Kuwait: A controversial document went viral on social media on Sunday, sparking widespread controversy and division between supporters and opponents of the document. After several candidates running in the Sept 29 parliamentary elections signed a document titled “The document of values”, in which they pledged to support Islamic laws, the hashtags #Kandahar_document and #values_document, trended on Twitter, with thousands of citizens commenting on this topic.

The document calls to apply Islamic laws, including enforcing a modest dress code, banning tattoos, and gender segregation at schools, swimming pools and gyms, in addition to punishing anyone insulting the companions of the Prophet (PBUH) and setting up a hotline to complain about any act against Islamic law.

Supporters see the values document as representing the conservative Kuwaiti society. Nami Herab tweeted: “I read the document and did not see anything wrong. They want to make us enjoy the good and forbid sins, and this represents the core of our true Islamic religion. Kuwaiti society is conservative; they have the right to regulate life and behavior in accordance with that. We do not want Kandahar and but also not El-Haram Street!”

Ali Al-Safar tweeted: “Anyone who opposes such a reform is a shortsighted conspirator as he/she becomes an accomplice to the bioterrorism which threatens our national security through misbehaviors such as tattoos, suspicious spas and so on that spread infectious fatal diseases.” As for Lulwa, the values document will lead to better generations for Kuwait, saying: “I am open-minded, but if something is in the interest of our children, why not? I don’t mean we must approve intolerance and punishment, just behaviors people should abide by, like tattoos. People with such behaviors should not be allowed to be out in public.”

Others could not digest the idea of making members of parliament guardians of the people of Kuwait. Amina Al-Wahib tweeted: “The people who created this are clearly uneducated religious extremists that want to turn Kuwait into Kandahar.” Hessah Al-Hasan commented: “Frankly, I just realized that fighting corruption begins with fighting tattoos, while co-education at the university is the reason for the deterioration in the level of education. I never knew that yoga is the reason for the decline in medical services.” She added sarcastically: “So canceling concerts will solve the housing problem? Seriously, well done! It is clear they are concerned with the interests and demands of the people,”.

Hazem Al-Sairafi, who has a tattoo, asked a supporter what his fate will be. “What is the fate of a person with tattoos? Be flogged with 100 lashes or retribution? I want to know my destiny.” Sara pointed out contradictions. “I wish they would add in their document to ban travel to any country that does not apply sharia, because it is not reasonable to impose such rules and at the end of the summer you spend your time in Europe, where alcohol is served and naked people are present.” She added: “They want to ban entering any cafe that plays songs, so they should ban cinemas as well, and ban smoking too, because it is forbidden by Sharia.”

People were not the only ones to support or reject the idea of the “values document”. Secretary-General of the Democratic Forum Abdul Hadi Al-Sanafi affirmed his rejection of this document, some of whose clauses go against public and private freedoms confirmed by the Kuwaiti constitution, stressing the need to confront it in the event of any attempt to approve it in the National Assembly. He said he has great confidence in the Kuwaiti voter and their awareness to choose better and vote for those who have a good electoral program and ideas in the interest of the country and citizens.

Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Women’s Cultural and Social Society released a statement rejecting the document, saying that Kuwait is a civil and constitutional state where personal rights and freedoms are protected by the constitution.