August 2: A Painful Anniversary
Thirty-six years have passed, yet the pain has not been forgotten, and the wound inflicted upon all nations remains unhealed. How could we forget, when the treacherous invasion shattered noble values, human bonds and relationships, religious commandments, and scientific theories? It was a brother who tore the garment of brotherhood; it was a neighbor who wronged his neighbors; it was a person in need during his crisis, and we provided him with assistance and support, without reproach or envy. These are our traits, and these are our morals. Our constitution is the Quran, and our methodology is the Prophetic Sunnah. Therefore, God was with us, close to us. He inspired us with patience, instilled tranquility in our hearts, and granted our leadership wisdom.
Indeed, for seven months, our homeland was occupied. We tasted bitterness and learned to distinguish friend from foe. From that time until today, we have learned and discovered many things, as God Almighty said: “Perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you.” The catastrophe of the Iraqi invasion was like a blackboard on which we learned and wrote with white chalk the words of God Almighty: “Say, ‘Truth has come, and falsehood has departed. Indeed, falsehood is ever bound to depart.’” We also wrote that good overcomes evil, that acts of kindness protect against dire consequences, and that whoever sows good deeds today will reap them tomorrow. We believed that obedience to the ruler and leadership is a divine command, as God Almighty said: “O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.” The word of God the Almighty is true.
We will not forget the leadership’s directives to maintain our composure, hold fast to our land, and not confront a reckless enemy superior in numbers and equipment, in order to preserve our lives. Moreover, our leadership, even while abroad, ensured the distribution of money and food to those holding their ground in the homeland, as well as to those abroad. Although it was a tragedy, it served as a model lesson for all world leaders, from the idea of investing state funds to how they were utilized during crises, how they were reintroduced into the occupied homeland, and how they were distributed to citizen refugees around the world.
How hands were intertwined, leadership and people alike, and roles were distributed, creating a historical epic that serves as a benchmark. And above all, how God Almighty orchestrated the participation of world nations in liberating Kuwait. For the first time, contradictions converged, such as the alignment of the Warsaw Pact with NATO, and the United States with the Soviet Union. It is the will of God. Praise and thanks be to God for all His blessings. Truth returned to its rightful owners, and Kuwait returned to us more beautiful, more prosperous and developed, more secure and safe. Our leadership returned with heads held high and lofty aspirations. As for those who caused this tragedy, God is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs. It seems as though some have not grasped the lesson!
