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Robust security plan for husseiniyas
Interior minister leads field inspections • New safety rules for Muharram gatherings
KUWAIT: With the onset of the month of Muharram, Kuwaiti authorities have launched an intensive security and organizational campaign to safeguard religious gatherings, with senior officials visiting husseiniyas to assess field readiness. Leading the effort, First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah conducted a high-profile field tour on Friday morning, inspecting several husseiniyas and majalis to evaluate the implementation of the country’s comprehensive Muharram security plan.
According to the interior ministry, Sheikh Fahad reviewed emergency protocols, traffic and crowd management strategies, and inter-agency coordination with the Kuwait Fire Force and emergency medical services. During his visit, he praised both security personnel and husseiniya officials for their close coordination, noting that the mutual commitment “helps ensure a safe, orderly, and respectful environment for commemorating Ashura.” Sheikh Fahad also visited National Guard units assigned to Muharram security, commending their role in the broader security framework. “The readiness of our teams across all sectors is critical to this national effort,” he said.
Meanwhile, Acting Interior Ministry Undersecretary Lt Gen Ali Al-Adwani conducted his own inspection of checkpoints and operational sites around husseiniyas. He stressed the importance of adhering to the approved security plan and praised the discipline shown by field officers. “Coordination between the
ministry of interior and National Guard is essential to ensuring swift and effective responses to any incident,” he said.
Sheikh Fahad’s tours followed a series of high-level meetings with husseiniya representatives. The first, held on June 19, resulted in a set of unprecedented regulations, including relocating Muharram gatherings from traditional husseiniyas to secure public schools. “The political leadership is keen on ensuring the performance of religious rituals while taking into account the regional circumstances and current security conditions,” Sheikh Fahad said during the meeting.
A follow-up session on June 24 led to additional rules issued by a committee of husseiniya representatives. These included limiting home-based majalis to a maximum of 50 attendees, banning gatherings outside the premises, and prohibiting the use of outdoor loudspeakers. Donations and traditional Ashura meals (tabkh al-baraka) remain permitted but must follow specific safety guidelines. Sermons must avoid political messaging, and religious gatherings in mosques are required to conclude by 9 pm.
The interior ministry has been granted sole authority over all organizational matters related to Muharram, centralizing oversight to ensure consistency and security. Officials emphasized that the arrangements aim to balance public safety with freedom of worship. In a statement following the June 19 meeting, husseiniya leaders expressed appreciation for Sheikh Fahad’s approach. “We thank the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior for giving us the opportunity to meet amid these exceptional circumstances,” the statement read, reaffirming their support for efforts to protect both public safety and religious freedoms. – Agencies
Crown Prince, Starmer exchange calls • Coast Guard discusses security with UK official
KUWAIT: Kuwait and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their strong bilateral relations in a series of high-level discussions this week, covering diplomacy, regional security, and maritime cooperation. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received a telephone call on Wednesday from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to review the “distinguished and close” relations between the two countries and explore ways to further enhance them.
Prime Minister Starmer wished His Highness continued health and wellbeing, and expressed hopes for Kuwait’s ongoing progress and prosperity under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. In response, the Crown Prince thanked the Prime Minister, describing the communication as a reflection of the “deep and solid” ties between the two friendly nations. He emphasized the shared commitment to further strengthen historical relations and expand cooperation across all fields, wishing continued prosperity to the UK and its people.
According to a statement from the UK foreign affairs department, the Prime Minister said the UK would work with close allies including Kuwait to implement President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. The Prime Minister added that he felt a strong sense of responsibility that this plan delivered an end to the fighting in Gaza and a long-term pathway to peace.
His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah chairs a meeting of the the Supreme Defense Council.
In parallel developments, His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Defense Council, presided over a meeting of the council at Bayan Palace to review key regional developments and recent international affairs.
On the security front, Kuwait’s Coast Guard Director-General, Commodore Mubarak Ali Al-Sabah met with the UK’s Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren to discuss shared security interests and ways to enhance cooperation. The meeting took place at Sabah Al-Ahmad Coast Guard Base and included senior Coast Guard officials.
During the visit, Commodore Mubarak Al-Sabah highlighted the “historical depth” of Kuwait-UK relations and the ongoing development of military and security cooperation. Admiral Ahlgren was briefed on recent updates at the Coast Guard, including the new coastal monitoring system and the integration of naval drones into Kuwait’s maritime fleet. The visit underlined both countries’ shared commitment to strategic cooperation in security and maritime domains, aiming to strengthen regional stability and safeguard mutual interests. — Agencies
ALULA, Saudi Arabia: Representing His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah stressed Wednesday that Kuwait’s participation in Munich Security Conference (MSC) Leaders Meeting, reflects commitment to regional dialogue and cooperation.
In remarks to KUNA, on the sidelines of the meeting in AlUla city, Sheikh Fahad condemned Israeli aggression against Qatar and Gaza as a violation of international law, emphasizing that the assault posed a direct threat to Gulf collective security and broader regional stability, urging urgent international attention.
He noted that the meeting provided a vital platform to discuss pressing global and regional security challenges, particularly the escalating conflicts and humanitarian tragedies in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, where participants agreed sustainable security remains impossible amid ongoing Israeli aggression.
He warned of grave consequences from escalating conflicts caused by Israeli occupation’s aggression, stressing risks to Gulf stability, while noting deliberations also addressed maritime and energy security, non-proliferation, food and water security, economic challenges, and shared transnational threats facing the international community.Reaffirming Kuwait’s commitment under its current presidency of the GCC, Sheikh Fahad stressed the importance of bolstering collective security, unifying Gulf positions, and strengthening regional and international partnerships, while praising Saudi Arabia’s warm hospitality and MSC’s role in organizing this vital meeting. — KUNA
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