KUWAIT CITY, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait marked on Wednesday the 58th anniversary of declaring its independence on June 19, 1961.
The independence document was signed by the then Emir late Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, the 11th ruler of Kuwait, who was also known as the "Father of Independence," and the British commissioner for the Arabian Gulf Sir George Middleton, on behalf of his government.
The document abolished the agreement signed by late Emir Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah, the seventh ruler of Kuwait, with Britain on Jan. 23, 1899, to protect Kuwait against external ambitions.
After independence, an Amiri decree was issued identifying the form of Kuwait's post-independence flag.
As an appreciation of the great role played by the late Emir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah in Kuwait's independence and laying down the foundation of the modern state, a decree was issued in 1963 to merge the National Day with Accession the Throne Day on Feb. 25, the date when he ascended the throne in Kuwait in 1950.
June 19, 1961 was a special day in the life of the Kuwaiti people when the country got its independence.
On this occasion, Talal Abdullah Al-Fadhli, 30-year-old media consultant, told Xinhua that Kuwait celebrates this anniversary by reuniting with their families every year to express the joy.
"This is a happy anniversary, and on this occasion, the loyal devotees of this benevolent country are keen to express love, patriotism and allegiance," he said.
"In these situations, we remain speechless, that is how we can express our joy in getting independence," he added.
Athoob Al-Shuaibi, a 41-year-old photographer, said that the choice of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah not to choose this day to celebrate and replace it in February reflects his keen interest in the people.
"He wanted everyone to come out to celebrate amidst good weather in February where people could get out. He was not only the man of the Constitution of Kuwait but also the man who won our hearts," he said.
As for Fahad Al-Anzi, a 27-year-old civil engineer, the independence of Kuwait was the beginning of the freedom for Kuwait, which made it a fully independent country.
"Every Kuwaiti should tell his children about the history of Kuwait and enlighten them about this anniversary," he noted.
