MASSES OF KUWAITI WOMEN MOURN THE AMIR WHO

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000146 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARPI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KWMN KU SUBJECT: MASSES OF KUWAITI WOMEN MOURN THE AMIR WHO CHAMPIONED THEIR RIGHTS ¶1. On January 16, a delegation of female EmbOffs and family members paid a visit to female members of the Al-Sabah ruling family at Dasman Palace, the late Amir's home, to express their condolences for the January 15 death of Amir Shaykh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The palace and surrounding streets were crowded with women coming to pay their respects. The approximate 1,000 "condolers" during the EmbOff visit included a wide cross-section of Kuwaiti society: young and old, conservative and liberal, all dressed in black abayas with their faces scrubbed free of the elaborate make up that is popular in Kuwait, and all united in their grief. Many had pictures of the deceased Amir pinned to their gowns and a few even wore hijabs embroidered with the Kuwaiti flag. Many prominent Kuwaiti women were in attendance, including civil society leaders, activists, and academics. ¶2. Emboffs entered a large hall in Dasman Palace where the Al-Sabah women were receiving mourners. Approximately 40 family members -- among them wives, daughters, cousins, and sisters of the Amir -- shook the hands of their guests while younger family members sat behind the older generation and looked on. Some of those receiving mourners included: Dr. Rasha Al-Sabah, Ministry of Higher Education Undersecretary; Dr. Suad Al-Sabah, activist and writer; Paula Al-Sabah, American-born daughter-in-law of the Amir; a devastated Amthal Al-Sabah, the Amir's sister who accompanied him on his frequent trips for medical treatment; Hussa Al-Sabah, Director of the House of Islamic Antiquities; as well as many others including the Amir's elderly first wife and the mother of his half-brother the Prime Minister. ¶3. Other female dignitaries were in attendance with their entourages as well, among them: Princess Johara Bint Al- Ibrahim, wife of Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdel Aziz; Shaykha Fatima bint Mubarak, wife of the late UAE President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nuhayyan; and Jordanian Queen Rania Al- Abdullah, who went to high school in Kuwait. ********************************************* Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ You can also access the site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website ********************************************* LEBARON