KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah congratulated yesterday both citizens and expats on the 61st National Day and the 31st Liberation Day of Kuwait. HH the Amir expressed appreciation and delight over the fervor shown by people for the two dear occasions and their participation in celebrations and festivals held across the country.

HH the Amir said these celebrations embodied loyalty and allegiance to the dear homeland and the Kuwaiti family through love and unity. He lauded the great efforts and effective participations of the country's ministries, official bodies and NGOs in these celebrations. He recalled the fathers who founded the country and the key role of the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah and Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, namely during the Iraqi invasion.

HH the Amir also recalled the honorable achievements made by past leaders for the country and citizens that will be eternal. In addition, HH the Amir remembered, with pride, the martyrs who sacrificed their souls and blood for the sake of the dear homeland, praying to Allah to bestow mercy upon their souls. The Amir thanked the GCC and Arab leaders for sharing Kuwait's celebrations of the national days. He prayed to Allah to protect the dear homeland and maintain its security, safety and prosperity.

A girl waves the national flag as jets fly over Kuwait Towers on Friday during celebrations of the country's 61st National Day and the 31st Liberation Day. - Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Meanwhile, Kuwait set a new Guinness world record for raising the largest Kuwaiti flag (2,742 square meters) on the summit of Oman's Jebel Shams, one of the highest mountains in the Arab world. In a statement to KUNA yesterday, head of the voluntary team KFlag Fuad Qabazard said he was proud of raising the flag on the summit, which stands at 3,028 m above the ground. He dedicated this big achievement to the Kuwaiti leadership, government and people, while thanking the Omani authorities for facilitating all measures.

In Kuwait, people enjoyed and celebrated the National and Liberation Days with exhibitions and car parades after nearly two years of restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. The government has declared a weeklong holiday (including the Israa and Meraj holiday), with public institutions to reopen on March 6. The entire Arabian Gulf Road was packed with cars on both days, with revelers wearing national colors and carrying national flags. Some even got out of their cars to dance to the tune of Kuwaiti patriotic songs. The ring roads were also full of people celebrating. - Agencies