OSAKA: Kuwait’s pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan — dubbed the Visionary Lighthouse — has been attracting long daily queues since opening, thanks to its captivating blend of heritage and innovation. The pavilion showcases Kuwait as a country where tradition and progress coexist, using culture as a bridge for dialogue and understanding.

Visitors journey through Kuwait’s past, present, and future across two levels. The first floor explores the nation’s rich heritage and traditions, while the second presents its aspirations through cutting-edge technology. Four exhibition halls use immersive features and AI to bring these stories to life. At the heart of the pavilion lies The Pearl, a symbolic space honoring Kuwait’s historic pearl-diving legacy.

A video circulating on social media, showing visitors interacting with Kuwaiti desert sand inside the pavilion, has helped drive interest. “We saw the clip and came to try it ourselves — it looked fun,” said two young women waiting in line. A visiting family described the experience as magical: “The planetarium felt like lying under the stars in the desert… We hope to return.”

OSAKA: Visitors enjoy the different attractions at Kuwait’s pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan. — KUNA photos

On Friday, a Kuwaiti folklore troupe energized the stage in celebration of the visit by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. A group of five women told KUNA they loved the performance. “Kuwaiti music is so rhythmic and beautiful,” one said. “We didn’t know much about Kuwait, but the music created a sense of connection,” added another.

Minister of Information and Culture Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi said the pavilion offers a rich, multidimensional experience. “It reflects Kuwait’s future ambitions while honoring its authentic identity — a blend of cultural openness and deeply rooted values,” he told KUNA.

Expo 2025 Osaka runs from April 13 to October 13 on Yumeshima Island under the theme Designing Future Society for Our Lives, with sub-themes including Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives. The expo focuses on innovation, sustainability, and cultural exchange, with around 160 countries and nine international organizations participating. More than 28 million visitors are expected. Kuwait’s participation continues a historic legacy — it was one of just four Arab nations represented at Expo Osaka 1970, the first world expo held in Japan, which drew over 64 million visitors. — KUNA

KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah held separate meetings on Monday at Bayan Palace with several ambassadors of friendly and brotherly countries accredited to the State of Kuwait. The discussions focused on matters of mutual interest, particularly in the areas of security and humanitarian affairs.

According to a press statement issued by the General Department of Security Relations and Media at the Ministry of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef met with the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Kuwait Belinda Lewis, the Ambassador of the French Republic Olivier Gauvin, and the Ambassador of the State of Palestine Rami Tahboub.

KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah receives French Ambassador Olivier Gauvin.

Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef receives UK Ambassador Belinda Lewis.

Sheikh Fahad affirmed Kuwait’s keenness to build bridges of communication and strengthen ties with friendly and brotherly countries, praising the ambassadors’ roles and efforts in supporting and enhancing bilateral cooperation.

The statement added that the ambassadors expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior for the warm reception, reaffirming the depth of relations between their countries and Kuwait and their commitment to further developing these ties across various fields.

The meetings also addressed ways to enhance bilateral relations and discussed a range of issues of mutual concern in order to serve shared interests and boost cooperation and coordination in various sectors. — KUNA

KUWAIT: With the virtuous ten days of Dhul Hijjah now underway, conversations about good deeds—such as charity, Eid Al-Adha sacrifices, and community support— have grown louder. However, this season of giving has unfolded differently in Kuwait, following a government decision to temporarily suspend all fundraising activities.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening and how people in Kuwait are adapting.

Q: What exactly is happening with charity work in Kuwait?

A: In April 2025, Kuwait’s Ministry of Social Affairs issued a decision to temporarily suspend all fundraising activities. This came after authorities identified unauthorized websites collecting donations without proper oversight.

The ministry said the goal is to “reorganize and restructure” the charity sector, ensuring greater transparency, unified mechanisms, and compliance with governance standards, protecting Kuwait’s reputation as a trusted global humanitarian leader.

Q: Can people still donate?

A: Yes, giving hasn’t stopped, it has just become more centralized. Donations can still be made through officially sanctioned platforms, most notably the Zakat House, a government body established in 1982.

Through its projects supporting orphans, food distribution, Eid sacrifices, and more, Zakat House continues to facilitate giving both inside and outside Kuwait. Donations can be made via its website or through the government’s Sahel app.

Religious leaders are also encouraging traditional forms of charity, such as helping a struggling neighbor or family member.

Q: Why has this decision sparked mixed reactions?

A: While some Kuwaitis and residents support the move, seeing it as a necessary measure to prevent fraud and restore order in the charitable sector, others feel restricted by the limited options now available.

People who were used to donating directly to smaller organizations, such as those helping animals, sponsoring orphans, or supporting niche causes, are finding it harder to reach them.

Another group, while supportive of stricter governance, is urging the government to provide alternative mechanisms swiftly so that urgent needs are not neglected.

Q: Why is this such an emotional issue in Kuwait?

A: Charity is deeply woven into Kuwait’s social and religious fabric, it’s part of the country’s identity. Kuwait ranked first in the Arab world and seventh globally in charitable giving, according to Statista’s 2023 Global Giving Index.

Moreover, on September 9, 2014, Kuwait earned international recognition by the United Nations as a Humanitarian Center, and His Highness the Amir was honored as a Humanitarian Leader.

Institutions like the International Islamic Charitable Organization (IICO)—founded by Kuwaiti law in 1986 and headquartered in Kuwait—have long served as a symbol of the nation’s commitment to global humanitarianism. Operating across dozens of countries, the IICO reflects Kuwait’s deeply rooted values of compassion, neutrality, and service to humanity, offering aid without regard to political or sectarian divides.

Q: What has the government done to address concerns and improve the system?

A: Kuwaiti authorities are actively working to build a more resilient charitable system. A delegation from the Committee for Regulating Humanitarian and Charitable Work recently visited the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar to study their models.

These visits are part of a broader effort to strengthen Kuwait’s own framework by adopting best practices from across the GCC.

Following the visits, the committee has recommended reinstating ‘Adahi’ livestock donation projects ahead of Eid Al-Adha, along with resuming charity bank deductions for orphans. It also called for launching awareness campaigns in partnership with the Ministry of Information and KUNA to promote transparency and informed charitable giving.