Latest news with #Kassem
Kuwait Times
14-06-2025
- General
- Kuwait Times
New generation of Kuwaiti architects reimagines memory, place, and identity
By Dena Alfadhli Kuwait is entering a new chapter in how it values and preserves its cultural heritage. Efforts led by institutions such as the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) are paving the way for UNESCO World Heritage status for sites like Failaka Island and Al-Zour. Restoration projects at landmarks such as Al-Qurain House and Kuwait's old souqs signal a shift toward honoring history amid rapid modernization. A new wave of architects — many of whom participated in this year's Venice Architecture Biennale — is embracing heritage not as a relic, but as a foundation. They're reviving it to inform contemporary design and reconnect communities with place, memory, and identity. Amid accelerating modernization and globalization, these architects are raising a vital question: What happens when a nation loses touch with its architectural roots? Kuwait's built environment is at a crossroads. Once grounded in preservation and harmony with the natural landscape, its architecture now leans on imported styles and resource-heavy methods in an attempt to meet global standards. According to Mohammad Kassem, one of the curators of the Kuwait pavilion, the result is 'a patchwork of borrowed aesthetics — disconnected from local history, culture and climate'. That's why for this year's 2025 Architecture Biennale, Kassem — alongside Naser Ashour and Rabab Raes Kazem — led a collective of Kuwaiti architects, artists and designers to reimagine a future shaped by memory. Through their work, they ask: How can a city grow without forgetting where it came from? And how can architecture help us reconnect — with the land, our past and each other? Since 2013, Kuwait has actively participated in the Venice Architecture Biennale — one of the world's most prestigious events in architectural discourse. This year, under the sponsorship of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and the commission of NCCAL, Kuwait's contribution took shape in a pavilion titled Kaynuna, a word that refers to the essential nature of something — what makes it truly what it is. Alongside designing the pavilion itself, participants worked on group projects that reexamined Kuwait's past, present, and future in ways that transcend aesthetics. For Kassem, this 'essence' is about the values and history that shape us and form a lasting cultural identity. Drawing the souq back to life Among the contributors are Kuwaiti architects Qutaiba Buyabes, Alya Aly, Batool Ashour and Danah Alhasan, whose work explores how the future can be approached through memory — fragmented, emotional and imperfect. Their focus turned to Al-Ahmadi Souq, once the heart of a thriving oil town and part of Kuwait's original 'garden city' vision, now left in decay. Rather than restoring the mid-century market to its former state, they reimagined it through hand-drawn studies that blend memory with imagination. Here, drawing becomes a tool not for precision, but for storytelling — reviving elements like concrete arcades and fish-scale mashrabiyas as symbolic echoes. Their vision reclaims Ahmadi's spirit as a walkable, green, community-centered town — offering a poetic yet practical blueprint for how forgotten spaces might reconnect with both heritage and future needs. Reviving Kuwait's lost wall For generations, Kuwait's architecture quietly told a story of survival — homes built to breathe in desert heat, shaded courtyards that cooled the air, and walls made from coral stone and mud that stood resilient against scarcity. But as the city expanded, its protective wall was dismantled. Kuwaiti architects Ahmad Almutawa and Khaled Mohamed saw these walls as a vital part of the city's identity. With help from their research team, their project proposes reviving the wall — not as a fortress, but as a living pathway. It traces the original route through the city, particularly between two surviving gates: Al Jahra and Al Shamiya. Once points of defense, they are reimagined as gathering spaces and cultural markets — places to cross, pause, and reflect. Inspired by Shaheed Park, their design balances nature, heritage and contemporary urban design. The desert as archive Kuwaiti architects Khaled Alanjeri, Noor Abdulkhaleq, Nour Alkhader and their research team challenge the notion that the desert is barren or lifeless. Instead, they present it as a dynamic force that has shaped human settlement, building practices and cultural survival for generations. Their project revisits areas like Al-Adan and Shuaiba — once vibrant coastal communities that were erased to make way for oil refineries. These lost landscapes reveal the human and cultural cost of rapid industrialization. Rather than treating the desert as something to conquer or erase, their work proposes designing with it — honoring its ecological rhythms and cultural depth. The desert, they argue, is not just a backdrop, but a source of materials, a space of memory, and a witness to both fragility and resilience. From corner store to community anchor Another project focuses on the jameia — Kuwait's neighborhood cooperative society — not simply as a market, but as a legacy of community-driven development. Originating in the post-oil welfare era, jameiat reinvested profits into public life, anchoring new suburbs with parks, clinics and shared spaces. Architects explored how these planned neighborhoods still revolve around traditional institutions like mosques and diwaniyas, and imagined a future where jameiat evolve into cultural hubs — supporting artisans, reviving crafts and integrating heritage into daily life. Their vision demonstrates that modernization doesn't have to erase identity — it can reinforce it. Rather than shying away from uncertainty, these architects embrace it as a space for exploration and creativity. By bridging theory and practice, they challenge conventional thinking and propose alternative ways of seeing the world. As Rabab Raes Kazem puts it, 'Although these solutions fall under speculative situations, they engage the mind in ways that allow us to reclaim our history and build upon it a new future.' Arches of the souq reimagined. Bank windows Kaynuna Old souq Pavillion Salons The English Bookshop
Asharq Al-Awsat
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Hezbollah Leader Calls on Government to Work Harder to End Israel's Attacks on Lebanon
The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah group called on the government Monday to work harder to end Israel's attacks in the country a day after an Israeli airstrike hit a suburb of Beirut. Naim Kassem said in a televised speech that Hezbollah implemented the ceasefire deal that ended the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war in late November. But despite that, Israel is continuing with near-daily airstrikes. Kassem's comments came as the Israeli military said it carried out more than 50 strikes in Lebanon this month saying they came after Hezbollah violated the US-brokered ceasefire, The Associated Press reported. On Sunday, Israeli warplanes struck Beirut's southern suburbs after issuing a warning about an hour earlier, marking the third Israeli strike on the area since a ceasefire took effect in late November. The Israeli military said it struck a precision-guided missiles facility. 'The resistance complied 100% with the (ceasefire) deal and I tell state officials that it's your duty to guarantee protection,' Kassem said, adding that Lebanese officials should contact sponsors of the ceasefire so that they pressure Israel to cease its attacks. 'Put pressure on America and make it understand that Lebanon cannot rise if the aggression doesn't stop,' Kassem said, pointing to Lebanese officials. He added that the US has interests in Lebanon and 'stability achieves these interests.' Kassem said the priority should be for an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, an end to Israeli strikes in the country and the release of Lebanese held in Israel since the war that ended on Nov. 27. Hezbollah began launching rockets, drones and missiles into Israel the day after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel by its Hamas allies ignited the Israel-Hamas war. The Palestinian Hamas group killed about 1,200 people in Israel and abducted 251 others during the 2023 attack. The Israel-Hezbollah conflict exploded into all-out war last September when Israel carried out waves of airstrikes and killed most of the militant group's senior leaders. The fighting killed over 4,000 people. The Lebanese government said earlier this month that 190 people have been killed and 485 injured in Lebanon by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire took effect.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Hezbollah chief asks govt to take action to end Israel's attacks on Lebanon
The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah group called on the government on Monday to work harder to end Israel's attacks in the country a day after an Israeli airstrike hit a suburb of Beirut. Naim Kassem said in a televised speech that Hezbollah implemented the ceasefire deal that ended the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war in late November. But despite that, Israel is continuing with near-daily airstrikes. Kassem's comments came as the Israeli military said it carried out more than 50 strikes in Lebanon this month saying they came after Hezbollah violated the US-brokered ceasefire. On Sunday, Israeli warplanes struck Beirut's southern suburbs after issuing a warning about an hour earlier, marking the third Israeli strike on the area since a ceasefire took effect in late November. The Israeli military said it struck a precision-guided missiles facility. "The resistance complied 100 per cent with the (ceasefire) deal and I tell state officials that it's your duty to guarantee protection," Kassem said, adding that Lebanese officials should contact sponsors of the ceasefire so that they pressure Israel to cease its attacks. "Put pressure on America and make it understand that Lebanon cannot rise if the aggression doesn't stop," Kassem said, pointing to Lebanese officials. He added that the US has interests in Lebanon and "stability achieves these interests". Kassem said the priority should be for an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, an end to Israeli strikes in the country and the release of Lebanese held in Israel since the war that ended on November 27. Hezbollah began launching rockets, drones and missiles into Israel the day after the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel by its Hamas allies ignited the Israel-Hamas war. Palestinian militants killed about 1,200 people in Israel and abducted 251 others during the 2023 attack. The Israel-Hezbollah conflict exploded into all-out war last September when Israel carried out waves of airstrikes and killed most of the militant group's senior leaders. The fighting killed over 4,000 people. The Lebanese government said earlier this month that 190 people have been killed and 485 injured in Lebanon by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire took effect.
Washington Post
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Hezbollah leader calls on government to work harder to end Israel's attacks on Lebanon
BEIRUT — The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah group called on the government Monday to work harder to end Israel's attacks in the country a day after an Israeli airstrike hit a suburb of Beirut. Naim Kassem said in a televised speech that Hezbollah implemented the ceasefire deal that ended the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war in late November. But despite that, Israel is continuing with near-daily airstrikes. Kassem's comments came as the Israeli military said it carried out more than 50 strikes in Lebanon this month saying they came after Hezbollah violated the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. On Sunday, Israeli warplanes struck Beirut's southern suburbs after issuing a warning about an hour earlier, marking the third Israeli strike on the area since a ceasefire took effect in late November. The Israeli military said it struck a precision-guided missiles facility. 'The resistance complied 100% with the (ceasefire) deal and I tell state officials that it's your duty to guarantee protection,' Kassem said, adding that Lebanese officials should contact sponsors of the ceasefire so that they pressure Israel to cease its attacks. 'Put pressure on America and make it understand that Lebanon cannot rise if the aggression doesn't stop,' Kassem said, pointing to Lebanese officials. He added that the U.S. has interests in Lebanon and 'stability achieves these interests.' Kassem said the priority should be for an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, an end to Israeli strikes in the country and the release of Lebanese held in Israel since the war that ended on Nov. 27. Hezbollah began launching rockets, drones and missiles into Israel the day after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel by its Hamas allies ignited the Israel-Hamas war. Palestinian militants killed about 1,200 people in Israel and abducted 251 others during the 2023 attack. The Israel-Hezbollah conflict exploded into all-out war last September when Israel carried out waves of airstrikes and killed most of the militant group's senior leaders. The fighting killed over 4,000 people. The Lebanese government said earlier this month that 190 people have been killed and 485 injured in Lebanon by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire took effect.
Arab News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Hezbollah leader calls on government to work harder to end Israel's attacks on Lebanon
BEIRUT: The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah group called on the government Monday to work harder to end Israel's attacks in the country a day after an Israeli airstrike hit a suburb of Beirut. Naim Kassem said in a televised speech that Hezbollah implemented the ceasefire deal that ended the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war in late November. But despite that, Israel is continuing with near-daily airstrikes. Kassem's comments came as the Israeli military said it carried out more than 50 strikes in Lebanon this month saying they came after Hezbollah violated the US-brokered ceasefire. On Sunday, Israeli warplanes struck Beirut's southern suburbs after issuing a warning about an hour earlier, marking the third Israeli strike on the area since a ceasefire took effect in late November. The Israeli military said it struck a precision-guided missiles facility. 'The resistance complied 100 percent with the (ceasefire) deal and I tell state officials that it's your duty to guarantee protection,' Kassem said, adding that Lebanese officials should contact sponsors of the ceasefire so that they pressure Israel to cease its attacks. 'Put pressure on America and make it understand that Lebanon cannot rise if the aggression doesn't stop,' Kassem said, pointing to Lebanese officials. He added that the US has interests in Lebanon and 'stability achieves these interests.' Kassem said the priority should be for an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, an end to Israeli strikes in the country and the release of Lebanese held in Israel since the war that ended on Nov. 27. Hezbollah began launching rockets, drones and missiles into Israel the day after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel by its Hamas allies ignited the Israel-Hamas war. Palestinian militants killed about 1,200 people in Israel and abducted 251 others during the 2023 attack. The Israel-Hezbollah conflict exploded into all-out war last September when Israel carried out waves of airstrikes and killed most of the militant group's senior leaders. The fighting killed over 4,000 people. The Lebanese government said earlier this month that 190 people have been killed and 485 injured in Lebanon by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire took effect.
