Jassem Al-Kharafi

Jassem Al-Kharafi, (Arabic: جاسم محمد عبدالمحسن الخرافي), (1940 – May 21, 2015) was a Kuwaiti billionaire businessman who was the speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly from 1999 to 2011.[1] Al-Kharafi studied Business Administration at the Manchester Trade Faculty in Kuwait and was director of M. A. Kharafi & Sons before being elected to the National Assembly in 1975. He affiliated with the liberal deputies and was regarded as a pro-government liberal.[2] However, Al-Kharafi has broken with the royal family on occasion. He criticized the ruling Al-Sabah family, and in July 2006 vigorously denounced the Israeli attacks on Lebanon saying that the war would "turn us all into terrorists".[3][4]

Jassem al-Kharafi
Jassem al-Kharafi
Speaker of the Kuwait National Assembly
In office
June 20, 2012 – October 7, 2012
Preceded byAhmed al-Sadoun
Succeeded byAli al-Rashid
In office
July 17, 1999 – December 6, 2011
Preceded byAhmed al-Sadoun
Succeeded byAhmed al-Sadoun
6th Minister of Finance
In office
March 3, 1985 – June 12, 1990
Preceded byAli al-Khalifa al-Sabah
Succeeded byAli al-Khalifa al-Sabah
Personal details
Born1940
Kuwait City, Kuwait
DiedMay 21, 2015 (age 75)
NationalityKuwaiti
RelationsNasser al-Kharafi (brother)
Faiza al-Kharafi (sister)
Fawzi al-Kharafi (brother)
Marzouq al-Ghanim (nephew)
Children6
Parent(s)Mohammed al-Kharafi

Al-Kharafi's family is wealthy. His brother Nasser was listed by Forbes as one of the richest people in the world. His sister, Faiza, was rector of Kuwait University. The University of Tirana on 7 October 2011 gave him an Honoris Causa title.[5]

Early life

Jassem al-Kharafi was born in Kuwait City in 1940, the son of Mohammed Abdulmohsen al-Kharafi, the founder of M. A. Kharafi & Sons.[6]

Minister of finance

He was the Minister of Finance from 1985 to 1990.[7]

Views on Iran

On July 13, 2008, Al-Kharafi publicly accused the West of provoking Iran on the nuclear issue. In his interview with state-owned Kuwait TV, Al-Kharafi said, "What is happening is that there are provocative Western statements, and Iran responds in the same way... I believe that a matter this sensitive needs dialogue not escalation, and it shouldn't be dealt with as if Iran were one of America's states."[8]

Criticism of Human Right Committee's neglect of protocol

On July 1, 2008, Al-Kharafi criticized the assembly's human rights committee for holding a meeting with US embassy officials without asking permission from the speaker. The meeting occurred on June 30, 2008, to discuss the latest US State Department report that accorded Kuwait a tier three status on trafficking in people for its treatment of domestic helpers and foreign workers. Later, the head of the committee, Waleed Al-Tabtabai, said the meeting was held on the basis of a request by the embassy and that the committee has not "overstepped the authorities of the speaker or the foreign ministry," adding that the committee had received similar requests in the past.

The US embassy officials were reported to have refused to discuss the US decision to freeze the assets of the Revival of Islamic Heritage Society.[9]

Speaker of Kuwaiti National Assembly

Al-Kharafi was elected Speaker of the National Assembly in 1999. He served as Speaker for five terms, the most in Kuwait's history, until deciding that he would not stand for reelection in the 2012 National Assembly elections.[10]

References
  1. (in Arabic)Former Presidents of the National Assembly
  2. "العائلات". Gsu.edu. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  3. ISN Editors. "Articles / Security Watch / ISN". Ethz.ch. Retrieved 2015-11-19. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  4. "Kuwait magnate Jassem Al Kharafi dies at 75". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  5. "UT i jep "Honoris Causa" Mohammad Al-Kharaf". Gazeta Panorama Online. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  6. "Kuwaiti billioanire Jassim Al-Kharafi dies at 75". Dhow News. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  7. "وزارة المالية - دولة الكويت". www.mof.gov.kw.
  8. "Archived copy". www.iht.com. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. "Kuwait: US embassy meeting with right panel angers Khorafi - Google Search". Google.com. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  10. "الخرافي: لن أخوض الانتخابات".
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