KUWAIT, July 19 (KUNA) -- Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the 30th Pearl Diving Trip kicked off on Thursday with the traditional ceremony of 'Dasha', Arabic for start of journey and farewell to family.
At least 175 Kuwaiti youngsters, aged between 14 to 20, are taking part in the event, aboard 13 wooden ships, including four donated by His Highness the Amir and by the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
This annual tradition, organized by Kuwait Sea Sports Club, is considered as a milestone for reviving the Kuwaiti sea heritage and culture on the national, regional, and international arenas, and it had gained a wide popularity and interest on the public, official, and media levels, said State Minister for National Assembly Affairs Adel Al-Kharafi in a statement.
He said he was honored to represent His Highness the Amir in this ceremony which "reminds us of the heritage of our ancestors; a ceremony that was made possible 30 years ago by late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah." Al-Kharafi praised efforts of the club in making this journey a success.
The Kuwait Sea Sports Club had organized the first traditional pearl diving trip in 1986, starting with five vessels provided by the Ministry of Information.
In 1990, all of the Club’s sea activities, including the pearl diving trips, were halted due to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August, during which the Iraqi soldiers destroyed a number of wooden vessels.
In 1991, the Club resumed its activities after the liberation of the country and organized the fifth pearl diving trip on board of a ship donated by one of Kuwaitآ’s old prominent sailors, Captain Rajab Ali.(end).
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