Connect with us

Latest News

Crypto miners in Kuwait exploit lax laws, cheap power

Published

on

KUWAIT: As Kuwait seeks to ease pressure on the grid before the start of a sweltering summer, authorities are cracking down on cryptocurrency miners, who are accused of being a “major” cause of a power crisis that has led to blackouts. OPEC member Kuwait is grappling with a severe power crisis driven by population growth, urban expansion, rising temperatures and delayed maintenance at some plants.

Authorities started a “wide-ranging” security operation late April, targeting homes used for illegal cryptocurrency mining. Crypto mining activities “constitute an unlawful exploitation of electrical power … and may cause outages affecting residential, commercial and service areas, posing a direct threat to public safety”, the interior ministry said in a statement last month.

Electricity in the country is extremely cheap and the government has urged residents not to waste it as the need to keep cool amid sweltering summer temperatures heaps pressure on a strained electrical grid. Cryptocurrency mining, although a major cause of the power crisis, is not the only factor, a source at the electricity ministry told Reuters.

Kuwait’s crackdown has targeted homes in Wafra, Kuwait’s southernmost area, where the electricity ministry has previously said around 100 homes were used for mining, some of them consuming up to 20 times normal electricity levels. Energy consumption in Wafra fell by 55 percent following the operation, the electricity ministry said in a statement last Saturday.

Kuwait has banned cryptocurrency trading but has no laws specifically addressing mining. “They saw government subsidies, saw the absence of oversight, and saw no laws in place, so they exploited the situation to their benefit,” said Saud Al-Zaid, who formerly served as executive board member of the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority in Kuwait.

Mining for crypto uses vast amounts of computing power and has prompted authorities from Kosovo to Russia to curb its use to prevent electricity shortages. The miners tend to base themselves where power is cheap, and often in colder climes where it is easier to cool their servers. Researchers at the University of Cambridge estimated that in 2022, Kuwait was responsible for just 0.05 percent of the world’s bitcoin mining at the time.

While there is no good data on how much power crypto miners use in Kuwait, “it only takes a very small share of the total bitcoin mining network to have significant impact on the relatively small total electricity consumption of Kuwait,” said Alex de Vries-Gao, founder of Digiconomist, a research project tracking crypto’s energy use.

Kuwait’s central bank has warned against investing in crypto. The country’s approach to the sector differs to that of some of its neighbors, which have embraced the industry. Dubai last week played host to a large crypto event, with Eric Trump, US President Donald Trump’s son, among those in attendance. — Reuters

Latest News

Exit permit now mandatory for expat workers

Published

on

By

KUWAIT: A decision mandating expatriates working in the private sector to obtain an exit permit with the prior approval of their employers comes into effect on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Employees need to apply through the Sahel app or the Public Authority of Manpower’s website. The employer must then approve the request online before the authority issues the permit. The decision applies to private sector employees who have residency under article 18. Those who have article 19 residency – self-sponsored – are not required to obtain the exit permit.

Continue Reading

Latest News

410 students benefit from Educational Care Bank project

Published

on

By

KUWAIT: Al-Safa Charitable Society announced that 410 students across various educational stages have benefited from the Educational Care Bank project for the 2024-2025 academic year. The initiative, implemented in collaboration with the General Secretariat of Endowments, provided a total of KD 100,000 (approximately $330,000) in educational support within Kuwait. Chairman of Al-Safa’s Board of Directors Mohammad Al-Shaya said in a press statement on Monday that the project reflects a shared commitment to supporting future generations by creating an educational environment free from financial obstacles. He emphasized that the initiative also aims to alleviate the financial burden faced by low-income families amid ongoing economic challenges.

Al-Shaya praised the General Secretariat of Endowments for its continued sponsorship of impactful and innovative projects that serve the community, particularly those focused on education. He noted that the Secretariat’s support for this program underscores its strong belief in education as a cornerstone for societal advancement and sustainable development. He added that Al-Safa Charitable Society, through this partnership, seeks to nurture a knowledgeable and responsible generation capable of contributing meaningfully to national development. The project, he explained, targets students who face difficulty in paying tuition fees, reaffirming the association’s belief in the right to education for all—without discrimination or financial barriers. — KUNA

Continue Reading

Latest News

97,000 reverts and counting: IPC’s role in spreading Islam

Published

on

By

KUWAIT: Although it has been three months since the end of Ramadan, Islamic da’wah in Kuwait is far from limited to the holy month. Through organizations like the Islam Presentation Committee (IPC) — one of the country’s largest and oldest da’wah institutions — outreach efforts continue year-round. Since its founding in 1987, IPC has helped more than 97,000 people embrace Islam, including 2,702 in the past year alone. With over 3.4 million expatriates living in Kuwait — many from diverse religious backgrounds — the country often becomes more than just a place of work.

For many, it becomes the first space where they encounter Islam in a meaningful way. IPC’s efforts extend beyond traditional settings like mosques and religious centers. Thanks to the organization’s efforts, this Ramadan Kuwait did experience a significant increase in conversions to Islam, marking the highest number of conversions in the past seven years. Approximately 730 individuals from various nationalities embraced Islam by the 29th day of Ramadan.

This achievement is attributed to the efforts of 78 male and female preachers and the success of the “Change Their Lives” campaign, which included lectures and the distribution of preaching materials across the country. Much of IPC’s outreach focuses on laborers and domestic workers, meeting them in everyday environments such as markets, salons, workplaces, hospitals, farms, labor inspection offices, and even deportation centers.

Following initial outreach, new reverts begin a structured learning journey starting with a “Basic Islam” course that covers essential beliefs and practices. As they progress, students can enroll in advanced courses on Quranic interpretation, Tajweed, Islamic jurisprudence, Prophetic biography, and Islamic history — all offered free of charge.

Available in 14 languages

Arabic language classes are also available for non-native speakers, including non-Muslims who wish to understand Islamic texts or culture. IPC also supports lifelong Muslims, recognizing that many — especially those from non-Arabic-speaking countries — may never have had the chance to study Islam formally. “We don’t just teach the students — we create a community for them,” said Haya Alawadhi, head of IPC’s Salmiya branch. “A good circle of friends, emotional support from teachers and staff, and even financial assistance when needed.”

Many new Muslims face personal challenges — including separation from family and friends. IPC responds by fostering a family-like environment where instructors and fellow students offer compassion, inclusion and support. After carefully assessing individual needs, IPC also provides financial aid and job placement assistance to ease the transition. With lectures and materials available in 14 languages, the organization ensures accessibility for newcomers of all backgrounds. In 2024 alone, the committee recorded 8,455 students from 39 nationalities enrolled in its programs.

“We don’t call each other by titles”

“We don’t call each other by titles,” Alawadhi added. “We say ‘sister’ and ‘brother.’ You might find an American sitting next to an Asian or a European, and everyone is treated the same. If someone walks in with bias, it fades once they become part of this place.” To further its reach, IPC has expanded into digital outreach, offering social media campaigns, interactive online lectures, and Islamic content to engage younger audiences and remote learners.

IPC’s da’wah efforts are not limited to blue-collar communities. The organization also engages diplomats, professionals, and high-profile guests, presenting them with traditional Kuwaiti gift boxes that include a translated Quran, a tourism brochure, and Islamic educational materials. In 2024 alone, IPC organized around 881 training courses. Alawadhi also shared that IPC trains new Muslims to become future Islamic educators and preachers. “Some of our most active preachers today were once IPC students who converted to Islam,” she added. IPC runs around 14 branches and centers that are spread across Kuwait’s governorates.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025 SKUWAIT.COM .