Kuwait Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs

Kuwait Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs is a cabinet department of the executive branch of the government of Kuwait[1][2][3][4] dedicated to spreading Islamic culture. Specifically, it seeks to spread awareness and expand the influence of Islamic faith, Islamic history, and Islamic sciences.[5]

Activities

The ministry handles all religious affairs in Kuwait, including regulating all places of worship in the country,[6] overseeing religious groups and activities,[7][8] issuing fatwas through its Fatwa Committee,[9] and organizing and regulating the annual Hajj for Qatari residents.[10][11][12][13][14]

The ministry actively promotes Islamic faith. It promotes memorization and recitation of the Quran.[15][16][17][18] It funds the building of mosques both within[19][20][21][22][23] and outside of Kuwait.[24][25][lower-alpha 1] The ministry includes the Zakat Fund, which collects Zakat al-Fitr.[28]

The Kuwait Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs funds a variety of other activities, including promoting Islamic science and technology,[25] humanitarian aid after natural disasters around the world,[29] and Kuwait Islamic Arts Center.[30]

History

In 2005 and 2006, the ministry funded studies of Western perceptions of Islam and Islamic perceptions of Western culture, [31][32] and sought to improve the relationship between these cultures.[7]

In 2008 and 2009, the ministry sponsored the development of a Muslim Seven Year Action Plan on Climate Change.[33][34][35]

In 2015, the ministry undertook a purge of members of the Muslim Brotherhood from its staff.[36][lower-alpha 2]

In 2016, the ministry made an administrative decision limiting the appointment of foreigners in Kuwait government positions.[37]

Under the leadership of Yaacoub Abdulmohsen Al-Sanaa, the ministry has sought to promote moderation against Islamic extremism.[38][39][lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4]

In 2017, the ministry laid off 2,032 employees in order to reduce its expenses. The cuts were especially significant in the office of the Assistant Undersecretary for Quran and Islamic Studies, which lost the vast majority of its staff.[40]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ See also Kuwait connections to UK mosques[26] and similar work by the Qatari Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs[27]
  2. ↑ See Hadas
  3. ↑ See also "Religious co-habitation brings together all communities in Kuwait". Kuwait Times. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  4. ↑ Though see the United States' 2009 assessment of this initiative.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Government Cabinet Members". The Embassy of Kuwait in Bern, Switzerland. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  2. ↑ "His Highness Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah". Government of Kuwait. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  3. ↑ Pike, John (2012). "Kuwait Ministries February 2012". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  4. ↑ "List of ministers 'almost ready'". Kuwait Times. 2 August 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  5. ↑ Ministry of Awqaf & Islamic Affairs. "About Us". Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  6. ↑ Garcia, Ben (23 March 2017). "Getting to know the Christians in Kuwait". Kuwait Times. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  7. 1 2 Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (United States) (September 13, 2011). "July-December, 2010 International Religious Freedom Report". United States Department of State. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  8. 1 2 Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (United States) (October 26, 2009). "International Religious Freedom Report 2009". United States Department of State. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  9. ↑ "Kuwait issues fatwas against Bitcoin trading". zawya.com. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  10. ↑ "Before Hajj, Saudi imam decries inter-Muslim conflict". al Jazeera. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  11. ↑ "Qatar announces date for online Haj registration". The Peninsula Qatar. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  12. ↑ "'Ministry unable to adjust costs of Hajj, Umrah trips' - Survey shows Kuwait's prices are cheapest - ARAB TIMES - KUWAIT NEWS". arabtimesonline.com. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  13. ↑ "'No change' in Qatar's quota for Haj this year". Gulf Times. 29 May 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  14. ↑ "Ministry announce hajj registration deadlines". Kuwait Times. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  15. ↑ "Free summer course for kids to learn Holy Quran; today last day to apply". The Peninsula Qatar. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  16. ↑ https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2692725&language=en
  17. ↑ "Holy Quran contest winners honoured". The Peninsula Qatar. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  18. ↑ "Winners of the Holy Quran reciting contest honoured". The Peninsula Qatar. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  19. ↑ "Ministry announces new mosque projects". Gulf Times. 29 May 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  20. ↑ "Ministry of Awqaf opens new mosque in Al Ghanim Al Ateeq". The Peninsula Qatar. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  21. ↑ "Ministry of Awqaf opens two new mosques". The Peninsula Qatar. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  22. ↑ "Ministry of Awqaf opens new mosque in Umm Al Saneem". The Peninsula Qatar. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  23. ↑ "New mosque opens in New Al Rayyan". The Peninsula Qatar. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  24. ↑ "Largest mosque in Scandinavia built by Qatar opens". The Peninsula Qatar. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  25. 1 2 "Kuwait continues offering humanitarian aid to several countries". reliefweb.int. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  26. ↑ "GMBDW In The Media: Qatar Charity Funds New UK Mosque With Muslim Brotherhood Ties". The Global Muslim Brotherhood Daily Watch. 5 June 2017.
  27. ↑ "Sweden Just Opened The Largest Mosque in Scandinavia; But They Don't Want You To Know About It". defendevropa.org. 17 May 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  28. ↑ "Zakat Fund urges Muslims to pay Zakat Al Fitr". The Peninsula Qatar. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  29. ↑ https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2639031&language=en
  30. ↑ https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2690901&language=en
  31. ↑ Yalonis, Chris (13 June 2006). "Cross Cultural Perceptions between Arab Muslims and the West". Communique Partners.
  32. ↑ Yalonis, Chris (2005). "Western Perception of Islam and Muslims". Communique Partners / Kuwait Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.
  33. ↑ http://www.arcworld.org/downloads/Muslim-7YP.pdf
  34. ↑ http://www.arcworld.org/downloads/m7yap%20dec%20july%2009.pdf
  35. ↑ Azhary, Abdul Shaheed (14 July 2009). "World Muslim Scholars' contribution to environment". Imam Shafi Research Forum. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  36. ↑ Diwan, Kristin Smith (10 February 2015). "The future of the Muslim Brotherhood in the Gulf". Retrieved 21 March 2018 – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  37. ↑ "Restrictions on hiring expats in Awqaf ministry - Kuwait Times". Kuwait Times. 4 December 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  38. ↑ https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2424926&language=en
  39. ↑ https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2697609&language=en
  40. ↑ "Awqaf ministry to lay off 2,032 employees in massive budget cut - Kuwait Times". Kuwait Times. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2018.


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