Islamists stop Christmas shopping

Islamic political group the Salafists have threatened many shop keepers from selling Christmas related items and gifts in the State of Kuwait. They have even objected to Christmas parties. Many major hotels have cancelled of Christmas parties in view of this threat.  

The group has also taken strong objection to schools celebrating New Year as this is against the Islamic code of conduct. In sharp contrast the hotels in Bahrain and Dubai are completely sold out. They are mostly occupied by the Arab community from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia who have taken to these places like a safe haven. The Bahrainis and Dubai nationals often complain of the reckless spending habits and behavior of the nationals of these countries. A visit to some of these five star hotels will show astonishing number of Saudi and Kuwait women in the most modern of clothing dancing to latest music trends almost completely drunk or high on drugs. 

The flow of drugs and alcohol is not in short supply in Kuwait or Saudi either. A rumour of an unofficial sanction by the ruling family also does the rounds. This is probably one of the ways they have found to stop the new generation taking to the rightist Islamist groups. It is now common to see Kuwaiti public taking of cans of non-alcoholic beers of the shelves in the supermarkets. Many varieties of non alcoholic wine has also become a fashion statement. 

Radical reforms have been brought about by the government to ensure that freedom and democratic values overtake the fundamentalist propaganda. Partly it also pleases the American influence in the region.

Responses