only as _____ has taken to court the undersecretaries of the Ministry of Interior, Health and Justice and the director of the Public Authority for Civil Information in his quest to change his religion to Christianity in all his personal documents, reports Al-Jaridah daily.

In a copy of the legal document obtained by the daily, the man’s religion is mentioned as Muslim and he was born in 1983.  He lives in the Governorate of Ahmadi and works for the Ministry of Interior.

He has been quoted as saying from the time he reached legal age he has been practicing Christianity and now wants his religion to be changed in all official documents.

http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/160453/reftab/73/t/Muslim-man-sues-to-change-religion/Default.aspx
   
Edna St. Vincent Millay's Quotes

"Let us forget such words, and all they mean, as Hatred, Bitterness and Rancor, Greed, Intolerance, Bigotry. Let us renew our faith and pledge to Man, his right to be Himself, and free."

James Madison's Quotes

"We hold it for a fundamental and undeniable truth, that religion, or the duty we owe our Creator and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence. The religion then of every man must be left to the conviction and conscience of every man; and it is the right of every man to exercise it as these may dictate. This right is in its nature an unalienable right."

My Ramadan Patrol

What NOT to wear ;P

Last night I went out to do some quick shopping and while walking around I received a hug from behind. It scared me to death and I jumped about 3 feet before turning around to see my tiny, little maid from Sir Lanka. She is around twenty years old, very sweet and cute. I couldn't believe she was walking around at night wearing almost nothing. I was shocked because her top was a tight, tiny, tank top that had spaghetti straps and then she had on a short skirt. I'm never one to keep my mouth shut so I asked her why she would wear that during Ramadan, especially out at night alone. She said she knew she wasn't supposed to and just felt hot. I went into my "danger" lecture on how she could get arrested or even kidnapped and taken to the desert. Then I told her to get her stupid ass home and I flagged down an official cab and paid him to take her back to her house. I told her to text me when she got home safely and she did with a thank you and how she was sorry for what she did.

I know, I shouldn't act like 'Ramadan Cop' but I just care about her and wouldn't want anything bad to happen to her. My friends are always teasing me lately because I fuss at them too for dressing inappropriate during this Holy month. I'm far from perfect but I save my hot and sexy clothes for my trips outside of Kuwait. I think that everyone should dress conservative during Ramadan to show respect for the fasting, Muslim people of Kuwait.

Bad Behavior

Last night at approximately 8 PM I was driving on 30 to meet the girls for dinner while talking on the telephone with TB. I was concentrating on driving and talking to my friend when I noticed the car huggers on both sides from the corner of my eyes.

Car Huggers: Desperate local men trying to get a girls attention by driving their car as close to yours as possible. Sometimes almost hitting your car.

Okay, this is normal behavior here, especially when a girl drives alone at night but my question is.... Isn't this the Holy Month of Ramadan? Shouldn't you show some respect during this month? After all, I am following your rules by not drinking water, chewing gum or eating in public from sunrise to sunset. I am dressing extra conservative and I didn't even have a stitch of makeup on except for transparent lip gloss. What happened next just ticked me off.

When I took my exit off 30 I noticed only one car was still following me and flashing his lights. I had to stop at the store but I didn't get out of my car, I just beeped and waited with my windows up. He pulls over and gets out of his SUV. Then the usual happened: blah blah blah. I just ignored until the man came to take my order and I cracked my window. Then I just lost it and told him off! (No cursing but strong words.) How could he be so disrespectful during Ramadan? He looked older, about 30 plus so I am sure he was married with children. Well I basically told him Ramadan Kareem and shame on you...it worked and he drove off.

Not less than five minutes later I pull off to continue my way to the restaurant when another car hugger is on my tail. This AH follows me all the way to the restaurant parking and approaches me when I am walking to the front door. Well, I said Ramadan Kareem again and told him off in a ladylike way (no curse words). His English wasn't as good as the other guys but the look on his face let me know he understood I was really ticked off. He ran off back to his car with his tail between his legs.

The point of my post is that if we as Expats are obligated to respect the laws of the Holy month of Ramadan then shouldn't the car huggers give us a month off from harassment? I'm just sayin' ;P

Two Violators Arrested in Kuwait on the First Day of Ramadan

Arab Times Kuwait, 11 August 2010

‘Fast’ violators held: On the first day of Ramadan police have arrested two men for eating in public, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily.  One of those arrested is an Egyptian. He was caught drinking water from a water cooler in front of a wedding hall in Hassawi.  His case has been registered at the Faiha Police Station.

The second man to be arrested is an Asian. He was caught by the Farwaniya police while eating a banana.

Arab Times Article Link

Yesterday, while driving home from work I almost forgot and drank a sip of water. It's extremely hot in Kuwait and I was really thirsty. Thank goodness I remembered because you are not allowed to drink except on a US military installation or the privacy of your own home. I could make it without food during the day but I can't imagine going without water in this heat or my morning coffee. I really admire the devout Muslims who work all day in this hot weather and adhere to the fast. They are very dedicated to their religion. 

Mubarak Alaykom Alshahar ~ Happy Ramadan Kuwait

Google Images ~ Kuwait & around the world

Hey Expats ~ Don't Spend Ramadan in Jail

100 KD Fine For Eating In Public During Ramadan and Up to One Month in Jail

Arab Times, Kuwait, August 7, 2010: The Interior Ministry Saturday warned citizens and expatriates against eating or drinking in public during the fasting month of Ramadan, due to commence in a few days, because "it will be illegal and contradict Islamic teachings."

Ministry spokesman Brigadier Mohammad Al-Sabr said any person seen eating or drinking publicly would be fined 100 KD ($347) and jailed for a maximum of one month or one of these penalties.  Al-Sabr also called on shops and restaurants to abide by the law or face closure. 

Arab Times Article Link

Woman nabbed for chewing gum on the first day of Ramadan

Arab Times, Kuwait : A woman was arrested on the first day of Ramadan 2009 for breaking her fast by chewing gum.

According to sources, security officers from the Hawalli governorate spotted the woman chewing gum at 5:30 am while they were on patrol duty. When they questioned her about the act, she said she had the personal freedom to do as she pleased.

She was referred to the authorities and a case was registered.

Arab Times Article Link

Ramadan 411

Ramadan, the Islamic Holy Month dedicated to fasting, meditation and spiritual purification through self-discipline, is expected to start 11 August and continue through 9 September.

Depending on the moon’s visibility, Ramadan can begin on a different date in different parts of the world. In Kuwait, the beginning and end of Ramadan is determined by a moon committee and will be announced in the newspaper and on TV and the radio.

Remember to be respectful of local customs during this Holy Month.

(If you break the law during Ramadan you could spend the entire month in jail.)

• Don’t eat, drink or smoke in public between sunrise and sunset. (While on US Military Installations, employees may eat, drink and smoke as usual while observing military regulations.) Public affection should be avoided and is never tolerated in Kuwait.

• Dress conservatively. Shorts, short skirts, sleeveless blouses and shirts are NEVER appropriate in Kuwait and are tolerated even less during Ramadan. Local Police have been known to arrest individuals dressed inappropriately in public. 

• It is not uncommon to see cars pulled over to the side of the road as drivers perform their prayers at designated times of the day. You may see more people praying in public spaces. Be courteous, avoid stepping on prayer mats and don’t stand directly in front of a person engaged in prayer.

• Many people will be hurrying toward the end of each day to join family members and friends for the breaking of the fast. Pull over to the slow lane and let them pass by. * Sunset is the best time to do your grocery shopping at the Sultan Center and Co-op.

Thanks for the info girls :*

Interfaith Marriages: Does Love Conquer All?

I'm researching the topic of interfaith marriage between Christian women and Muslim men. Most of what I've found on the Internet isn't helpful at all. In fact it's offensive. The two articles below are perfect examples of how frustrating my search has been. Certainly there has to be better information out there and I would appreciate it if anyone could help me. Comments about your own personal experiences are also welcome.

What if you are a strong Christian girl who falls in love with a Muslim man? He asks for your hand in marriage and his family approves. He does not expect you to convert but he insists that your children follow his religion. The issue of the children would be my main concern. I have nothing against Islam and I understand that the children must practice their Father's religion. What if you believe that your children should follow Christianity? Now we have a big problem.  Can love conquer all?

http://www.islamfortoday.com/interfaithmarriage.htm

http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/newsletters/standing-with-israel/25562-understanding-other-religions-when-christian-women-marry-muslim-men