Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Ramadan 1436 - 2015

The ninth month of the Islamic calender year, the month of Ramadan is held highly by the Muslims across the world. This month which is given great importance as the Noble and Glorious Quran was first revealed during this month to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). The importance of this event was more reinforced by having this month as the 'Month of fasting'. Also to reinforce a Muslim's Taqwa (God Consciousness), during this month one has to be generous and charitable. Also on a lighter note, it is said that all the divine books revealed to all the messengers were first revealed during the month of Ramadan.(Go Figure).

The Month of Ramadan in Kuwait starts on Thursday 18/06/2015. Since the previous Islamic month of Shaban completed 30 days, then chances of having Ramadan for 29 days is high. In any case, always any decision for the start of any Islamic month can only be made based on the sighting of the Hilal moon (Nascent Crescent of the moon). Any other information made in advance is at best tentative. Wishing everyone a Ramadan Kareem, hoping for all of us to better ourselves as humans. Below is the Islamic prayer timings for each of the days of Ramadan.
Photo Courtesy to Kuwait's Ministry of Information
Photo Courtesy to Shifa Al Jazeera Medical Center
Muslims fast from Dawn to Sunset.
  • Dawn : the first appearance of light in the sky before sunrise.
  • Sunset : the time in the evening when the sun disappears.
Below shows how long the fast will be for people from different countries for Ramadan 1436. In Kuwait the average fasting time is 15:30 hours (based on my average calculation - not official) CLICK HERE to read the article by huffington post.
Photo Courtesy to The Huffington Post (also to the data from IslamicFinder.org)
Fasting Times in the Arab Countries are as below:
Photo Courtesy to Instagram 'CrimeKWW'. For English translation the countries are listed below.

  • Jordan 15:58 hours
  • Palestine 15:53 hours
  • Libya 16:11 hours
  • Tunisia 16:33 hours
  • Algeria 16:44 hours
  • Morocco 16:10 hours
  • Egypt 15:51 hours
  • United Arab Emirate 15:11 hours
  • Qatar 15:15 hours
  • Bahrain 15:21 hours
  • Kuwait 15:40 hours
  • Iraq 16:05 hours
  • Syria 16:10 hours
  • Lebanon 16:10 hours
  • Somalia 13:29 hours
  • Djibouti 14:07 hours
  • Mauratania 14:35 hours
  • Sudan 14:31 hours
  • Saudia Arabia 15:12 hours
  • Yemen 14:22 hours
  • Oman 15:06 hours
Photo Courtesy to Al Arabiya English News. CLICK HERE for the article

CLICK HERE for my post on 'Ramadan 2015 working hours in Kuwait'.

CLICK HERE for my last year's post 'Ramadan 1435 - 2014'.
CLICK HERE for my last year's post 'Ramadan 2014 working hours'.
CLICK HERE for my last year's post 'Masjids in Ramadan 2014'.

CLICK HERE for my post 'Ramadan 1434 - 2013'.

CLICK HERE for the post by 'Desert Girl on Kuwait' about her 'Ramadan Advice' (The post is old but she just renewed it).
CLICK HERE for the post by 'Sala6a' about 'Ramadan Advice'.

Friday, June 5, 2015

Noon Outdoor Work Hour Ban

Summer's in Kuwait are getting extreme over the years and for past few years, the government of Kuwait has been passing a Noon Outdoor Work Hour Ban. It usually starts on June 1 until August 31. The outdoor work hour ban starts from 11 am and remains till 4 pm, during which no worker should be found doing outdoor work like construction work, cleaning crews in the open, the agricultural work force and animal husbandry (or shepherds), any kind of outdoor maintenance work, etc.. 

The above ban is imposed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MoSAL). The fines previously given to people or companies found to be breaking the above ban was KD 500 per person. In the previous years, companies have been fined. We are hoping that more than fines, peoples lives will be safe during those peak temperature hours when the direct sunlight is quiet unbearable.

CLICK HERE for the article in Kuwait Times.
CLICK HERE for the article in Indians in Kuwait.
CLICK HERE for the article in Construction Week online.

Ramadan 2015 Working Hours

RAMADAN 1436 UPDATE: Kuwait announces Thursday, 18/06/2015 as First day of Ramadan 1436. (CLICK HERE for Source)

RAMADAN 1436 UPDATE: Kuwait's Crescent Sighting Authority is meeting on TUESDAY (16/06/2015) to confirm whether Wednesday or Thursday will be 1st of Ramadan based on the sighting of the Moon.

Ramadan 1436 which coincides with June-July 2015 leads to some changes in Kuwait. The working hours of employees for government sector reduces from 35 hours a week to 25 hours a week. On the other hand, for private firms, it is reduced from 48 hours to 36 hours a week. Basically, 2 hours is removed from each day. This is the privilege that the government of Kuwait provides for the people during the month of Ramadan. The official timings for the government sectors are provided by the Assistant Undersecretary for Diwan Affairs & Manpower at the Civil Service Commission (CSC) which are as follows(Based on Cirular no 1-2015 dated 03/06/2015):

The following government bodies are functioning from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm.

  • Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  • Public Authority for Youth and Sports.
  • Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.
  • Environment Public Authority.
  • Ministry of Justice
  • Public Authority for Industry.
  • Ministry of Public Works.
  • Public Authority of Minor Affairs.
  • Ministry of Higher Education.
  • Kuwait General Administration of Customs.
  • Ministry of Communications.
  • Kuwait Fire Service Directorate.
  • Ministry of Education.
  • Credit and Savings Bank.
  • Ministry of Information.
  • Zakat House.
  • Public Authority for Housing Welfare.
  • Kuwait Municipality.
  • Kuwait Ports Authority.
  • Civil Service Commission.
  • Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources.
  • National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters.

Rest of the government bodies will work from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm.


Words of caution, the work pace in the month of Ramadan in Kuwait slow down. Also, for the above mentioned times, people will be taking break during the Noon prayers (Zuhr) which is around 11:50 am. So one will not find people sitting at the tables between 11:50 am till around 12:30 pm. So one should keep this in mind as one's patience will be tested.
Photo Courtesy to Civil Service Commission
CLICK HERE for previous post of Ramadan 2014 Working hours - Timings in Kuwait.
CLICK HERE for precious post of Ramadan 1435-2014.


Kuwait Bank timings for Ramadan have been declared. The working hours for the employees are 9:30 am to 2 pm. While Customer / Client services will be 10 am to 1 pm. This was issued by the Kuwait Banking Association which was received from Central Bank of Kuwait. (CLICK HERE for the article in Indians in Kuwait & CLICK HERE for the article in Kuwait Times)

The Scientific Center of Kuwait has announced its Ramadan Timings (DAILY).
  • Before Iftar - 4 pm to 6 pm.
  • After Iftar - 9 pm - 12 midnight.
Ticket Prices: 
  • Kuwait Aquarium KD 2.500
  • Discovery Place KD 1.500
  • IMAX (2D) KD 2.500
  • IMAX (3D) KD 3.000
The Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) working hours (South Surra):
  • Morning 10 am till 2:30 pm. (For counters and Card Delivery)
  • Afternoon 2:30 pm till 6 pm. (For Card Delivery only)
20 Seven Fitness Studio
  • Morning 4 pm - 6:30 pm
  • Afternoon 8:30 pm - 11 pm
360 Mall
  • Retail 11 am - 3 pm and 8:30 pm - 1 am
  • Restaurants & Cafe 5 pm - 2 am
  • Entertainment 8:30 pm - 1:30 am
  • Cinemas 9 pm - 3 am (Last 10 days - CLOSED)
  • Fitness First - Weekdays 10 am - 1 am ; Weekends 12 pm - 1 am
  • Geant Hypermarket 10 am to 1 am (Last 2 days : 10 am - 2 am)
  • International Mills : 11 am - 4:30 pm and 8 pm - 1 am
Blink Store Hawally
  • Saturday - Thursday 10 am - 4 pm ; 8 pm - 12:30 am
  • Friday - 8 pm - 12:30 am
Blue Delivery
  • Ordering Hours : 1 pm - 6 pm
  • Delivery Hours : 11 am - 6 pm ; 9 pm - 1 am
Brown Diamond
  • Commercial Towers - Zahra Co-op - Andalus Co-op : 1 pm - 12 midnight
  • Yamouk Co-op - Saveco : 2 pm - 11 pm
Bumper2Bumper Alfa Station Centers
  • Saturday - Thursday 9:30 am - 1 pm
  • Saturday - Thursday 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm
Bumper2Bumper Centers 
  • Saturday to Wednesday 9:30 am - 1 pm
  • Saturday to Wednesday 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm
  • Thursday 9:30 am to 3 pm
Touristic Enterprises Co (TEC)
  • Entertainment City : All Week Long 8:30 pm - 1:30 am
  • Touristic Park & Fountain Park : 8 pm - 1 am
  • Ice Skating Rink 10:30 am - 4 pm and 8:30 pm - 12 midnight
Eureka Showroom
  • Saturday to Thursday - 10 am - 4:30 pm and 8:30 pm - 1 am
  • Friday - 1 pm - 4:30 pm and 8:30 pm - 1 am
  • Al Shuwaikh and Al Fahaheel Branch Evening Time 8:30 pm to 12:30 am
Avenues Mall
  • IKEA Exhibit 10:30 am - 3:30 and 8 pm - 1 am & Restaurants 6:30 pm - 12 midnight
  • International Mill : 10 am - 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm - 1:30 am
  • Kidzania : 6 pm till 12 Midnight
International Mill
  • Salhiya : 10:30 am - 3 pm and 8:30 pm - 12:30 am
  • Salmiya : 9 am - 5:30 pm and 8 pm - 12:30 am
  • Avenues : 10 am - 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm - 1:30 am
  • 360 Mall & Dajeej : 11 am - 4:30 pm and 8 pm - 1 am
  • Co-op : 8:30 am - 6 pm and 8:30 pm - 1 am
  • Geant Hypermarket : 8 am - 1 am (closed during Iftar)
Q8 Balance
  • Boards & Boats - Saturday to Thursday : 8 pm till 11 pm
Quality Net
  • Head office (Al Khaleejia Complex) : 10 am - 3 pm and 9 pm - 11:30 pm (Sunday to Thursday)
  • Sahari Mall - Jahra : 10 am - 1 pm and 9 pm - 12 midnight (Saturday to Thursday)
Waves Delivery
  • 12:30 pm - 6 pm
  • 9:30 pm - 12 midnight
X-cite (All Branches)
  • Saturday to Thursday : 10 am - 4 pm and 8 pm - 1 am
  • Friday : 8 pm - 1 am
  • Marina Mall (Saturday to Thursday): 11 am - 4 pm & 8:30 pm - 1 am
  • Marina Mall (Friday): 8 pm - 1 am
  • Friday (Fahaheel, Avenues, Sahari & Liwan-Fintas) : 10 am - 4 pm & 8 pm - 1 am
AAB World
  • Shamiya  Co-op , Symphony Salmiya and Salhiya : 9 am - 3:30 pm & 8 pm - 12 midnight.
  • CityCenter Salmiya : 10 am - 4 pm & 8 pm - 12:30 am.

The following are the times posted by Mark on 248am blog (CLICK HERE for the post)

Banks: 10AM to 1:30PM (Airport 24 hours)
Government: 9:30AM to 2PM
360 Mall: 11AM to 3PM & 8:30PM to 1AM
Avenues Mall: 10AM to 4 & 8PM to 1AM
Gate Mall: 10AM to 3PM & 8PM to 12AM
Marina Mall: 11AM to 4PM & 8:30PM to 1AM
Salhiya: 10:30AM to 2:30PM & 8:30PM – 12:30AM
Souq Sharq: 10AM to 4PM & 8:30PM to 1AM

Cinescape - Kuwait National Cinema Company
  • First 20 days of Ramadan : 9 pm - 2 am (Across All Screens - All Locations)
  • Last 10 days of Ramadan - CLOSED (7th July until 16th July)
Kuwait Central Blood Bank (Jabriya - Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospital Campus opposite Hawally)
  • BLOOD Donation : Sunday - Thursday 10 am - 2 pm and 9 pm - 1:30 am
  • PLATELET Donation : Sunday - Thursday 8:30 am - 1 pm and 9 pm - 1:30 am
  • BLOOD & PLATELET Donation Saturday - 9 pm - 1:30 am
  • Friday closed
Kuwait Central Blood Bank ( Jahra and Adan branch)
  • Sunday - Thursday 9 pm - 1:30 am
BALADIA (Kuwait Municipality) announces timing for Burials across different cemetery/graveyard (Based on Circular no 3-2015)
  • Morning - 10 am
  • Afternoon - After Asr Prayers (3:20 pm)
  • Night - 10 pm
Photo Courtesy to Baladia/Kuwait Municipality