By Mohammad Shamseddin
KUWAIT, July 13 (KUNA) -- Kuwait witnessed important political, economic and social events in the holy month of Ramadhan throughout the years.
On Ramadhan 12, 1307 (Hijri Islamic lunar calendar) or May 1, 1890, a swarm of locusts jostled through the country, inflicting heavy damage on citizens particularly the famers. This natural disaster reached its peak in the second week of the month and the Kuwaitis used to refer to that year later on as the year of 'daba' (locusts).
On Ramadhan 10, 1316 H, or January 23, 1899, the seventh ruler of Kuwait Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah signed a protectorate agreement with Britain under which Britain pledged to protect Kuwait from foreign interventions. On June 19, 1961, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, the 11th ruler of Kuwait "or the father of independence," signed the independence treaty with Sir George Middleton, the British commissioner for the Arabian Gulf, on behalf of his government.
In late Ramadhan, 1338 H, June 14, 1920, the ninth ruler Sheikh Salem Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah decided to build a defensive wall along the seashore of Kuwait in the wake of Hemdh battle. The fence, the longest in Kuwait, took 60 days to complete; it is five mile long and 20-feet high with five towers and five gates.
In early Ramadhan, 1346 H, March, 1928, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Rushaid published Kuwait Magazine, the first magazine in the country, from Cairo.
On Ramadhan 24, 1342 H, late April, 1924, the Literary Club was inaugurated in the presence of a constellation of Kuwait intelligentsia. Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jaber was elected president of the 45-member club.
On Ramadhan 1, 1353 H, December, 1934, Kuwait was hit by torrential rains which destroyed up to 500 houses. Kuwait municipality offered relief effort for more than 18,000 people affected by the three-day incessant rains.
On Ramadhan 16, 1353 H, December 23, 1934, the tenth ruler Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah signed an agreement with Kuwait Oil Co. Ltd., to award the company a concession for oil exploration and production. The company discovered, under franchises from the British D'Arcy Concession and the US Gulf Oil, the country's first oilfield in Burgan area in 1938.
On Ramadhan 22, 1379 H, March 19, 1960, the late Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah adopted the Amiri Decree No. 5/1960 to endorse Act No. 15/1959 on the verification of the Kuwait citizenship.
On Ramadhan 8, 1381 H, February 12, 1962, the late Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah adopted the Amiri Decree No. 6/1962 approving the administrative division of Kuwait into three governorates - the capital city, Hawally and Al-Ahmadi.
On Ramadhan 3, 1382 H, January 28, 1963, the country's second cabinet was formed under prime minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.
On Ramadhan 1, 1384 H, January 3, 1965, the fourth cabinet was formed.
On Ramadhan 12, 1396 H, September 6, 1976, the ninth cabinet was formed under prime minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
On Ramadhan 4, 1383 H, January 29, 1963, the National Assembly opened its first legislative term with the late Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah taking the oath of office.
On Ramadhan 4, 1396 H, August 29, 1976, the National Assembly was dissolved for the first time in its history by a decree from late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.
On Ramadhan 1, 1398 H, August 5, 1978, the Holy Quran Radio, one of Kuwait's most popular stations, started transmission. It transmits various religious programs around the clock now.
On Ramadhan 22, 1401 H, July 23, 1981, late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah set the tradition of delivering an Amiri speech to the nation in late Ramadhan annually.
On Ramadhan 6, 1405 H, May 25, 1985, the convoy of the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah came under gunfire. The late Amir survived the criminal attack which left three martyrs. He resumed his duties one week later on and affirmed resolve to continue the policy of Kuwait seeking good for all.
In late Ramadhan, 1406 H, June 8, 1986, the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah opened the Grand Mosque, one of Kuwait City's Islamic landmarks, over an area of 45,000 sq m. It cost up to KD 14 million and provides room for 60,000 worshippers.
The State of Kuwait enjoys democratic atmospheres in the current month of Ramadan in the run-up to parliamentary elections slated for July 27. (end) msd.abd.gb