ShareKUWAIT: Kuwait on Wednesday laid to rest late former Kuwaiti information minister and renowned veteran political figure Mohammad Al-Sanousi. Earlier, HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable of condolences to the family of Sanousi. HH the Amir expressed deep and sincere condolences on the death of a faithful citizen, eulogizing Sanousi for manifesting a high sense of patriotism that had been manifested during his service in the positions he had held.
HH the Amir also recalled his prominent contributions in the media, thus earning him much admiration, praying that his soul be blessed with His Almighty’s mercy and that his family may grieve his loss patiently. HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah also sent cables of condolences to the family of Sanousi.
Sanousi died on Tuesday after battling with a disease at the age of 84. He was famous for producing ‘Al-Resala (The Message)’ and ‘Omar Al-Mukhtar’, two critically acclaimed films. His nephew, Bader Al-Sanousi, announced his death in a tweet: ‘My uncle, second father, teacher and the person who taught me how to love this earth has died, and will be buried tomorrow.”
Sanousi was born in the Salhiya neighborhood of Sharq in 1938. He graduated from the theatrical arts institute in Egypt and obtained his bachelor’s degree in communications and media from University of Southern California. The first ever broadcast of Kuwaiti Television was on Nov 15, 1961, with Sanousi being instrumental in its initiation. He worked there until his retirement in 1985, rising up the ranks.
Sanousi was famous for producing ‘The Message’ and ‘Omar Al-Mukhtar’ — the first was on the life of the Prophet (PBUH), while the other was about the Libyan resistance against Italian colonialization. After his retirement, he was appointed general manager of the government tourism projects institute, which was missioned with providing entertainment services and boosting the tourism sector in Kuwait between 1986 and 96. He then went on to join the business world, and entered the Cabinet as information minister in 2006.
Sanousi was also the head of the Arab International Film Production Company in Bahrain, Houston Texas Company in the US and Wafra Tourism Company in Egypt, as well as the head of the council of program production in the GCC. He also headed the Kuwait Cinema Club and was a member of the council of literary college, a member of the upper council of development and a consultant to an Egyptian channel, as well as a consultant for Orbit channel. He also headed the rating committees of art and culture and founded a folklore group for television teams. Sanousi published ‘Kuwait Television — history and narratives 1961-85’ in 2016 as well as ‘My experience in tourism projects and other stories’.
The information ministry praised Sanousi’s work. “Sanousi was one of the most important names that shone in Kuwaiti media skies, as he has held many positions including that of minister. He presented a great deal of work throughout his career, which put an imprint in Kuwait’s media history, of which he was one of the founders,” ministry spokesperson Anwar Murad said.
Among the programs that he was involved in was a program for the Holy Quran and science, understanding Islam in a foreign language, and science and faith programs. He also introduced the idea that the Holy Quran be recited after every adhan, along with a number of children’s program and family affairs programs, including on societal traditions and morals, as well as a number of programs that involved Arab identity, Islamic traditions and science.
