'Munaakh 82' in English... A Window into the Crisis That Left Its Mark on Kuwait

The book “Manakh 82... A Castle of Imagination That Fell,” by writer Nadia Al-Sharrah, was published in English by the Center for Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies at Kuwait University, following efforts that spanned more than three years after the release of its third Arabic edition. This step enables English-speaking researchers, students, and readers to access a documentation of a financial crisis that left profound economic and social repercussions in Kuwait.

The edition, published under the title “Manakh of 1982,” is the first in the Center’s series of translated books. Al-Sharrah donated copies to several British academic and cultural institutions, aiming to broaden the reach and utility of its content.

Al-Sharrah stated, “The English version of the book was released after more than three years of effort following the publication of the third Arabic edition, with the goal of making this documentary work accessible to researchers and students studying in English, and enabling them to examine a crisis that swept through Kuwait and left deep financial and social impacts.”

She added, “The translation journey began in collaboration with The Language Clinic, which assigned translators Dana Faraj and Duaa Abdulaziz to the task. This phase took one year and three months, after which the book went through successive stages of review, editing, and proofreading.”

She explained that she consulted Dr. Abdullah Bazee, a professor of English at Kuwait University, who oversaw the review of the translation and initial editing. Subsequently, Jasem Mohammed Abdulrahman and Daniel Sheridan were tasked with reading the book, reviewing the text, proofreading, and performing the final editing.

Al-Sharrah expressed her appreciation to the Center for Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies for undertaking the publication of the book, saying, “I am proud that the English version was published by the Center and that it holds the first position in its series of translated books. I hope it will contribute to expanding the scientific benefit derived from documenting this experience.”

Regarding efforts to disseminate the book to research circles, Al-Sharrah said, “I personally ensured the donation of copies to the British National Archives in Kew, the British Library in London, as well as Oxford University, Cambridge University, SOAS University of London, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and the London Business School.”

For his part, Dr. Yaqoob Al-Kandari, Acting Director of the Center for Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies at Kuwait University, emphasized that the book’s importance stems from its coverage of a major economic crisis that Kuwait experienced, which had political and economic repercussions and constituted an influential historical stage in the life of Kuwaiti society.

He clarified that publishing the book aligns with the Center’s interest in publications related to Kuwait and the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula region. He noted that Al-Sharrah submitted a request to publish the English version, and that the book underwent the Center’s standard approval procedures for publication, reflecting Kuwait University and its scientific institutions’ commitment to the scholarly nature of their publications.

Al-Kandari praised Al-Sharrah’s efforts in engaging with British universities and institutions and donating copies of the book, noting that the book is available for purchase from the Center at Kuwait University and is scheduled to be displayed at the upcoming book fair in November, within the space allocated to the Center in collaboration with the Scientific Publishing Council.