HISTORY OF KKCA
The First Knanaya Catholic Association formed outside India.
Kuwait Knanaya Cultural Association is the first Knanaya Catholic Association formed outside India and is one of the pioneer active Malayalee Association in Kuwait. KKCA consist of people from a prosperous, close-knit Knanaya community, with rich cultural heritage and traditions, descendants of a small enterprising and missionary community, migrated from southern Mesopotamia to Kodungallor in Kerala in AD 345, under the wise leadership of KnaiThomman, a prominent businessman of that time. Since then the knanaya community witnessed a miraculous growth, leading to further migration across the world, including Kuwait and other Middle East Countries.
Knanaites had made their presence in Kuwait since 1949 onwards. They used to have unofficial gatheringswhich included members from Kanaya Catholics and Knanaya Jacobitesonce in every 4 months mostly at the residence of Late Mr. Joseph Madathilettu (who was also known as “Dental Joseph”).
As there was no permission from the Kuwait Government to form associations, they continued to have these unofficial gatheringsfor more than a decade.A greater demand for giving a formal name for such unofficial gatherings became paramount at the beginning of early Seventies, and accordingly they named it “Kuwait Kananya Cultural Association”, which included members from Kannaya Catholics and KnanayaJacobites and elected Mr. Joseph Madathilettu as its first President(The term “Cultural” was used to connote both Knanaya Catholics and KnanayaJacobites).
By 1980, the number of the Knanaya Catholics increased comparatively in Kuwait and there aroused a greater demand for a separate association for the Knanaya Catholics alone. Many of the Knanaya Catholics shared this interest with Mr. Baby Kurian Mullappally (A Knanaya Catholic) who was the then General Secretary of KMCA (Kuwait Malayali Catholic Association) which was formed in 1973.
In early 1984 some of the Knanaya Catholics assembled and discussed about the formation of Knanaya Catholic Association in Kuwait and formed an Ad-hoc committee who selected Mr. P.C.Mathew Poozhikunel as its President and Mr. Baby Kurian Mullappally as its Secretary. The other members in the Ad-hoc committee were Mr. Kurian Puthankalam, Mr. JosephThekkanate, Mr. Stephen Joseph Mattathil,Mr. Thomas JamesAikarathundathil, Mr. Simon Neichery, Mr. Baby Joseph,Mr. Alex Chanday Chilampathetc. In March 1984, the Ad-hoc committee conducted meeting at Mr. Joseph Thekkanadan’s residence and formed a By-law committee which drafted the By-law after a deep study of other By-laws of other associations like KMCA, KMCC etc. After the approval of the By-law by the Ad-hoc committee, the present Kuwait Knanaya Cultural Association’s (KKCA)1stGeneral Body Meeting was held on the 1st of July 1984 at Kuwait Cathedral Parish Hall (small).KKCA was officially started and installed on this day and the General Body approved and passed the first By-laws of KKCA unanimously which was attended by 112 members. Mr. P.C. Mathew Poozhikunel was elected as the first President of KKCA. The name remained as Kuwait Knanaya ‘Cultural’ Association instead of Kuwait Knanaya ‘Catholic’ Association due to the then remained restrictions by the Kuwait Government in forming religious associations.
Below mentioned are The Presidents and Secretaries of KKCA till 1990.
| Year | Presidents | Secretaries |
|---|---|---|
| 1984-85 | P.C.Mathew | Baby Kurian |
| 1985-86 | Stephen JosephMattathil | Baby Kurian |
| 1986-87 | SimonNaichery | Stephen Chennatte |
| 1987-88 | Jose Parette | Thomas James |
| 1988-89 | Thomas James | K C simon |
| 1989-90 | Jacob Thodukayil | James |
After the Iraqi invasion in 1990, Knanaites started to come back to Kuwait in November 1992 and through the efforts of many people, like Mr. KuriachanPuthenkalam (Kremenco Kurian), Simon Neichery, Jose Parettu, Thomas Pallikkara etc., KKCA was re-established by the end of 1993 but had lost all her previous records and files. Since then, the strength of association continued to grow bigger
A revised By-Law of KKCAwas presented and approved during the General Body of January 1995 held at Roudha Garden.KKCA got the approval of Indian Embassy as a Cultural Association in 1995. The Emergency relief fund was established in 1996. Mar Abraham Viruthikulangara, the late Archbishop of Nagpur visited Kuwait as the guest of KKCA in May 1997. The visit of Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolakkatt to Kuwait in 2001 was a big motivation for the association members. The first directory of KKCA Members was published in 2001. Onam was celebrated with the presence of MP Sri Francis George in 2006. Professor George Kanattu, President of Knanaya Catholic Congress visited Kuwait on 26th June 2006. His Lordship Mar Joseph Pandaraseril, the Auxiliary Bishop of Kottayam Archdiocese visited Kuwait during the Onam celebration in 2007 and released a new directory of KKCA.
The Inauguration of KKCA’s Silver Jubilee Celebration was held on 19 August 2008 with the presence of Bishop CamilloBallinand senior members.KKCA celebrated its Silver Jubilee at a spectacular ceremony held on 12th of December 2008 together with Knanaya Catholic Congress Middle East Convention (KCC-ME) on 11th, 12th& 13thof December 2008. Free Medical Camp, Symposium, KCC-ME Convention, Special thanks giving Mass at Our Lady of Arabia Church, Ahmadi, releasing of Silver Jubilee Souvenir cum Directory, Cultural Extravaganza etc. were the main attractions of the event. Several dignitaries, like the Apostolic Nuncio to Kuwait ArchbishopMounged El Hachem, Archbishop Mathew Moolakkatt, Minister Mons Joseph, MLA Thomas Chazhikadanetc. had come to grace this mega event besides representatives from various Kananaya Association from around the world, especially from the Middle East region.
In 2009, KKCA renewed its registration with the Indian Embassy Kuwait and the current Reg. No. is INDEMB/KWT/ASSN/117.His Excellency Mr. Ajay Malhotra, the Ambassador of India to Kuwait was the Chief Guest for the Onam celebrations and His Lordship Mar Joseph Pandaraseril, the Auxiliary Bishop of Kottayam Archdiocese was the Chief Guest for the Christmas and New Year celebrations of 2009. To cater to the overall development of our children, Kuwait Kanaya Children’s League (KKCL) was formed in 26th March 2010 which has become a platform for them to develop their potential talents and capabilities. Through the help of KKCA, they conduct various programs, seminars and various other personality development activities. KKCA had the privilege of having His Excellency Mr. Ajay Malhotra, the Ambassador of India to Kuwait as its Chief Guest for the Onam celebration in 2010 too.
At the beginning of 2011, KKCA re-organized its prayer groups in the model of “Koodarayogams” held in our home diocese and there were 7 Koodarayogam units in Kuwait which conducts prayers and various activities on a regular monthly basis. KKCA, celebrated the Centenary of Kottayam Archdiocese at a mega event held on 27th of May 2011. His Lordship Mar George Palliparambil, the Bishop of Miao, The Apostolic Nuncio His Grace Peter Rajic, His Lordship CamilloBallin etc. were the other dignitaries who had graced the event. KKCA’s website was launched during the public meeting and anew souvenir cum directory was released to commemorate the celebrations. A revised and elaborated bylaws of the association was approved during this general body meeting and also established the Insurance scheme for its members (Family Sureksha Scheme).In 2012 KKCA witnessed the visit of Retired Supreme Court Judge of India Mr. Cyriac Joseph, a prominent leader of the Knanaya Catholic Community.
On 3rd May 2013, KKCA conducted successfully, the First KnanayaKalolsavam at United India School, Abbassiya. A special Thanks giving Mass was celebrated exclusively for the knanaya community at the Kuwait Cathedral Church on 18th September by the Knanaya Bishop Rev. Dr. James Thoppil of Kohima Diocese as KKCA entered into its 30th Anniversary. The inauguration of the 30th Anniversary celebrations and Onam Fest 2013 was held as a mega event on 20th September 2013 at Salmiya Indian School (SIMS).His Excellency the Ambassador of India Mr. Satish C Mehta, His Lordship Bishop James Thoppil and other prominent personalities from Kuwait attended the event.
The year 2014 witnessed the merging of a section of knanaya people who remained separately with the official association of KKCA. Archbishop Mar Mathew Mootakattu was the Chief Guest for the annual program of 2014. Kuwait-KCYL (for the youths) was formed in 2015. Bishop Mar Joseph Pandarasseril was the Chief Guest for the annual program of 2015.The Second KnanayaKalolsavam and first joined knanaya convention of Knanaya Catholics and KnanayaJacobites were conducted in 2016.His Grace KuriakoseMorSeverios, late Bishop Simon Kaipuram, retired Supreme Court Judge of India Mr. Cyriac Joseph etc. were the dignitaries of the event.
In 2017 the old By-Law and all its amendments were cancelled and a new By-Law (present one) was presented and approved during the General Body Meeting held on 24th November 2017 at Indian Community School Salmiya. The Number of Koodarayogams Units were increased from 7 to 15 in par with growth of association members. Each Koodarayogam has a Convener, Joint-Convener and 2 Committee Members to lead and organize its activities. KKCA is governed by a Working Committee comprising of 73 members.
In 2018 the members of KKCA were generous enough to cancel a mega program of KKCA and to help the flood affected victims of Kerala. Bishop Mar Joseph Pandarasseril was the Chief Guest for the annual program of 2018. The year 2019 witnessed many events like 3rdKnanayaKalolsavam, Seminar for children and parents, Summer Classes, and the mega event of 35th Anniversary celebrations. In order to teach Malayalam language to all its children KKCA in 2019 launched its Malayalam mission in the name of “AksharaDeepam” in collaboration with the Kerala Government’s Malayalam Mission Program. The activities of the year 2020 were restricted due to Covid-19 Pandemic, more attentions were given in helping the people who were affected by the Covid19 Pandemic. KKCA also renewed its registration with Kuwait Indian Embassy in 2020. After recovering from the sudden shock of Covid-19 Pandemic, in 2021 KKCA re-started its most of the activities through online like monthly Koodarayogams, online classes for children, Malayalam classes (AksharaDeepan), Community classes etc. Also launched “KKCA Rocking Stars-2021”, a weekly episode program where the children are able to present their talents.
Credited with more than 2500 strong members in this tiny country, the Association’s activities are no longer limited to just 3 minimum yearly gatherings; monthly unit prayers and meetings, association’s News Letters are published regularly, art competitions, Summer classes, Community classes, Malayalam classes etc. are conducted regularly, stage cultural programs are organized, participation in inter-association activities, engaging in several community and charitable activities for the welfare of the needy and downtrodden, social welfare activities, organizing and conducting prayers with the help of local priests for various purposes, visiting the sick, visiting labor camps, conducting medical camps, special financial and other helps for the needy people, etc., have become the agenda of KKCA. Special programs for our children are organized every year during School Holidays and at different occasions.
Currently, KKCA stands out as a major Malayalee Christian Association in Kuwait, a concrete symbol of the unity and cultural identity of the Knanaya Catholics. KKCA also shines as an inspiration and model for the formation of various other Knanaya Associations throughout the world. KKCA through its activities, works hard to further strengthen the bonds of unity that already exist among its members and as well as to rejuvenate, present,sustain, preserve and pass it on to our new generations the rich cultural heritages and customs that, the community has been following since the time of our forefathersAbraham and his son Isaac and continued after the migration to India in AD 345 while upholding the Catholic Faith.