Over 4,300 books have been banned so far in Kuwait since 2014 with 700 of them being banned just this year alone. Random books like the Little Mermaid were banned as well as books written by local authors. The book bans were so absurd that New York Times last month published an article about it which you can read [Here]
Over the weekend, local designer Mohammad Sharaf installed a book graveyard next to Kuwait’s Annual Book Fair to protest the banning of the books. The book graveyard got removed by the authorities quickly but the pictures went viral sparking a conversation on the subject again.
Now Alqabas newspaper is reporting that the appeals court have overturned the Ministry of Information’s book ban stating we live in a different time where the world is a much more open place. This is obviously great news so I really hope its true. I’m hoping this ruling could possibly encourage someone to open up a large bookstore in Kuwait. The book fair was incredibly packed when I visited it with people buying books so there definitely is a market.
22 replies on “Kuwait Books Ban Overturned”
Finally, some progress. Also, that Book Graveyard was really powerful.
Very true!
Kinokuniya are you listensing?
Two steps back one step forward is not progress.
I agree this is good news, but it’s a real shame that the only way Kuwait sees progress is when we are humiliated in a very public way in the international arena. Now if only the NYT would write about our roads…
At least we have a voice, a liberty many are denied.
The biggest problem is not with the government, its the fact we cant collectively agree on something.
I agree with you 100%. The biggest problem is definitely not our government. They have given us everything, or at least created a system whereby all services are guaranteed. The quality of those services are degraded not by the government – but by us, the people. We’re good at talking, but when it comes down to actually doing the work on the ground, our voices disappear. Funny how that works, eh? I’ll be the first to say it: If Kuwaitis want to really understand what’s wrong in Kuwait, we need to look in the mirror. It starts with us. We need to start doing our part – really doing our part, not just talking about it or giving out contracts to people who have no stake in this country’s future. The following quote is overused and clichéd, but it fits perfectly: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
Is it a shame? Kuwait is an extremely superficial place. You get little kids in primary school talking about their designer watches and trying to out-do each other. Even the people that move here start name-dropping (I know this member of the royal family and that member of whatever and whatever) and won’t stop talking about brand-name this or that, shortly after moving to Kuwait.
Following that logic, the only way to get anything done in this extremely pretentious place (where appearances are everything) is to shed light on all the ugliness. In their rush to avoid humiliation, the people in power will make the “unpleasantness” disappear. It’s not a sure-fire way, but unfortunately, it seems to be one of the more effective way to get shit done (faster).
One for the people, zero for the man.
Also ebooks and kindle. You can read anything.
Don’t celebrate too much. The MOI has already appealed and the case is going to the Kuwaiti equivalent of the Supreme Court. The government will not lose in there.
Kuwait’s love affair with that book fair is odd to say the least! What an odd exhibition.
Not to take away anything from the haunting book graveyard which was well executed but…
Kindle.
Not everyone has a US or UK credit card or are able to get a Kindle Giftcard.
All that losers buying games and diamonds and gold chests on game apps using magic money on google play or apple store, suddenly when it comes to books, oh now we dont have the ability to spend money in the play store……
You don’t need a US/UK credit card.
You just need a credit card (Visa or MasterCard).
You are asuming that somone who made such a dumb statement would spend time reading?
I’m assuming you didn’t have that chocolate yet.
Maybe he’s more familiar with a debit card (for example K-net) and hasn’t had much experience ordering online OR more likely, he hasn’t had any experiences using either a credit card or debit card, because he’s young (15,16,17,max.)
Either way, he brings up a valid point (except phrased it incorrectly). Not everyone in Kuwait has access to a credit card. For some, it’s more feasible to go down to the bookstore to pick up a physical copy (despite the hefty price tag).
Again, not to take away anything from this post (we can all agree that books are wonderful), but even as a self-certified bibliophile (love the way they feel, smell, errythang), I’m telling you guys, a Kindle is just… life-changing! I got mine as a gift a few years ago and I’ve been in love with it ever since.
That said, I’m being cautiously optimistic about the book ban being lifted. It would be awesome if they follow through with it though! One more step towards a more civilized Kuwait!
I read on phone (in Kuwait there’s really no other way to get to some stuff), but there’s nothing like having a book. Also, when it comes to art books and alike, I prefer having it in paper, so I can easily return to it, have it alongside the PC or a sketchbook, with no hassle.
There’s just something about printed books.
Thanks Mohammad Sharaf. From this one act alone you will have set the pace to free up all those shackled books. I hope something good comes out of all this struggle.
Looking forward to the day when people can read any books of choice and bookstores don’t have to sell books with blacked out images / text, or even worse, torn out pages!
It’s sad that people aren’t giving credit to the many who went out and did multiple protests and raised awareness about the issue throughout the past year. The grave yard exhibition was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
In this age of Kindle and sundry….this is such an absurdity
Do you know what is the lesson here?
* That Kuwait has functional institutions. We can get our rights if we ask for them the right way.
* There are plenty of “activists” who only care about themselves and their image. They don’t necessarily “lead” the crowd the right way… sometimes its more beneficial for them to prolong the problem in order to play the role of “champions”.