Skip linksSkip to Content
play
Live
Navigation menu
  • News
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • US & Canada
    • Latin America
    • Europe
    • Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
  • Explained
  • Opinion
  • Sport
  • Video
    • Features
    • Economy
    • Human Rights
    • Climate Crisis
    • Investigations
    • Interactives
    • In Pictures
    • Science & Technology
    • Podcasts
    • Travel
play
Live

In Pictures

Gallery

People ‘without’

Kuwait’s ‘Bidoon’ have been stripped of rights and treated as second-class citizens.

Three men from the Bidoon community sit at a dewaniya, or gathering that is an indispensable feature of a Kuwaiti man(***)s social life.
News image
By Greg Constantine
Published On 19 Jun 201319 Jun 2013

Share

facebooktwitterwhatsappcopylink

Save

Some 40,000 Bidoon - which means "without" - live in the slum of Taimaa, which is located 40 minutes outside of Kuwait City. 
Advertisement
After working as a police officer for 18 years, this 60-year-old man was fired from his job in 1991. Prior to 1985, the Bidoon enjoyed many of the same rights as other Kuwaitis, including working for the government. 
Bidoon gather for a demonstration in the Taimaa area, 45 minutes outside of Kuwait City to demonstrate for their right to equality and citizenship.
Bidoon demonstrations over the past two years have been met with violent crackdowns by Kuwaiti authorities. 
Kuwaiti security forces used tear gas and rubber bullets to stop the protesters. About 30 people were arrested. Several were injured and hospitalised.
A Bidoon man sells vegetables out of his truck in the al-Jahra area of Kuwait. Unable to obtain a license, his business is illegal and subject to confiscation and fines.
Advertisement
This 54-year-old man was highly decorated in the Kuwait Air Force but was fired in 1991. Since then he has not been able to hold regular employment. 
A 30-year-old Bidoon man earns a living by driving his truck around as an illegal taxi. 
Bidoon women sell clothing at a market outside of Kuwait City, but cannot obtain business licenses.
As the older generation passes away, Bidoon homes are often destroyed to make way for other developments.
Graffiti adorns a wall in the Taimaa area where a large population of Bidoon lives. It reads: "Til when are we Bidoon [without]?", and "I will break your heart".


  • About

    • About Us
    • Code of Ethics
    • Terms and Conditions
    • EU/EEA Regulatory Notice
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Cookie Preferences
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Sitemap
    • Work for us
  • Connect

    • Contact Us
    • User Accounts Help
    • Advertise with us
    • Stay Connected
    • Newsletters
    • Channel Finder
    • TV Schedule
    • Podcasts
    • Submit a Tip
    • Paid Partner Content
  • Our Channels

    • Al Jazeera Arabic
    • Al Jazeera English
    • Al Jazeera Investigative Unit
    • Al Jazeera Mubasher
    • Al Jazeera Documentary
    • Al Jazeera Balkans
    • AJ+
  • Our Network

    • Al Jazeera Centre for Studies
    • Al Jazeera Media Institute
    • Learn Arabic
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights
    • Al Jazeera Forum
    • Al Jazeera Hotel Partners

Follow Al Jazeera English:

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • instagram-colored-outline
  • rss
Al Jazeera Media Network logo
© 2026 Al Jazeera Media Network

You might also like:

live israeli attacks kill 76 no aid relief yet for... | thailand readies homecoming for stolen ancient sta... | russia ukraine war list of key events day 1185... | german woman arrested after mass stabbing at hambu... | vietnam orders ban on popular messaging app... | need answers will sri lankas tamils find war closu... | live israeli attacks kill 85 in gaza as starvation... | florida court orders ex mexican security chief to ...