KUWAIT: In a country as diverse as Kuwait, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs ensures that everyone, regardless of language, can fully engage with the teachings of Islam throughout the year. But, with Ramadan here, it’s the perfect time to connect even more with the spirit of this holy month. Whether you’re new to Islam, a long-time Muslim, or just curious, there are countless ways to deepen your understanding and embrace the season. As Mohamed Ali, Administration Assistant at the Ministry’s Foreign Relations Department explained that the ministry oversees several initiatives that help introduce and deepen the understanding of Islam among non-Arabic speakers.

Iftar gatherings

Hundreds of expatriates participate in communal iftar gatherings in Ramadan, where they receive lectures on fasting, its etiquette, and its spiritual significance before breaking their fast. The ministry ensures these iftars serve as both a community-building and educational opportunity. These iftar gatherings, according to Ali, are held at key mosques across Kuwait, including the Grand Mosque, Masjid Abdul Aziz Al-Uthman in Qibla every Saturday, and Masjid Latifa Al-Nimsh in Salmiya throughout the month, among others.

Sermons in 73 Mosques

The ministry supervises Friday sermons in 73 mosques across Kuwait all year long in 11 languages, including Urdu, Tamil, Sinhalese, Malayalam, Telugu, Bengali, English, Chinese, Turkish, Filipino and Indonesian. These multilingual sermons serve as a great opportunity for non-Arab speakers to grasp the religious messages being shared, especially during the month of Ramadan.

Collaboration with 7 Islamic organizations

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs also partners with around seven Islamic organizations focused on reaching non-Arabic speakers. These groups offer lectures, distribute educational materials in the streets, and run digital campaigns to further spread Islamic teachings. The ministry supports these efforts by helping organize cultural and religious forums, securing event permits, and arranging visits from scholars outside Kuwait. They also provide allowances to preachers, ensuring that these efforts remain sustainable.

Among these organizations, the Islamic Presentation Committee (IPC) is a major partner, working to introduce Islam to non-Muslims and guide new converts. Another important partner is the Islamic Center of Kuwait (ICK), which offers a variety of lectures, courses, and community activities that cater to the expatriate population. Additionally, the Grand Mosque of Kuwait runs its own intensive Da’wah (Islamic outreach) activities, offering specialized lectures, workshops, and educational programs for both visitors and non-Arabic-speaking communities.

Religious education

The ministry facilitates religious lessons in various languages in cooperation with mosques and community centers, covering topics such as Islamic creed, Quranic recitation, jurisprudence, and Arabic language learning. These lessons take place in mosques and community centers, ensuring accessibility for different nationalities. Serving similar services like IPC and ICK, examples of these centers are Tawasul, Al-Bayan Association for Introducing Islam, Alblagh Almubin and Salsabeel Charity Society.