It was reported earlier this week by Al-Qabas newspaper that the Tareq Rajab museum in Jabriyah, Kuwait was going to be demolished due to some illegal building transgressions.
Headlines like that can cause a wave of panic to run through everyone who appreciates Islamic art, culture and history. Tareq Sayed Rajab and his wife Jehan are one of the most dedicated and selfless private collectors whose efforts are certainly widely appreciated in Kuwait.
This is why it was unbelievable that such a valuable museum was going to be supposedly torn down.
After a careful reading of the report today in AL-Qabas newspaper and the response of the Kuwait Municipality, it appears that there was no intention to tear down the building (which is a private property). However, according to the Municipality response, there was a complaint by a neighbour because the second basement built into the museum caused her own basement level to rise and some cracks in her building.
The complaints against the building in which the museum is held are as follows:
1) It is in a residential area ( but we all know that that law is overlooked)
2) Is there a permit to have a museum in a residential area?
3) Do the museum owners have a permit to built a second basement?
The Kuwait Municipality has asked to be shown the building permits and the permit for the building to be a museum. There is no intention to bulldoze the building but they might cut off electricity to the second basement which is unlicensed. The Municipality has requested legal permission to investigate the interior of the building as they could not do so under ordinary circumstances (it being classified as a residence).
In my opinion:
1) It is always best to make sure of the news before making hysterical claims in the newspaper. We should not blow such news out of proportion before reading all the facts.
2) It is HIGH time the efforts of this wonderful family be recognized AND supported by the concerned authorities. They shouldn’t have to worry about permits and authorization or an adequate location. It is depressing to read that Ziad Tareq Sayed Rajab would wonder aloud and say: “Does the Kuwait Municipality or the Government want us to transport our museum to one of the neighbouring Arabian Gulf countries like Qatar or the UAE that promotes art and Islamic heritage museum owners by spending millions on them?”
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chika said:
Yes, I think they should focus on other things in this country and instead of what’s happening, provide Tareq with a piece of land to build a bigger one.. That stupid neighbor should be tracked down!
Teapot said:
He’s a relative of ours and it is extremly annoying how they’re not getting the recognition they deserve when in fact they get more support outside of Kuwait. Very sad :/
philosophical observer said:
Teapot do they still have the swimming pool on one of the upper floors of the building(which is pretty cool)