This Day in Kuwait History

Kuwait City, July 16 (KUNA) -- July 16: 1973 - Establishment of the National Real Estate Company with a capital of five million Kuwaiti dinars. 1974 - Kuwait’s Deputy Amir, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, issued a law concerning the creation of the Great Mubarak Order and the Kuwait Medal. Its first article stipulated the establishment of an order named the “Great Mubarak Order,” to be worn by the Head of State, and the establishment of the “Kuwait Medal,” consisting of eight classes. Decorations are conferred by Amir’s decree. The Great Mubarak Order is awarded to kings and heads of state, while the Kuwait Medal is awarded to heirs apparent, prime ministers, ministers, ambassadors, and Kuwaiti and foreign nationals who render outstanding services to Kuwait or to humanity. 1974 - Kuwait’s Deputy Amir, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, issued a law approving the agreement to establish the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa and Kuwait’s contribution to the Arab Support Fund for African countries. 1982 - Death of the artist Mahmoud Al-Kuwaiti (Mahmoud Abdulrazzaq Al-Naqi) at the age of 72. He was one of the most prominent figures in singing Kuwaiti “Sout” music, as well as most genres of folk singing. 1984 - Kuwait’s Amir, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, issued a decree establishing the Kuwait Institute for Medical Specializations as the academic institution responsible for advancing the level of physicians after graduation, enhancing their competence, and professionally qualifying them across various specialties, while overseeing their training through professional and specialized training programs and continuing medical education. 2003 - Kuwait’s Amir, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, issued an Amir’s decree conferring the title of Prime Minister. Its first article stipulated that the Prime Minister be addressed as follows: “His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Prime Minister.” 2020 - The Ministry of Education announced the end of the 2019/2020 academic year due to the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic, deferring the remaining curriculum to the 2020/2021 academic year. Meanwhile, Grade 12 students will complete six weeks of classes from August 9 to September 17 through remote electronic education. 2023 - The Public Authority for Environment won the 2023 Excellence Award in Geographic Information Systems from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) in the United States for its Waste Management Information System (EMIS Waste). 2025 - The Ministry of Health announced the performance of a radical prostatectomy using the MEDBOT surgical robot with remote surgery technology, a step reflecting Kuwait’s progress in specialized surgical fields. (End) M.B.R. / N.S.N.