According to OSAC (United States Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security; not sure how they make OSAC out of that?) - It's quite safe, except for..
"The neighborhoods of Jleeb Ashouyouk and Al Abassiya, located on the outskirts of Kuwait City International Airport, are recognized and identified as high-crime areas due to criminal elements operating drug, prostitution, gambling, and black market enterprises. These areas are populated by TCNs who are poorly paid. Consequently, they may turn to crime to support themselves. Kuwaiti police prefer to contain these elements within these areas, rather than confront them directly. While violent crimes of rape, theft, and murder occur in these locations, they typically target TCNs, not Kuwaitis or Westerners. Americans are urged to avoid these areas altogether, especially at night. In addition, the area known as Sulaibiya, located west of the central prison, should be avoided due to high crime and the dense population of ‘stateless’ families who live in poorly constructed housing. Moreover, Americans also should use caution in and around the city of Jahra, where more conservative residents may question the presence of westerners."
To read more [link].
LWDLIK- Pretty accurate I would say.
More likely the Kuwaiti Government doesn't want people to see the poor areas out of shame/disgrace.
ReplyDeleteYou never hear of any violent crimes taking place in Sulaibiya for example, where the Stateless people are generally peaceful for fear of being thrown into a deportation center (although some have lived in Kuwait for 4 generations, yet have no official documentation - as per Kuwait's laws). .. and what does "poorly constructed housing" have to do with crime?
If you'll notice through regular articles in the Kuwaiti newspapers, a majority of violent crimes take place Kuwaiti-on-Kuwait through domestic arguments; or in Salmiya which is a shopping area (with a lot of Westerners). Gang fights at one Mall in particular (Marina) are regularly in the news. Kidnapping (or attempted kidnapping) of Westerners (for example) has never happened in any of the areas mentioned in the report. In fact, Westerners have been SHOT in Doha and Fahaheel in broad daylight, but not Abasiya or Jleeb. And I've always felt welcomed in Jahra; and Westerners do actually live there.
OSAC is made up from representatives of the embassy and representatives who live in the locale. I'm wondering: How many of the OSAC members have ever been to (driven through?) these areas.
I've been to all the mentioned areas - and at night - and felt about the same level of threat as I do driving through downtown Washington DC.
Hi DG, I wrote a huge response to this and it's disappeared? :O(
ReplyDeleteBasically agreeing. Malls getting dangerous. All culprits should be held accountable for crimes. Bedoon issue needs dealing with. And the desperate people living in Jleeb need either to be repatriated or given the opportunity to work; my husband's friend did a documentary on Jleeb - quite astounding!
@ DG - Always great to hear from you x
ReplyDeleteNice to hear from you too! :) You/your husband's friend might be interested in this site I came across:
ReplyDeleteLink: http://www.migrant-rights.org/2011/11/12/trivializing-abuse/
@ DG - I've seen it. It is horrifying to read of the disgraceful abuse of human beings :O(
ReplyDeleteI have borrowed a few of their shocking statistics and posted on here.
Needs to be addressed urgently!
My son works in Hawali. Is it safe there?
ReplyDeleteYes it's very safe in Hawally. Sorry for the delay in answering sometimes when the site is upgrading I don't receive commnent notifications :O(
DeleteLWDLIK, can we see that documentary anywhere? Would love to get some good insight!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteNadya
The documentary is in Arabic, I did suggest to the director to put on English subtitles. Will ask him for a link or if there's a clip on youtube. The director is a talented Kuwaiti called Yarub Burahma.
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