The Phenomenon of Informal Jawakhir in Kuwait

One of my Arab brothers asked me about the meaning of the word “jakhir,” which is currently appearing frequently in the newspapers, and here I would like to respond by saying: The concept of a “jakhir” begins when someone gathers a number of sheep in a strategic area, places a light mesh around that plot, and encloses it with a mesh fence. Since there is no one to prevent this, we see the area gradually expanding, and the owner of this place proceeds to erect a wooden fence made of reclaimed wood to enclose the area, which is also used for that purpose. Additionally, structures made of reclaimed corrugated iron—such as a gate, shelters, and housing for the workers who tend to the sheep in the jakhur itself—are installed. Since the owner of the sheepfold has acquaintances, associates, and friends, he suggests to them that they rent a section of the sheepfold to store equipment and set up a brick and scrap yard, as the rent will be much cheaper than public warehouses, In addition to renting housing to those in violation of residency laws and those claiming to have lost their passports and original nationalities, and since the area is unregulated, has no permits, and is not inspected by the authorities or security personnel, the number of sheds has proliferated, and the area has come to resemble a city—though the difference is that corrugated iron and sheet metal are the primary materials used to construct these sheds. And by the power of the Almighty, the shantytown expands to cover a larger and larger area, with branches and extensions of the shantytowns also being established in areas of Kuwait such as Al-Jahra, Al-Wafra Road, and Al-Fahaheel Market. Furthermore, the owner of the shantytown demands official land rights even though he is a lawbreaker, and he also demands adequate compensation for the removal of his shantytown, and he even requests an extension of the deadline for its removal so that he may benefit from any new laws, powerful mediation, and recent exemptions that serve his interests.