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The forgotten guide | Kuwait Times Newspaper

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By Najd W Al-Ojairi

Imagine preparing for Ramadan without knowing when the month begins. Or praying without knowing where the Qibla is. It’s hard to imagine, right? Yet, many Muslims today rely entirely on apps and pre-set calendars without understanding why Ramadan starts when it does, how the Qibla is determined, or why prayer times change. The answers to all of these questions lie in the sky. “Do they not look at the sky above them, how We have built it and adorned it, and it has no flaws?” (Surah Qaf 50:6).

Look up. The sky has always been our guide. It tells us when to fast, when to pray, and which way to turn in worship. But in an age where screens have replaced the stars, many Muslims don’t know how to read the signs above their heads.

Because Islamic rituals like Ramadan rely on celestial movements, and because the legacy of Muslim astronomers has been neglected in modern education, it’s important for every Muslim to have at least a basic understanding of astronomy. This way, we can practice our faith accurately and strengthen our connection to it.

“They ask you about the crescent moons. Say, ‘They are measurements of time for the people and for hajj.’” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:189). From the very beginning, the Quran makes it clear. The moon is not just a celestial body, it is a timekeeper for faith itself. Every prayer, every fast, every pilgrimage is tied to the movement of the sky. But how many of us actually understand it? Today, we refresh our phones, waiting for an announcement, disconnected from the very signs Allah placed above us. We trust screens more than the sky itself. It’s easy to say, “Well, I don’t need to know this because I have an app.” Sure, today you do. But what happens if the app stops working? What happens if you’re somewhere without service, without a signal, without access? Would you be able to find the Qibla without a phone? Would you be able to tell if Maghrib had truly come or if your app was just set to the wrong time zone?

It’s not about rejecting technology, it’s about understanding what it’s based on. We should be using it as a tool, not as a replacement for knowledge. Islam teaches us to seek understanding, not just to follow orders without question. It’s not just about astronomy, it’s about agency. It’s about truly knowing your faith beyond just checking your phone for a notification.

Dr Saleh Al-Ojairi, the first Kuwaiti astronomer, understood this better than anyone. In 1938, he laid the foundation for what would become the most trusted calendar in Kuwait, the Ojairi Calendar. But his work wasn’t just about creating a schedule, it was about preserving the connection between Islam and the cosmos.

Through years of observation and research, he developed a scientifically accurate method for determining lunar months, prayer times, and astronomical events. His calculations are so precise that Kuwait still depends on them. In fact, the official Kuwaiti lunar calendar used for Ramadan, Eid, and daily prayer schedules is still based on his work, even after his passing. This is proof that astronomy is still relevant to Islam today.

Dr Saleh Al-Ojairi was a beacon of light, not just an astronomer. He dedicated his life to making sure Muslims would never have to rely on chance to find their way, pray, or fast. He established the first observatory in Kuwait and left behind knowledge that is as bright as the stars he studied. However, knowledge is only useful if we decide to use it to our advantage. The sky, the calculations, the history — we have it all, but we’ve grown too detached to look up. When Saleh Al-Ojairi left this world, he didn’t truly disappear. His work lives on, just like the stars whose light continues to shine even after they’re gone. So, will we follow his light or will we keep living in the dark?

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Kuwait Commerce Min.: Protecting industrial system is Nat’l responsibility

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 KUWAIT: Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Chairman of the Public Authority for Industry (PAI) Khalifa Al-Ajeel said on Monday that protecting the commercial and industrial system is a “national responsibility that requires concerted efforts.”

Minister Al-Ajeel emphasized in a statement to KUNA following an extensive inspection campaign in the south Amghara scrap yard, to “firmly deal with all violations and encroachments in accordance with legal frameworks where no one is above the law.”

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Al-Ajeel confirmed the continuation of inspection campaigns as well until the desired goals are reached, foremost being is restoring order and discipline to the area and removing all violations and encroachments.

He affirmed the ministry and the PAI’s commitment to cooperating with relevant authorities to continue these campaigns to ensure a safe and organized industrial and commercial environment.

The campaign resulted in the seizure of several violations and closure of several non-compliant units in preparation for taking necessary legal action against their exploiters.

Participating in the campaign was General Fire Force (KFF) Chief Major General Talal Al-Roumi, along with several executive leaders from the PAI. — KUNA

 

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Human Rights Committee session begins with focus on Gaza, regional challenges

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CAIRO: The 56th regular session of the Arab Permanent Committee for Human Rights commenced on Monday with the participation of Kuwait and representatives from Arab states concerned with human rights affairs. In his opening address, Ahmed Maghari, supervisor of the Human Rights Department at the League of Arab States, underscored the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling it a stark indicator of the region’s human rights reality. “We cannot speak of the state of human rights without acknowledging the catastrophic conditions faced by our brothers in Gaza, where securing the most basic necessities has become a matter of survival,” he said. Maghari described the ongoing Zionist aggression in Gaza as a profound moral and humanitarian challenge, noting that the Palestinian people continue to endure daily suffering under constant bombardment, displacement and destruction. He lamented the international community’s continued inaction in the face of clear violations of international law and human rights norms. “The occupying power persists in defying international legitimacy and the decisions of the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the International Court of Justice,” he said.

Held at a time of mounting regional tensions, the session comes amid escalating challenges that directly affect fundamental human rights. Maghari highlighted the Committee’s historic role since its establishment in 1968 in developing the Arab human rights framework both legally and practically, while also fostering cooperation with regional and international partners. He expressed hope that the session would yield effective recommendations to help confront the pressing challenges in the region. He pointed to the rise of conflicts and violence globally, along with the resulting serious human rights violations, as major concerns.

Emerging issues such as the intersection of human rights with climate change, artificial intelligence, and the spread of alien ideologies that undermine human dignity were also noted. “In light of these challenges, we must reinforce our solidarity and collective action to enhance peace, stability, and the security of our societies,” Maghari added. The two-day session, chaired by Ambassador Talal Al-Mutairi, Chairman of the Arab Permanent Committee for Human Rights, will review the General Secretariat’s report on the implementation of previous recommendations up to the 55th session.

Discussions will also focus on Zionist violations in occupied Arab territories, the plight of Arab prisoners and detainees in Zionist prisons, and the issue of the bodies of Palestinian and Arab martyrs held in so-called “numbered cemeteries.” Other agenda items include the Arab Charter on Human Rights and preparations for Arab Human Rights Day, which will be observed on March 16, 2026. Kuwait is represented at the meeting by a delegation led by Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah.— KUNA

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Crown Prince receives Egyptian Deputy PM

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KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received on Tuesday at Bayan Palace the Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport and Industry, Lieutenant General Kamel Abdulhadi Al-Wazir, and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of their official visit to the country. The meeting was attended by Kuwait’s Minister of Public Works Dr Noura Al-Mashaan and Egypt’s Ambassador to Kuwait Osama Shaltout.– KUNA photos

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