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In a TV interview, Dr. Sheikha Al-Jassem, a professor of philosophy at Kuwait University, made a plea for keeping religion separate from politics and said that "anyone who believes that the Quran, or the shari'a, or the interpretations of these religious texts are above the constitution is betraying the state of Kuwait." Al-Jassem, who said that "every religion gets hijacked at some point by the politicians," stressed that the source of authority should be the constitution and said that placing the Quran above the constitution was "the undoing of our democratic regime." She was speaking on the Kuwaiti Al-Shahed TV channel on March 8, 2016.
Following are excerpts:
Dr. Sheikha Al-Jassem: Is religion being politicized? Of course. This is how it has always been, not only in Islam – every religion gets hijacked at some point by the politicians.
[…]
Why is it dangerous when a religion gets hijacked? Because instead of religion being something between you and your Lord, something that is in your heart, it becomes a tool for oppressing people, for example, and making them take a certain path.
Interviewer: To make them carry out a certain agenda.
Dr. Sheikha Al-Jassem: Exactly.
[…]
Look at the way Kuwait was in the 1960s and the 1970s, and how it was suddenly transformed completely in the 1980s. we can all see it today. Perhaps young people who were not born then… Maybe they are not so young, some of them are getting married already… They were born in the 1990s, imagine that… Those who were born in the 1990s think that Kuwait has always been like this – most of the people wearing abayas and niqabs - but that's not the case. The niqab entered Kuwait only after the [Iraqi] invasion. It wasn't here before, definitely not to the extent that it is today. We have a perspective that they do not have. We see the transformation. It is as if Kuwait has been hijacked. Where was it then, and where is it now?
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A person true to himself wants religion to be something deep, not only in form. What's important is your relationship with your Lord, not what you wear. Are you being true in what you say, think, and do?
Interviewer: Your moral values…
Dr. Sheikha Al-Jassem: Exactly. But whether you take off a few centimeters from your beard or your robe, or add a few – that's not what matters. We have different opinions regarding this. I know that some people watching us won't like what I'm saying at all. At the end of the day, everyone can think and act as they please, but we have kept silent for years and we have the right to speak up. Religion is deeper than these formalities.
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The notion of gender segregation [at universities] is totally unnecessary. In my opinion and in the opinion of many, the purpose of the segregation was to impose control over society. Just as they dressed us in niqabs after the liberation [from Iraqi occupation], they are now imposing [segregation] and calling it tradition. It has never been part of our tradition. From the day Kuwait University was established, there never was gender segregation.
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We must differentiate between the positive aspects of religion – if someone adopts what he considers to be good, such as shortening his robe, growing his beard longer, or praying five times a day in the mosque – these things are good if he does them of his own free will… But terrorism and killing in the name of religion is another thing altogether.
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Interviewer: Do you consider Kuwait to be a religious state or a democratic state? There is always controversy over this definition.
Dr. Sheikha Al-Jassem: Our source of authority is supposed to be the constitution. The constitution stipulates that the Kuwaiti regime id democratic, and that the sovereignty lies with the [Kuwaiti] nation. The shari'a is "a source" [for legislation], and not "the source," like the others want. Therefore, this question should not even be raised.
Interviewer: But they say that the Quran, the shari'a, and the religion are the more important than the constitution.
Dr. Sheikha Al-Jassem: This is the undoing of our democratic regime.
Interviewer: In their opinion, the sharia and the Quran are more important than the constitution. According to them, this is a conservative Islamic state.
[…]
Interviewer: He poses a danger to the state?
Dr. Sheikha Al-Jassem: Yes. His loyalties do not lie with Kuwait. If someone suggested to him to change something because Quran says so, he would be ready to betray Kuwait. You can see what has been going on lately. Some cases are still pending appeal, and I don't want to talk about them, but they all deal with treason against the state, by people who believed in something other than our democratic constitution. Anyone who believes that the Quran, or the shari'a, or the interpretations of these religious texts are above the constitution is betraying the state of Kuwait.
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These are two different things. The Quran is the holy book of the Muslims, and the constitution pertains to the state of Kuwait. You cannot compare the two. It's not that one is superior to the other. Each has its own place. We are trying to run a state. Are we supposed to do it with the Quran?!
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I find it very strange that a person is sent to prison for "insulting the state." You cannot hurt the state's feelings. It is not a woman. Right?
Interviewer: So cursing other countries and leveling accusations against them is within one's personal liberties?
Dr. Sheikha Al-Jassem: What difference does it make?! I think it's laughable that a state gets offended when some person in another country writes something on Twitter about it, and it decides to press charges against him. Imagine that! Look what goes on in Europe and America. Look what they do to their presidents, their kings, and their prophets. Look what they do to their rulers and their scared people…
Interviewer: But we are not like America and Europe…
Dr. Sheikha Al-Jassem: Ultimately, we will be like them. We are gradually following their path.
Interviewer: You expect us to reach the level of liberty they have in Europe and America?
Dr. Sheikha Al-Jassem: At least with regard to freedom of speech…
Interviewer: But this is a conservative society…
Dr. Sheikha Al-Jassem: What does it conserve exactly? It is all an act in our society. It pretends to be conservative, but it is not.
Interviewer: What part are we acting exactly?
Dr. Sheikha Al-Jassem: We are acting a lot of different parts. People know that very well.
Interviewer: Give me an example.
Dr. Sheikha Al-Jassem: Just look at the Kuwaiti people – even the men, not only the women. When in Kuwait, they adopt a certain code regarding the way they dress, the way they talk, the way they act, and regarding everything. But the moment they travel abroad, they turn into someone else.
Interviewer: Why is that?
Dr. Sheikha Al-Jassem: Because they are acting. They have become skilled actors.
[…]
We have a lot of taboos in our society, that's for sure. But some fundamental things should exist, but don't – like freedom of speech.
Interviewer: It exists. Yet here we are, saying whatever we want.
Dr. Sheikha Al-Jassem: But it's all in codes.
Interviewer: Codes?! You can say whatever you want.
Dr. Sheikha Al-Jassem: No, I can't…
Interviewer: Why? It is you who are holding back. I'm not stopping you…
Dr. Sheikha Al-Jassem: That's because I am aware of the things that I am allowed and not allowed to say.
[…]
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