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Crown Prince pushes forward Kuwait’s strategic growth

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KUWAIT: Kuwait celebrates Monday the first anniversary of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah’s appointment as Crown Prince, continuing the nation’s developmental journey and strengthening its regional and global standing.

His Highness was born in 1953 and earned a degree in Political Science in 1977. He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1978 and later served as Kuwait’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and the country’s representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation from 1995 to 1998. In 1998, he was appointed Head of the National Security Bureau with ministerial rank. Over the years, he held several key ministerial roles, including Minister of Social Affairs (2006–2007), Minister of Information (2008–2009), and Minister of Foreign Affairs starting in 2011. In 2012, he was named Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, a position he held through 2017. On November 19, 2019, he was appointed Prime Minister and went on to form four successive governments between 2019 and 2021.

His Highness’ journey as Crown Prince began with the issuance of an Amiri order on June 1, 2024, in which His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah nominated him as Crown Prince. The following day, June 2, an Amiri decree was issued appointing him to the role, receiving widespread public approval.

In a speech on the occasion, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled pledged to His Highness the Amir: “I vow with resolve and determination to remain true to my oath, loyal to my duty, your steadfast supporter and sincere advisor, devoted to serving my country, safeguarding its interests, ensuring its security and stability, upholding its values, authenticity, and unity, striving for its advancement, and committed to the principles of our Islamic faith and our national values.”

On the same day, the Cabinet held a special session chaired by His Highness the PM Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, during which council ministers pledged allegiance to His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled as Crown Prince. His Highness then took the constitutional oath before the Cabinet.

Throughout the past year, His Highness closely followed up on development plans, attended national events, inaugurated new facilities, welcomed Arab and international officials, honored distinguished national figures, and conducted regional and international tours.

Key highlights of the year:

June 11, 2024: Visited Saudi Arabia and held talks with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman on bilateral relations and regional developments.

September 19, 2024: Led Kuwait’s delegation to the 79th UN General Assembly in New York, where he also represented the Amir at the Summit of the Future.

October 2, 2024: Headed Kuwait’s delegation to the third Asian Cooperation Dialogue Summit in Doha, highlighting the role of sports diplomacy and calling for collective action on major regional challenges including Palestine and Lebanon.

November 4, 2024: Represented the Amir at the high-level conference “Strengthening International Cooperation in Counter-Terrorism and Building Agile Border Security Mechanisms – The Kuwait Phase of the Dushanbe Process.”

November 11–12, 2024: Led Kuwait’s delegation at the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh and then traveled to Azerbaijan to head the delegation at the COP29 Global Climate Summit.

March 4, 2025: Headed Kuwait’s delegation to the extraordinary Arab Summit in Cairo.

May 25, 2025: Chaired Kuwait’s delegation at the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

May 28–31, 2025: Visited Japan, where he held high-level meetings culminating in an agreement to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership and signed several agreements. He also visited Expo 2025 in Osaka, exploring the pavilions of Kuwait, Japan and the GCC.

Arab and international relations

His Highness’ career has seen pivotal moments in shaping Kuwait’s diplomacy over the past two decades and addressing major national and international challenges. He has consistently supported GCC unity and cooperation across all sectors.

In Arab forums, His Highness emphasized Kuwait’s commitment to Arab integration and solidarity, particularly supporting the Palestinian cause and advocating for international resolutions regarding it.

He has maintained Kuwait’s firm foreign policy based on mutual respect, non-interference, international legitimacy, and peaceful conflict resolution in accordance with the UN Charter. — KUNA

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410 students benefit from Educational Care Bank project

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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

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

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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.

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Oil Ministry highlights nuclear radiation risks, underscores preventive measures

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KUWAIT: The Ministry of Oil affirmed that nuclear radiation remains one of the most serious health and environmental challenges of the modern era, emphasizing Kuwait’s strong commitment to addressing this issue through an integrated regulatory framework, well-structured emergency plans, and advanced scientific monitoring networks covering various regions of the country. These efforts aim to ensure the highest standards of environmental and public health safety.

This statement was made by Sheikha Tamader Khaled Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Director of Public Relations and Media at the Ministry of Oil, during a health awareness seminar held Monday under the title “Risks and Damages Resulting from Nuclear Reactors and Their Impact on Human Health.” The seminar is part of the ministry’s ongoing initiative to raise community awareness and promote a culture of prevention among oil sector employees.

Sheikha Tamader lauded the efforts of governmental and technical agencies in enhancing public understanding of nuclear radiation dangers and preventive measures. She highlighted the role of such scientific forums in fostering a sustainable preventive culture across both public and private sectors. She added that the Ministry of Oil, in collaboration with relevant authorities, is actively conducting educational programs and specialized workshops to raise awareness about nuclear reactor risks and radiation leakage, while developing national infrastructure for preparedness and response to radiological and nuclear emergencies.

She stressed that prevention begins with awareness, and investing in education, training, and readiness is key to protecting people and the environment. She called for continued support of scientific and awareness initiatives and the strengthening of institutional cooperation among state ministries and regulatory bodies to guarantee community safety and environmental sustainability. In a related address, Salem Al-Azmi, Head of Radiology at the Radiation Protection Department of the Ministry of Health, reviewed the health risks associated with nuclear reactors, their operating mechanisms, and the preventive measures adopted locally and internationally.

Al-Azmi explained that nuclear reactors are among the world’s most important sources of energy due to their ability to generate large amounts of electricity efficiently, but they carry serious health and environmental risks if not managed under strict controls. He described nuclear reactors as power plants that produce electricity through nuclear fission — a process where an atom’s nucleus splits into smaller nuclei, releasing thermal energy that heats a coolant, usually water, to create steam. The steam then drives turbines connected to electric generators.

He noted that while nuclear power plants operate similarly to conventional power plants that burn coal, oil, or natural gas, the primary heat source in nuclear plants is atomic fission. He pointed out that nuclear energy has comparatively low environmental impact on Earth and natural resources.

Al-Azmi outlined the potential environmental hazards in the event of a radioactive leak, such as contamination of air, water, and soil with substances like cesium-137 and iodine-131. However, he reassured that these materials naturally degrade over time and that effective environmental rehabilitation and mitigation plans are in place. He highlighted that potential effects on wildlife and agriculture, including temporary declines in crop and animal quality, can be managed and mitigated through safety protocols and environmental restoration.

Regarding preventive actions, Al-Azmi advised sheltering indoors in well-sealed spaces, which can reduce radiation exposure by half, using closed basements or airtight shelters, and wearing protective masks for the nose and mouth. He also presented information on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear reactor, noting that it is solely dedicated to electricity generation with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts. The reactor operates under full international supervision, is non-military, does not produce nuclear weapons, and is located approximately 280 kilometers east of Kuwait. — KUNA

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