Failaka Island

Before I begin the story of Failaka Heritage Village, it is necessary to remind all our readers about the history of the island, and also the mission statement for the village...........Failaka Island is strategically located. The land area of the island is approximately 43 square kilometers with a minimum length of 14 kilometers and a maximum width of 6 kilometers. Failaka Island lies 20 kilometers east of Kuwait City, opposite the bay of that name, and 50 kilometers from the southernmost tip of Iraq. It is one of the most important islands of Kuwait. It is triangular with its base in the west and head in the south. The island is flat, apart from a small hill 8 meters high in the extreme western part. It is linked to Kuwait City through a submarine pipeline that provides sweet water to the island. Parallel to this are three submarine cables that provide electricy. Failaka Island also has its own source of water, but this was not sufficient as the population grew in the years prior to the Iraqi invation in August 1990, so a piple line was laid from the mainland. The island of Failaka is one of the most beautiful island of Kuwait. pronounced 'Failacha' in the local dialect, it combines the ancient history of Kuwait dating back to the early Stone Age and the modern history of Kuwait. The home of Kuwait's main archaeological site, Failaka's history goes back to the Bronze Age Dilmun civilization, which was centered in Bahrain. It may be assumed that there was at least inter-Gulf trade between 2200 and 1800 BC. The Greeks arrived in the 4th century BC in the form of a garrison sent by Nearchus, one of Alexander the Great's admirals. A small settlement existed on the island prior to this, but it was as the Greek town of Ikaros that the settlement became a real city. The greeks lived on Failaka for two centuries. Failaka had a small Greek colony from 325 to 1500 BC and was part of a maritime trade route in the Ptolomeic era. The remains of a temple can be found on Failaka Island today. Coins and seals found on the island point to Failaka remaining am important trading post with links to Iraq, Persia, the Mediterranean, the Levant, India and Africa. Its fresh water and strategic position favouring the islands development.

Greek Ruins on Failaka Island

The Mission Statement is printed on ceramic tiles and placed on the outer wall of the Village Reception building................It is shown below translated from the Arabic.

"Our heritage was the greatest achievement of our ancestors, and our fathers kept it for us, we implant this heritage in the minds of our children, our heritage is a river full of light which we take continuously to guide us to the good, to the prosperity in the future".

"We owe a lot to our great heritage, which was the reason for what we have accomplished and achieved. Since 2001, 'Masharee Al Khair Charity' has restored and renovated the Palace of the late Emir 'Sheikh Abdullah Al Salim Al Sabah' which symbolized a great meaning. His Highness 'Sheikh Jaber's' noble guidance and support mobilized us and reinforced our will to restore and renovate this great building. His financial and moral support was a magnificent motive to keep the heritage area with all its contents and its environmental surroundings, so we restored and renovated the whole area, just to keep the heritage of our ancestors and fathers, to reflect His Highnesses' wish to give the new generation an idea of this great heritage, and from its revenue, the charity is funding projects, for example; free scholarships to students, financial support to schools, purchasing medical equipment for hospitals, paying medical expenses of patients, constructing and renovating mosques".

"Hoping God to write these historic deeds, and to join the trust of His Highness our Emir, and our decent people".

Sheikh Abdullah Al Salim Al Sabah (1895 - 1965), ruled Kuwait for 15 years (1950 - 1965), a period of spectacular development and change, both human and material. His crowning achievement came when Kuwait attained independence from Great Britain in 1961. Sheikh 'Abdullah succeeded his cousin Sheikh Ahmed Al Jabir Al Sabah as the Emir of Kuwait on 25th February, 1950.

Sheikh 'Abdullah is remembered as the wise, prudent and benevolent father figure who introduced democracy and development to Kuwait.

 The Palace of Sheikh Abdullah Al Salim Al Sabah