Sulaibiya (Arabic: الصليبية) or Al-Sulaibiya is a suburban neighbourhood in Al Jahra Governorate, Kuwait. It covers an area of roughly 12 square kilometres (4.6 sq mi) and has a population of around 38,000 residents. Established in 1980, the area initially served as a camp for Bedoon (stateless) people. In 1982, it was developed into a residential area.[1]
The suburb has become famous for being a haven for Bedoon residents, a marginalized group that has been caught in legal limbo, unable to gain citizenship while facing discrimination and lack of access to employment, education, and social services available to Kuwaiti nationals.[2]
Sulaibiya is home to two industrial areas containing several warehouses and concrete factories. Moreover, it accommodates several agricultural and dairy farms, and the residential area consisting of 10 blocks.[3][4][5][6]
A plan to relocate the neighbourhood for future development is underway and will involve transferring all residents of Sulaibiya to the in-development site of Al-Naayem.[7]
On 31 July 2012, Sulaibiya set a new record for the highest temperature in Asia, reaching 53.6 °C (128.5 °F).[8]
Infrastructure
Wastewater treatment plant
As of 2015, the General Electric-built waste-water treatment plant in the district waste the world's largest membrane technology-based water treatment facility handling 600,000 cubic meters of water a day.[9]
Tire graveyard
Video of fire fighting during the 2020 fire by the Kuwait Fire Force
The industrial area contains a waste disposal area that includes the world's largest tire dump.[10] It has been under development since at least 2010.[11] In April 2021, a fire was reported at the site.[12] In October 2020 a major tire fire in the graveyard was visible from space, burning 25,000 square meters of the deposit or about 1 million tires.[13] A previous fire happened in the site during 2012.[13] Both fires caused severe air pollution, and tire fires release large amount of heavy metals and oils that can contaminate the surrounding environment.[14] Following the fire, the Kuwait Environment Public Authority said it would dispose of the tires.[14]
^Salah, Alaa (14 December 2019). "منطقة الصليبية في مدينة الجهراء" [Sulaibiya neighbourhood in the city of Jahra]. OpenSooq (in Arabic). Retrieved 8 March 2024.
