Latest news with #Al-Mutairi


Arab Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait prepares for national events with focus on visitor experience
KUWAIT CITY, July 21: Minister of Information, Culture, and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi chaired the sixth meeting of the Permanent Committee for Celebrating National Holidays and Occasions for 2025 on Sunday. The minister underscored the importance of adopting developmental ideas to enhance the experience of both visitors and citizens during the holiday season and national celebrations. Speaking at the meeting held at Seif Palace, Al-Mutairi highlighted the need for coordinated efforts among government bodies, the private sector, and civil society to ensure the success of upcoming events. He stressed that these efforts should reflect a professional and national spirit that projects Kuwait's civilized image and contributes to revitalizing the country's economy. The meeting was attended by notable figures including Sheikha Amthal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Head of the Voluntary Work Center. Participants reviewed various visual presentations featuring initiatives such as the "Visit Kuwait" platform, the cultural trail, and the summer events map. Discussions also focused on private sector proposals and recent progress in coordination with the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) to enhance the role of the Kuwait House for National Works in the upcoming period. A significant agenda item was the ongoing preparation for establishing the official position of 'tour guide' in Kuwait. This initiative aims to support tourism and cultural awareness during national events. The committee reviewed procedural steps and discussed implementation strategies in collaboration with relevant authorities. These include setting professional and training standards to certify guides and equip them to present Kuwait's history, cultural heritage, and civilizational landmarks effectively. Furthermore, it was agreed to launch the first phase of this project in partnership with the Volunteer Work Center, opening volunteer opportunities for aspiring tourist guides. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continue enhancing Kuwait's national celebrations through innovation, cooperation, and a strong sense of national pride.


Arab Times
16-07-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
‘Every dinar goes to the right man'
KUWAIT CITY, July 16: Official spokesperson of the Ministry of Social Affairs Yousef Saif Al-Mutairi confirmed that charitable work in Kuwait is subject to the highest standards of transparency and governance within an integrated framework that links donors, projects and beneficiaries, ensuring that every Kuwait dinar reaches its intended recipient. In an interview with Al-Akhbar Channel, Al-Mutairi indicated that the ministry relies on precise monitoring indicators to evaluate the performance of charitable organizations. He explained these indicators begin with the financial indicator, which includes audited budgets and financial reports detailing revenues and expenditures for each project, while controlling administrative expenses and transparently disseminating data to donors. From an administrative perspective Al- Mutairi stressed the need for a clear organizational structure within the organizations, appointment of a general manager and an independent internal auditor, and documenting internal regulations and holding official meetings to ensure compliance and integrity. Regarding monitoring activities, he emphasized the importance of measuring project completion rates and ensuring they are implemented according to plan. He underscored the need for careful monitoring of external projects through reports that include photos and plans, as well as field visits to confirm implementation. He also emphasized the need to evaluate implementing agencies abroad in terms of efficiency and accreditation, focusing on a project's sustainability rather than temporary implementation. He asserted that charitable work in and outside Kuwait is left to the discretion of associations based on community needs and donors' desires, indicating the ministry is committed to achieving a balance that ensures the benefit of those in need in Kuwait as well. He disclosed that the ministry has moved from prior oversight only to a combination of prior and subsequent oversight to overcome challenges and ensure complete transparency. He warned that any donation outside official platforms is a violation, even if the intention is good, and that no individual is allowed to collect donations under his name. He pointed out that the 'Central Aid' platform, launched by the ministry to control and regulate donations, is a pivotal tool that connects donors with beneficiaries through associations, prevents duplication, and enables accurate assessment of cases through registration via the Kuwait Mobile app. He affirmed that the ministry uses monthly reports to evaluate the performance of associations according to these indicators. 'Compliant associations are granted broader powers to collect donations, while non-compliant associations are given development notes, with the possibility of taking strict measures, such as suspension, in the event of serious violations affecting donor funds,' he clarified.

Kuwait Times
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Minister highlights vision for revitalizing theater
KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi underscored the importance of advancing theatrical work in Kuwait during a coordination meeting with representatives of theatrical production companies, civil theater associations, and cultural institutions. The meeting, held at the Government Communication Center, focused on strengthening partnerships to enhance the role of theater in Kuwait's cultural landscape. At the outset, Minister Al-Mutairi affirmed the unwavering support that the culture sector receives from the political leadership, noting the rich history of Kuwaiti theater, which this year marks more than a century since its inception. He paid tribute to the pioneers of Kuwaiti theater whose efforts elevated it into a distinguished Arab and international platform, stressing the role of the younger generation in continuing this legacy. 'Theater today is not only a cultural expression but a key driver of development, contributing to the economy, boosting tourism, and evolving into a professional industry,' the minister said. KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi and Acting Assistant Secretary-General for the Arts Sector are pictured during the event. – KUNA photos Al-Mutairi called for closer cooperation among the public and private sectors, as well as civil society organizations, to enhance the effectiveness and influence of theatrical productions. He emphasized that the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) plays a central role in supporting, sponsoring, and organizing the cultural scene, noting, 'We operate from a national participatory strategy that values theater, and we welcome all visions and proposals for a brighter future.' He also stressed the significance of public engagement and constructive criticism in evaluating the success of performances, highlighting the importance of content that aligns with religious and social values, while also addressing development-related themes that speak to the nation's future. As part of efforts to modernize and expand theater infrastructure, Minister Al-Mutairi revealed that the Council has launched a study to offer several theaters — including Kaifan, Al-Shamiya, Salmiya, and Mishref — for public auction, following the recent auctioning of Dasma Theater for sustainable operation. He further announced coordination with the Ministry of Education to allocate one theater in each governorate from select school venues, with the aim of fostering theatrical activity across all regions of the country. 'Kuwaiti theater stands at a historic crossroads,' Al-Mutairi said, 'with a genuine opportunity to usher in a new era of excellence, backed by the leadership's continuous support and the collaborative efforts of all cultural stakeholders.' The meeting also featured remarks and feedback from attendees, in the presence of NCCAL Secretary-General Dr Mohammed Al-Jassar and Acting Assistant Secretary-General for the Arts Sector Aisha Al-Mahmoud. — KUNA

Kuwait Times
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait wins 4 awards at Arab Radio and Television Festival
TUNIS/KUWAIT: Kuwait's ministry of information celebrated a major achievement at the 25th Arab Radio and Television Festival, held in Tunis from June 23 to 26, taking home four prestigious awards. Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi expressed pride in Kuwait Television's performance, which he described as a reflection of the country's cultural and media identity and a testament to the creativity and dedication of Kuwaiti media professionals. He congratulated the teams behind the winning programs — including editors, presenters, technicians, and administrators — praising their commitment to quality and professionalism. 'These achievements reflect the ministry's policy to support and develop national media production,' Al-Mutairi said, adding that Kuwait remains committed to fostering responsible, balanced, and ethical media that aligns with the country's future vision. TUNIS: Award winners at the 25th Arab Radio and Television Festival. - KUNA photos Kuwait TV earned two gold awards (first place) for the program Kuwaiti Nights in the entertainment and artistic evenings category, and for Afanin Linguistic in the television cultural programs category. In addition, the channel received two second-place awards in the Television Program Exchange and Comprehensive Program Exchange competitions. The festival, organized by the Arab States Broadcasting Union since 1969, was held under the slogan 'Space for Convergence and Creativity' and included a range of events across Tunis and Hammamet. These featured an international media exhibition, a program market with participation from around 80 media institutions, and professional seminars focused on Arab drama, artificial intelligence in media, and children's programming. The Palestinian issue figured prominently throughout the festival's panels and discussions, reaffirming Arab media's commitment to the cause. The event also saw the presentation of around 100 Chinese audiovisual works as part of the 'Media City Program,' signaling deeper cooperation between Arab and Chinese media sectors. The opening ceremony took place at the historic Carthage Theater, attended by Tunisian Minister of Culture Amina Sarrarfi and ASBU President Mohammed Al-Harthi. The festival concluded with a grand performance titled The Horse and the Night at the Opera Theater in Tunis. This year's session, chaired by Saudi Arabia's Radio and Television Authority, added depth and diversity to the festival's programming and boosted its regional and international presence. — KUNA


Arab Times
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
Kuwait TV shines with four prestigious awards at Arab Radio and TV Festival
TUNIS, June 28: Kuwait's Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, expressed pride in Kuwait Television's achievement of securing four prestigious awards at the 25th Arab Radio and Television Festival, held in the Tunisian capital from June 23 to 26. In a statement to KUNA on Friday, Al-Mutairi extended his congratulations to the dedicated production teams behind the award-winning programs, including producers, presenters, technicians, and administrative staff. He praised their continuous creativity and commitment to delivering content that embodies Kuwait's rich cultural and media identity. Al-Mutairi credited the support of Kuwait's political leadership for enabling such accomplishments, emphasizing that the awards reflect the Ministry's strategy to foster and advance national media production. He reiterated the Ministry's commitment to promoting responsible, balanced media rooted in professionalism and ethical standards. He also commended the participating media teams for their distinguished performance at the festival and reaffirmed the Ministry's support for local talent, encouraging innovation and excellence to elevate the national media sector in alignment with the state's development goals. Organized by the Arab States Broadcasting Union under the theme 'A Space for Encounter and Creativity,' the festival witnessed broad participation from Arab media organizations. Kuwait TV earned two gold awards for its programs Kuwait Nights in the variety and entertainment category and Linguistic Arts in the television cultural program category. The broadcaster also secured two additional awards in the television program exchange competition.