The existence of tribe’s dates back to pre-state times in Kuwait and in the Gulf. Tribe is one of the basic components of society. In light of democracy and elections in Kuwait, tribes continued to have a role in politics. Many questions surround the role of tribe in politics and the ability of tribes to manipulate the political process.

Dr. Shafeeq Ghabra, through the “Weekly Diwaniya”, dealt with these questions. The program was aired Monday night at 10:00pm Kuwait time and again on Tuesday at 1:30pm. Appearing on this week’s episode was, Member of Parliament Ali Al-Daqbassi, of Al-Farwaniya District, one of the 25 electoral districts of Kuwait. Al-Daqbbasi also participated in his Tribe’s primary. Another guest on the program was former MP Essam al-Dabbous who formerly represented al-Fahaheel District but lost the last elections after two tribes decided to unite forces to support other candidates.

Ghabra started by asking his guests what the word tribe means.  Al-Daqbassi replied: “we are Arabs and our social and cultural traditions are Arab and for this reason you can not separate society from the tribe. Whether you are a minister, a doctor, or a businessman tribe is a very natural thing in this country. I am proud to belong to my tribe, as much as I am proud of my roots and of being part of an Islamic nation.”

Ghabra: “Where is the line drawn between belonging to a tribe and becoming extreme in your affinity to the tribe?

Al-Daqbassi: "Extremism exists everywhere. Everything around us is subject to extremism and to a middle ground, beyond the law. The line is always drawn in favor of the nations interest.”

In regards to society, Al-Daqbassi said: "The tribal system is a system we inherited and we must understand. The tribe has a social dimension and has positive aspects that help us deal with social and cultural issues.”

Ghabra : were do you draw the line between national and tribal loyalties?]

The Tribes of Kuwait are loyal and patriotic al-Daqbassi stated. “ This is our record, yet there is not contradiction between national loyalty and tribal loyalty.”

As to the political side of tribes, Al-Daqbassi said: "Tribes practice politics like in any other political entity. This is not exclusive to tribes. Political groups (that are still illegal in Kuwait) issue statements and are not condemned and even run for elections with public lists. So why are tribes prohibited from doing that? Tribes consult among each other and this is a form of democracy. If the law in this country does not prohibit people from gathering in the Diwaniyah, then it is normal to meet and discuss public and electoral issues as tribe members".

Al-Daqbassi : "A law was approved by parliament that prohibits tribal primary-elections.  This was a problematic law since it did not prohibit all kinds of other pre election primaries."

In relation to the role of political parties, Al-Daqbassi said "I am strongly against political parties because in the Arab World it has been a negative experience. However it is more natural to accept tribalism before accepting political parties.”

Former Kuwaiti MP Essam Al-Dabbous also explained the political role of the tribe. "The state, at the beginning of its creation, nourished and strengthened the roots of tribal affiliations. This contributed weakened the authority of the state and patriotism. A sector of society still sees the tribe as the authority in light of the government weakness."

Al-Dabbous "  I am personally against tribal primary elections which take place before the official elections.”

In relation to tribal affiliation Al-Dabbous said: "The tribes participated in the political processes, just like other parties do."

Al-Dabbous also said: when it comes to tribal discrimination, "If we really want to discuss the role of tribes in politics then we should also discuss the electoral system as a whole, and apply the law at all levels.  We also need to discuss political expenditure and so on. At the end of the day, we all know that political forces and Islamic movements play the tribal game skillfully."

"The tribe has a role in the formation and establishment of Kuwait and its social structure”, said Al-Dabbous. “We have always been tribes but then we became a state. Therefore, the government has to play its role and is obliged to be fair in order to prevent conflict ."

The Kuwaiti audience attending the program felt that the political roles of tribal MPs in the elected National Assembly has changed. Tribal representatives were pro government in the past voting with government most of the time and today they have moved towards the opposition. Some of the young among the audience aired strong opposition to tribal loyalties and called for a move above and beyond these loyalties. Many in the young focused on the need to build broader national loyalties that goes beyond the tribe.

The existence of tribe’s dates back to pre-state times in Kuwait and in the Gulf. Tribe is one of the basic components of society. In light of democracy and elections in Kuwait, tribes continued to have a role in politics. Many questions surround the role of tribe in politics and the ability of tribes to manipulate the political process.

Dr. Shafeeq Ghabra, through the “Weekly Diwaniya”, dealt with these questions. The program was aired Monday night at 10:00pm Kuwait time and again on Tuesday at 1:30pm. Appearing on this week’s episode was, Member of Parliament Ali Al-Daqbassi, of Al-Farwaniya District, one of the 25 electoral districts of Kuwait. Al-Daqbbasi also participated in his Tribe’s primary. Another guest on the program was former MP Essam al-Dabbous who formerly represented al-Fahaheel District but lost the last elections after two tribes decided to unite forces to support other candidates.

Ghabra started by asking his guests what the word tribe means.  Al-Daqbassi replied: “we are Arabs and our social and cultural traditions are Arab and for this reason you can not separate society from the tribe. Whether you are a minister, a doctor, or a businessman tribe is a very natural thing in this country. I am proud to belong to my tribe, as much as I am proud of my roots and of being part of an Islamic nation.”

Ghabra: “Where is the line drawn between belonging to a tribe and becoming extreme in your affinity to the tribe?

Al-Daqbassi: "Extremism exists everywhere. Everything around us is subject to extremism and to a middle ground, beyond the law. The line is always drawn in favor of the nations interest.”

In regards to society, Al-Daqbassi said: "The tribal system is a system we inherited and we must understand. The tribe has a social dimension and has positive aspects that help us deal with social and cultural issues.”

Ghabra : were do you draw the line between national and tribal loyalties?]

The Tribes of Kuwait are loyal and patriotic al-Daqbassi stated. “ This is our record, yet there is not contradiction between national loyalty and tribal loyalty.”

As to the political side of tribes, Al-Daqbassi said: "Tribes practice politics like in any other political entity. This is not exclusive to tribes. Political groups (that are still illegal in Kuwait) issue statements and are not condemned and even run for elections with public lists. So why are tribes prohibited from doing that? Tribes consult among each other and this is a form of democracy. If the law in this country does not prohibit people from gathering in the Diwaniyah, then it is normal to meet and discuss public and electoral issues as tribe members".

Al-Daqbassi : "A law was approved by parliament that prohibits tribal primary-elections.  This was a problematic law since it did not prohibit all kinds of other pre election primaries."

In relation to the role of political parties, Al-Daqbassi said "I am strongly against political parties because in the Arab World it has been a negative experience. However it is more natural to accept tribalism before accepting political parties.”

Former Kuwaiti MP Essam Al-Dabbous also explained the political role of the tribe. "The state, at the beginning of its creation, nourished and strengthened the roots of tribal affiliations. This contributed weakened the authority of the state and patriotism. A sector of society still sees the tribe as the authority in light of the government weakness."

Al-Dabbous "  I am personally against tribal primary elections which take place before the official elections.”

In relation to tribal affiliation Al-Dabbous said: "The tribes participated in the political processes, just like other parties do."

Al-Dabbous also said: when it comes to tribal discrimination, "If we really want to discuss the role of tribes in politics then we should also discuss the electoral system as a whole, and apply the law at all levels.  We also need to discuss political expenditure and so on. At the end of the day, we all know that political forces and Islamic movements play the tribal game skillfully."

"The tribe has a role in the formation and establishment of Kuwait and its social structure”, said Al-Dabbous. “We have always been tribes but then we became a state. Therefore, the government has to play its role and is obliged to be fair in order to prevent conflict ."

The Kuwaiti audience attending the program felt that the political roles of tribal MPs in the elected National Assembly has changed. Tribal representatives were pro government in the past voting with government most of the time and today they have moved towards the opposition. Some of the young among the audience aired strong opposition to tribal loyalties and called for a move above and beyond these loyalties. Many in the young focused on the need to build broader national loyalties that goes beyond the tribe.