HOWZZZ THAT………………………………………

This is not about Cricket and I am not appealing to the umpire in a cricket match for a decision be given against the batsman… but an appeal to my friends to see the absurdity of the country in the 21st Century by enforcing silly rules  to be followed by the residents.
Kuwait has banned the use of digital SLR camera in public and the news reported in Kuwaiti Times the local paper is as under.
Local News
Multi ministry camera ban frustrates artists
Published Date: November 20, 2010 By Abdullah Al-Qattan, Staff Writer
KUWAIT: After the ban three ministries placed on photography, most Kuwaiti youth are a bit confused about what to do with their cameras if they can't use them in public and why such laws were implemented in the first place. The Ministry of Information, Ministry of Social Affairs and Ministry of Finance recently came to the conclusion that photography should be used for journalism purposes only. This has resulted in the ban of Digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras (DSLRs) in public, on the streets and in malls .

What most Kuwaiti photographers have come to wonder is how such a decision could be reached by authorities, especially considering that digital cameras and cell phone cameras have the same abilities. What most people think of photography as a hobby has become a bit misguided due to the fact that the country has so little exposure to art. While using a DSLR, passersby may wonder if the camera is being used for the wrong reasons.

Mohammed Al-Eisa, who picked up photography as a hobby more than 10 years ago, said that he has decided to take photos of animals or still life due to the fact that these subjects don't mind having their picture taken and don't make a scene. "I started facing problems the very first day I bought my camera," Mohammed added.

What often happens is that a big black camera tends to worry people. Taking a picture of a stranger would seem like much less of an issue if you were using a more discreet camera or even a cell phone. Mariam Al-Fodiry said that she has faced similar problems with her hobby and that being a girl doesn't help at all. She said that in some cases it makes the problem even worse. "Switching to abstract and landscape photography was one the options I considered after getting into enough trouble," Mariam said.

Majed Al-Saqer said that sometimes people stop him while he is in his car with his camera, as if he were planning to kill someone with it. He said that he isn't sure what the real problem is, whether it is people taking photos of each other or the size of the camera.

This rule badly affects the Residents and tourists who are into casual photography …..gone are days when one could take pictures of unusual buildings, interesting public areas and post the same on the net or take part in a competition. From now any such photograph could get the person who has taken the picture in serious legal trouble with the law enforcement in Kuwait !!! No reasons for this ban has been elaborated to the general public and nor do I not think it will be done also in the near future . The residents and tourists alike have just have to follow the rules or bear with the consequences in the event they break that rule.
Possible reasons I can think is that pictures of women being taken by men without their knowledge and being circulated on the internet after processing the image through various editing software. But then these days almost every mobile phone have built-in cameras and they are not banned….. so the possible scenario reasoned by me can still take place !!! Well the art of photography can be bundled to the attics if you are going to Kuwait !!!

Your thoughts on this rule………………..