By Ghadeer Ghloum and Passant Hisham

KUWAIT: As the heartbreaking news of the passing of HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was announced, waves of sorrow washed over Kuwait. It was a singularly sorrowful moment for citizens and expats, who shared with Kuwait Times their deep emotions, reminiscing about the remarkable qualities that made the late Amir an unforgettable figure in their lives.

Bu Muhammad, a middle-aged Kuwaiti, expressed his deep sorrow for Kuwait’s loss. “Kuwait with its people, population, government, rulers and allies are all in deep pain and sorrow on the loss of this dear person,” he said, sharing his gratitude for Sheikh Nawaf’s remarkable humane actions that benefited Kuwaiti citizens and made their lives easier.

“Despite his short period of rule, Sheikh Nawaf’s efforts were not limited to making Kuwait and its people live in dignity during his rule, but even before that. He was like a wise and compassionate father to the Kuwaiti people. One of the most remarkable and humane things about him is that Sheikh Nawaf was well known for being keen on improving the living conditions of Kuwaiti citizens,” he said.

Ahmed, a young Palestinian residing in Kuwait, expressed utmost respect and gratitude for Sheikh Nawaf for the unwavering support he always declared for the Palestinian people and their rights, highlighting Kuwait as one of the top contributors for reconstructing Palestinian territories and sending humanitarian aid to its people during times of wars and suffering. “If this is how he treated Palestinians, imagine how he dealt with his own people,” he said, adding Sheikh Nawaf was a person who always spoke the truth and called for justice wholeheartedly, no matter how many people were against it.

On his part, Khaled, a young Kuwaiti, said: “My heart aches for the loss of the Amir, for he was not just a leader, but also a father figure to all of us. His kindness and compassion touched the hearts of every Kuwaiti citizen. Also, his presence in both the interior and defense ministries made him an integral part of Kuwait’s political landscape,” he said. Khaled’s father further elaborated on Sheikh Nawaf’s commitment to upholding the humanitarian values that Kuwait is known for. According to him, the Amir left a profound impact on the lives of Kuwaitis.

Abu Abdullah, an Indian expat, expressed his emotions on the passing of the Amir: “I am very saddened by the passing of our beloved Amir, as he did a lot for the country throughout his life in the various positions he held.” He highlighted his building of Belal bin Rabah Mosque, noting he didn’t attribute its name to himself, but attributed it to one of the companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which is a great reflection of how a modest ruler he was.

Speaking of Belal bin Rabah Mosque, Hesham, an Egyptian expat in his early 60s, spoke of his personal grief of losing the late Amir, as he shared a special memory with him. “I’ll never forget how he humbly prayed among us in his local mosque without his guards. I will always pray for his soul to rest in peace every time I visit it.” He added how Sheikh Nawaf fought against corruption, and how all residents of Kuwait, despite their differences, can agree that his rule was marked by grace and integrity.

Shaimaa, an middle-aged Egyptian resident, described how Sheikh Nawaf was one of his kind, as he never practiced racism or oppression against any nationality. Not once in her life did she hear someone speaking negatively about him, as everyone unconditionally praised his manners and his gentle personality. She explained he was a very eloquent person too, and even though his words were concise as he chose them very carefully, they never failed to deeply reach everyone nevertheless.