Kuwait, July 25, 2011:  Gulf Bank has hailed the successful conclusion of the 23rd Memorial Journey for Pearl Diving. The expedition, proudly sponsored by Gulf Bank, consisted of 15 fully crewed dhows, with over 180 divers on board, sailed from Kuwait on 14th of July, and returned safely on the 23rd of July to a traditional reception and an enthusiastic welcome by families, friends and well-wishers.

The closing day ceremony, also called "Youm Al-Quffal" in Arabic, was attended by Dr. Mohamad Al-Afasy, Deputy Prime Minister for Legal Affairs and Minister of Justice and Minister of Social Affairs and Labor on behalf of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of Kuwait. The ceremony was also attended by the Under Secretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs Mohamed Al Kandari, Governor of Hawally, Retired Lieutenant General Abdullah Al-Faris, and Retired Lieutenant General, Fahad Al-Fahad, the President of the Sea Sport Club, who took the opportunity of welcoming back and honoring the young Kuwaiti divers, as well as the captains of the dhows for upholding and preserving the traditional legacy of Kuwait.

With the traditional tunes of a Kuwaiti band playing in the background, the divers showcased their spoils to the audience, including shells and, of course, many pearls.

Commenting on the return of the divers, Fawzy Al-Thunayan, General Manager of Board Affairs at Gulf Bank said: "We are extremely proud of the young Kuwaitis who have completed this year's journey.  The annual journey relives an iconic cultural aspect of our honorable heritage, and is an important symbol of Kuwaitis' loyalty to their homeland. The journey also serves as an encouragement for youth to understand and feel a part of our country's unique history and culture."

Gulf Bank believes that heritage and tradition must be preserved, and takes it upon itself to communicate these core values across its daily operations and extensive network of 54 branches. This is reflected in the Bank's corporate logo, a simple reminder of Kuwait's proud heritage and the historic journeys made by Kuwaitis in the past. The Bank has also utilized "Al Danah", meaning large pearl, as the Al Danah account campaign logo.

The journey, which is organized each year by the Committee of the Marine Heritage of the Kuwait Sea Sport Club, has Kuwaiti sailors using dhows to sail great distances away from their families and to dive for pearls in the traditional way.  The memorial journey serves to remind new Kuwaiti generations of the difficulties and challenges faced by their forefathers in earning their living, along with a message urging these generations to uphold the traditions and values their ancestors developed during that time.