Kuwait asks public to help 'monitor' LGBT+ symbolism in latest crackdown

Kuwait wants its general public to report to authorities if they see the pride flag, as part of an ongoing campaign to crack down on any LGBTQ+ symbolism in the Gulf state.

The Arabic hashtag "Take part in monitoring" went viral on Twitter and other social media platforms as the Ministry of Trade and Industry shared a picture of a rainbow alongside the multi-coloured pride flag, telling people to recognise the difference.

#شارك_في_الرقابة pic.twitter.com/ShONk09NmA

— وزارة التجارة (@mociq8) June 19, 2022

On the right the poster reads in Arabic "the flag which violates public morals includes only six colours" in reference to the pride flag, and on the left, underneath a rainbow, reads "the normal rainbow includes seven colours."

The ministry then asks people to inform them if they see any flags or phrases which include such "immorality."

While several applauded the decision, others condemned the move.

Others made fun of it, saying any brand which depicts colours of the rainbow must be banned.

هذا ممنوع pic.twitter.com/MVjoPXS4HD

— Anwaralotaibi (@Anwaralotaibi11) June 19, 2022

انا بطرشلكم الصور والعد عليكم عاد تضبط معاكم اذا ٦ والا لا كيفكم يعتمد اذا حسبتوا لون الخلفية 🙄 pic.twitter.com/i2dLY3DO3m

— Jenny (@Princes_Night_) June 19, 2022

Other countries have taken similar decisions in the past. Saudi Arabia very recently took a decision to seize all rainbow-coloured toys in a crackdown on what they say is "homosexual colours which target the youth."

Several countries in the Middle East and North Africa have also banned Disney’s latest animation Lightyear as it shows a kissing scene between a lesbian couple.

Most Arab countries criminalise same-sex relations, and there have been reports of inhumane detention and invasive searches in many of them in recent years.