The Sun Never Sets
There is no doubt that Kuwait has produced men who remained true to their covenant with God; some of them have fulfilled their destiny, while others await their turn, and they have not altered their resolve in the slightest. Recently, while in beloved Lebanon, I decided to document the old Kuwaiti houses to reminisce about my youth in this remarkable town. I visited the Hamelin Hospital, located in the Shabaniya area amidst beautiful pine trees that nourish the surrounding environment with fresh, pure air. I then stopped by a cemetery containing the remains of Kuwaiti men and women who lost their lives at this hospital and were buried there. I stood before the grave of the late Sheikh Ali Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah, offered prayers for him, and recalled his distinguished history of service to Kuwait, which is the focus of my discussion today. What I say about him is but a small effort, as the poet aptly said:
My chastity forbade me, and my honor forbade me,
To accept praise for a mercenary gain.
To cast myself into the undesirable,
And to strike the head of the cowardly hero.
Say whenever you are weary and restless,
Your place is either in praise or in rest.
He is the grandson of Kuwait’s fifth ruler, Sheikh Abdullah II Al-Sabah. Sheikh Ali bin Khalifa bin Abdullah II Al-Sabah bin Jabir bin Abdullah Al-Sabah Al-Awwal, may God have mercy on him. His mother was the daughter of Sheikh Duaij bin Jabir Al-Aish, a hero of Kuwait and a courageous, unmatched knight. His father was martyred in the Battle of As-Surair. As for him, there is no harm in recounting his story. He participated in many Kuwaiti battles, including the Battle of Jahra in 1920, where he displayed a heroic stance recorded in historical texts. He was also one of the commanders of the Battle of Al-Raqai in 1928, where he performed excellently and was wounded in the leg. He headed the Security Department during the reign of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God have mercy on him, from 1938 until his death in Lebanon in 1942.
His role in the Battle of Jahra is documented in Kuwaiti history. When the Ikhwan, who feared God, besieged the Red Palace from all sides, holding men, women, and children within, many fighters scaled the palace walls using ropes after engaging in fierce combat. However, ammunition ran out. He was advised to scale the wall using ropes, but he firmly refused, insisting on entering the palace through the main gate. He and his companions fought fiercely, and he stormed the palace gate with unparalleled bravery, entering the compound. He set the finest examples of courage, steadfastness, and boldness. May God have mercy on Abu Khalifa. Stay safe.
