His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received from top state officials yesterday cables of congratulations on the advent of the 57th National Day and 27th Liberation Anniversary. His Highness the Amir thanked His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Speaker of the National Assembly Marzouq Al-Ghanem, Chief of Kuwait National Guard (KNG) Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Deputy KNG Chief Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, as well as His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on their sincere wishes towards Kuwait's development and progress.

Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir received national days greetings and congratulations from Arab and foreign leaders and officials. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah thanked the leaders for their sincere sentiments towards Kuwaiti leadership and people.

Also yesterday, His Highness the Crown Prince exchanged greetings with local officials on the advent of the 57th National Day and 27th Liberation Anniversary. His Highness the Crown Prince received a cable from Ghanem and MPs who congratulated His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Amir on the national occasions. The cable wished the Kuwaiti leadership and people evermore progress and success.  His Highness the Crown Prince sent a cable in return, thanking Speaker Ghanem and MPs on their sincere wishes.

His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf exchanged national days greetings with Sheikh Salem Al-Ali and Sheikh Mubarak Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. His Highness Sheikh Nawaf also exchanged cables with Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad, His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, as well as ministers, governors, diplomats, in addition to a number of citizens and expatriates.

Meanwhile, the Defense Ministry said in a press release that minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad sent a congratulatory cable to His Highness the Amir, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, on the 57th and 27th anniversaries of the country's National Day and Liberation Day respectively.

In the cable, Sheikh Nasser reaffirmed loyalty to Kuwait and complete resolve to resolutely defend the homeland, the Ministry of Defense said in a press release. He also wished His Highness the Amir good health and Kuwait everlasting security, safety and stability. Sheikh Nasser Sabah also sent a couple of congratulatory cables of similar sentiments to His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Prime Minister on the occasion of the country's National Day and Liberation Day.

National anthem

Kuwait's celebration of its 57th National Day, the 27th Liberation Day and the 12th anniversary of the assumption of office by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah coincides this year with the 40th anniversary of the country's national anthem today.

His Highness the Amir took office after the executive and legislative authorities pledged allegiance to him at a historic parliamentary session on January 29, 2006.  The anthem, written by poet Ahmad Al-Adwani and composed by musician Ibrahim Al-Soula, was first broadcast on February 25, 1978, in synchronization with the independence day and the anniversary of late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah' assumption of power.

It was approved by the then cabinet, thus replacing the Amiri Salute that was composed by Yusuf Adees in 1951. Its 40th anniversary adds to the grandeur of the national celebrations across Kuwait that witnesses a remarkable development in all fields under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir.

The State of Kuwait actually gained independence from Britain on June 19, 1961 by virtue of a treaty signed by Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah (1895-1965) - the 11th ruler of the country, and Sir George H Middleton (1910-1998).  The treaty ended Kuwait's status as a British protectorate under the pact signed by Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah - the seventh ruler of the country, and Britain on January 23, 1899.

Kuwait celebrated its first Independence Day on June 19, 1962, with a grand military parade at the old airport where the late Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah delivered a speech. He pledged to set up a constituent assembly to work out a modern constitution and arrange for legislative elections. The constitution was approved in November 1962 and the polls were held on January 23, 1963.

The date of celebrating the Independence Day was shifted on May 18, 1964, to February 25 to coincide with the date of the coronation of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah in commemoration of his role in building Kuwait as an independent, fully sovereign, democratic and modern country.

Great strides

Since its independence, the State of Kuwait has made great strides on the road of progress and prosperity and abided by a balanced foreign open-door policy based on friendship, peace and mutual benefit cooperation. It has been working with regional and international organization to help realize the aspirations of the peoples of the world for development, security and stability.  It was able to build firm relations with almost all countries of the world thanks to contributions to the efforts, led by the United Nations, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Gulf Cooperation Council to ensure stability and security worldwide.

Kuwait plays a prominent role in humanitarian efforts, which became a distinctive feature in its foreign policy and deservedly led to the UN recognition of His Highness the Amir as Humanitarian Leader and Kuwait as Humanitarian Center in September 2014. The national celebrations have passed through different stages since the early 1960s The festivities were first held along the Gulf Street with various state bodies, folklore bands and students taking part.

In 1985, 'Sahat Al-Alam' (the Flag Square), near the Arabian Gulf coastline, was designated as site of festivities; its area amounts to 10,000 sq. m. The country's tallest flagpole, standing 36 meters, was built at there. The jubilant Kuwaiti people enjoy the festivities this year amid remarkable achievements in the economic development, prosperity and national unity under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Muabark Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. - KUNA