Kuwait has been ruled by the AL-SABAH dynasty since the 18th century. The threat of Ottoman invasion in 1899 prompted Amir Mubarak AL-SABAH to seek protection from Britain, ceding foreign and defense responsibility to Britain until 1961, when the country attained its independence. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91. The AL-SABAH family returned to power in 1991 and established one of the most independent legislatures in the Arab World. The country witnessed the historic election in 2009 of four women to its National Assembly. Amid the 2010-11 uprisings and protests across the Arab world, stateless Arabs, known as bidoon, staged small protests in early 2011 demanding citizenship, jobs, and other benefits available to Kuwaiti nationals. Youth activist groups' repeated rallies in 2011 for the dismissal of a prime minister seen as being corrupt, ultimately led to his resignation in late 2011. Demonstrations renewed in late 2012 in response to an Amiri decree amending the electoral law. The opposition, led by a coalition of Sunni Islamists, tribalists, some liberals, and myriad youth groups, largely boycotted legislative elections in 2012 and 2013, which ushered in a legislature more amenable to the government's agenda. However, the opposition, expressing strong opposition to the government’s fiscal reforms, participated in the November 2016 National Assembly and won almost half of the positions. Since coming to power in 2006, the Amir has dissolved the National Assembly on seven occasions (the Constitutional Court annulled the Assembly in June 2012 and again in June 2013) and shuffled the cabinet over a dozen times, usually citing political stagnation and gridlock between the legislature and the government.
Fascinating Facts
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Sandstorms, dust storms, and cloudbursts are common weather phenomena. Sandstorms and dust storms can occur any time of the year, but are most common between March and August. Cloudbursts can bring sudden, heavy rain and are most common between October and April.
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Expatriates make up about 70% of the population, making Kuwaiti citizens a minority group in their country.
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Kuwait has theaters and soap operas that are popular internationally, which has given the country the nickname the “Hollywood of the Gulf.”
Religion and Ethnic Groups
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Islam 73.99% (the official religion of Kuwait is Islam), Christianity 18.24%, Hinduism 7.57%, no religion 0.2%
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Most citizens are Muslim, with about 60%–65% Sunni and 35%–40% Shia.
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The population includes Kuwaiti (30.4%), other Arab (27.4%), Asian (40.3%), African (1%), and other, including European, North American, South American, and Australian (0.9%).
Greetings
- Greetings, particularly in public, should be between members of the same sex.
- As a sign of respect, in a group setting elders should be greeted first.
- A traditional greeting includes shaking hands and, between two close male friends or family members, kissing on the cheek.
- It’s customary to ask about the person’s health, their family, and their work when greeting.
General Social Etiquette
- Although Kuwait has embraced some aspects of western culture, it largely remains as a country with conservative traditions and values. Kuwaiti people are welcoming to foreigners, as long as cultural norms and customs are respected.
- Men and women typically do not socialize in the same room. The practice of diwāniyyah (regular gathering of men) is common and will usually take place in a separate room or tent where men will talk, eat, and play games.
- During Ramadan, visitors to Kuwait should not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum before sunset in public, even if they do not observe the holy month.
- When invited to someone’s home, it is considered polite to bring a small gift, such as chocolates. However, if a man will be giving a gift to a woman, he should say that the gift is from a female he’s related to (wife, sister, mother, etc.). The host will not open the gift as soon as it’s received.
- Conservative dress is important when visiting someone’s home. If the host is not wearing shoes, you should remove your shoes, too.
Eating
- If someone offers you food or drink, it’s considered rude to turn it down.
- Alcohol is not part of meals, and should not be given as a gift, since it is illegal.
- Only eat with your right hand.
- Guests are usually served delicacies. You should eat any food offered; however, be prepared for it to be part of the animal you don’t usually eat.
- Guests will also typically be served a hot tea and coffee, accompanied by sweets, nuts, and dates. Shake your cup three times, if you don’t want a refill.
- When you’re finished eating, leave some food on your plate. If your plate is clean, you’ll be served another helping.
- A meal is not over until the host stands, which will not happen until the eldest man at the table is done eating.
Getting Around
The road system in Kuwait is well-developed. There are no trains and public transportation options are limited to buses and taxis. The metropolitan area is laid out in a conical, grid-like pattern, so getting around is easy if you know where you’re going.
Road signs are in Arabic and English, but signs are not posted on many streets. Traffic is a large problem.
Travel by bus is inexpensive, and the routes are extensive thanks to two state-owned bus companies. The routes cover most of the heavily populated areas. However, the bus system is designed more for locals. You may need to take a short walk to any attractions from the bus stops. Buses come about every 10 minutes and are typically safe and reliable. The front seats are reserved for women.
Taxis are a popular form for travel, especially for expatriates who rely on taxis instead of buying their own car. If you get to know a driver, you can contact them directly to arrange a ride. Fares are usually reasonable and are agreed upon before the ride begins. Taxis do not use meters to determine fares.
Car rental is also an option, and gas prices are inexpensive. Many cars include powerful air conditioning and a heavy-duty transmission.
Transportation booking apps (similar to Uber) are also a good option. The common options include Q8 Taxi, which uses local taxis; Careem, which is most similar to Uber and is good for rides to the airport; and Grand Limo, which is a VIP experience.
Key Phrases
Hello/Hi: Marhaba, Sallam, or Halla
Good morning: Sabah alkhyair (you reply – sabah'annoor)
Good afternoon: Masa'ah alkhyair (you reply – masa'annoor)
Goodnight: Layla sa e'eda/tisba alkhayr
Goodbye: Masalama
Welcome: Ahlen/ahlan
How are you?: Female: Kayf halich/Shlonich? Male: Kayf halik/Shlonic?
Fine, good thanks: Zain, shukran
I’m fine or I’m good: ana zenna (f)/ ana zain (m)
Not good/not fine: Mozina (f)/mozin (m)
Come on let's go: Yalla emshy (f)/yalla ems (m)
Quickly/hurry up: Serra'aa
Slowly: Shuway shuway
Sorry: Assif
Go: rohay(f)/roh (m)
Wait: Lah-za/lahdha
Help me: Saadni
Excuse me: Law samaht
What does that mean? Yani eh?
Where are you all going? Ento wen betrohon?
How many hours? Cham sa'a?
I am waiting for you: Ana ga'id thathker enti (f)/enta (m)
You will eat with us: Enti (f)/enta (m) taakil maa ahna
You, what are you doing? Enti (f)/enta (m), shino ga'id sawi?
Come here: Ta'alle (f)/taal (m) henna
Go to the shop: Rohay (f)/roh (m) il jameya
Where is the nearest shop? Wen al agraab jameya?
Come to our house/home: Ta'alle (f)/ta’al (m) betna
I am hungry: Ana yoan
I am thirsty: Ana achan
I am not hungry: Ana mo yoan/joan
Do you speak English? Enti tat kallam Inglisiya?
No, I don't know English: La, ana maaraaf Inglisiya
I only know Arabic or I know Arabic only: Ana aaraf Arabiya bis
Do you speak Arabic? Enti tat kallam Arabiya?
No, I know a little only: La, ana araf shuwaya bes
We only know English: Ahna araf Inglisiya bes
What time is it? Sa-a kam?
Go right here: Kush yamin min henna
Straight ahead: Alla tool
In front: Jeddam
To the right: Alla yameen
To the left: Alla shimel/alla Yasser
Here: Henna
Behind/at the back: Min warra