Kuwait Independence / Liberation Holiday Treat
My friends, run to the nearest newsstand and pick up a copy of today’s Arab Times. On page 3, one of Kuwait’s most eminent bloggers, Amer al Hilal, has a full page article; his diary as a soldier during the Liberation.
It is an awesome article. He brings the liberation period, with its thrills and challenges, to life. He is a very readable writer, and his story is compelling. Now! Right now! Go read the paper! Its YOUR history!
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Do you have a copy you can send me? I knew Amer Hilal in the US during that time and I would be really interested in hearing his perspective.
He produced a video in 1990 that I still have at home and it was one of the most poignant perspectives on the invasion that I have ever seen. In fact, just thinking about it is making me cry.
Best wishes,
DG
It’s page 3, the whole page, in today’s Arab Times, DG, but you can also read it online at:
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/client/pagesdetails.asp?nid=29061&ccid=9
Intlx – thanks for the kind words and link, I am glad you enjoyed that piece, which quite frankly was necessary this year.
DG – Hope you are well, what a coincidence – You are absolutely right about that film – did we go to school together? The only way you’d know about is if you were in my Mass. Comm. class at AU!
You are welcome, Amer. Your writing about the immediate post-Liberation Kuwait, the shocked quietness of the victims, was particularly moving to me.
Is your film available on You-Tube? Have you ever posted it?
It was a VHS copy that I used for my Film class, it had raw footage of the invasion smuggled out by Kuwaitis (bodies etc) and we edited it with some music, it was short but pretty powerful – I don’t have that copy anymore unfortunately – I even managed to lose a large chunk of liberation pictures but managed to find a few (posted one on http://www.hilaliya.com). The feedback I am getting via emails is amazing though, very heartfelt and from a diverse group of people – maybe one day I’ll post them in a thread.
You know the journals/diary stuff you saw were excerpts, there is a hell of a lot more – maybe one day I’ll publish a book. That particular era needs first-hand written documentation in English.
Yes. You are gifted at capturing the moment, Amer; Kuwait needs your testament. I would also love to see a compilation of experiences, kept in the Liberation museum until the Kuwait National Museum opens again . . . if ever. Now and then we can get our friends to talk about their experiences and it is always a riveting moment.
This year it has been very exciting, people are opening up – Scope TV Kuwaiti channel had individuals yesterday talking about torture victims, burying the dead, so much graphic history…I think there is an awareness building, people detect that the govt. has neglected the history and now they are stepping up to the plate.
Great work Amer. I`ve always believed that there is a lack of documentation regarding this issue, specially in English and other langauges. I was only 8 at the time and I`ve witnessed, and heared, horrifying incidents and stories, but reading and hearing other people`s experiences is always enlightening. I hope you do publish a book one day.