Eid Al Adha 1437 - 2016

The day for Eid Al Adha has been declared. First Day will be on 12th September 2016.

Photo Courtesy to E-Fatwa online

On the evening of Thursday, 1st September 2016, The High Judiciary Council of Saudi Arabia convened to observe the Hilal Moon sighting. As the moon was not sighted, the next day was declared as the 30th day of that Islamic month. Therefore, the start of the Islamic month, Dhul Hijjah is to be from 3rd September 2016. Based on this information the following is the important dates:

• 3rd September 2016 - 1st Day of Dhul Hijjah 1437
• 11th September 2016 - 9th Day of Dhul Hijjah 1437 - Arafat Day
• 12th September 2016 - 10th Day of Dhul Hijjah 1437 - 1st Day of Eid Al Adha
• 13th September 2016 - 11th Day of Dhul Hijjah 1437 - 2nd Day of Eid Al Adha
• 14th September 2016 - 12th Day of Dhul Hijjah 1437 - 3rd Day of Eid Al Adha

The countries that declared similarly to Saudi Arabia are Kuwait, UAE and Turkey. The Fiqh Council of North America and European Council of Fatwa and Research also declared 12th September 2016 as the 1st Day of Eid Al Adha (10th of Zul Hijja) (Source: Saudi Arabian Press Agency, Fiqh Council)

Photo Courtesy of The Fiqh Council of North America

The greatest next topic usually after the declaration of Eid Al Adha is how many days of holidays are people going to get. So let the list begin.

• Kuwait - 9 days - 9 September 2016, Friday - 17 September 2016, Saturday
• UAE - 9 days  (government) - 9 September 2016, Friday - 17 September 2016, Saturday
• UAE - 3 days (private) - 11 September 2016, Sunday - 13 September 2016, Tuesday
• Turkey - 9 days - 10 September 2016, Saturday - 18 September 2016, Sunday

Source: Gulf Business (UAE Private), Gulf Business (UAE Goverment)

Photo Courtesy to Twitter - HH Sheikh Mohammed Al Makhtoum UAE

Kuwait's Civil Service Commission has declared in their Circular 14-2016 that official holidays observed will be on Sunday 11th, Monday 12th, Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th. Thursday 15th will be given as rest day. Official working day resumes from Sunday, 18th September 2016.

Photo Courtesy to Kuwait Civil Service Commission (CSC)

About Eid Al Adha/Bakrid/Bakr-Eid/Eid Al Thani/Qurban Bayram:

The Islamic festival of Eid Al-Adha is celebrated in the Islamic month of Zul Hijjah. The yearly pilgrimage, Hajj to Makkah Mukkaramah / The Honored City of Mecca takes place during this month. From the 8th Zul Hijjah till the 13th Zul Hijjah, variously rituals takes place which are enactment of the events that took place by Prophet Ibrahim / Abraham (A.S), his wife Bibi Hajra / Hagar, their son Prophet Ismail / Ishmael (A.S). The muslims that do not participate in the pilgrimage, Hajj celebrate Eid Al Adha on the 10th, 11th and 12th. They perform the congregational prayer on the first day morning after sunrise. After that until the end of the third day, muslims that are financially sound sacrifice an animal and share it with their family, friends and others.

The first 10 days of Zul Hijjah are given a lot of importance and emphasis by indulging in the remembrance of Allah (SWT).

Photo Courtesy to Islamic Online University

Eid Prayer times for Kuwait on 12th September 2016 at 5:45 am. (All Eid prayers are to be held in Masajed, No outdoor arrangements this year)

Photo Courtesy of Kuwait Police Department

• Fajr - 4:10 am
• Sunrise - 5:31 am
• Eid Prayers - 5:45 am
• Zohar - 11:45 am
• Asr - 3:16 pm
• Magreb - 5:58 pm
• Isha - 7:17 pm

Photo Courtesy of Kuwait Police Department
Translation: Cancellation of Outdoor Eid Prayers due to Security Concerns.

42 Emergency Medical Center will be functioning during the Eid Holidays (24 hours) across all of Kuwait - All six Governorates.

Photo Courtesy to Ministry of Health and Kuwait Police Department

Also, the estimated time for the Eid Prayer to take place is 15 minutes after Sunrise (Sunrise at 5:31 am) Therefore time is 5:45 am). The prayer consists of 2 Rakats and is accompanied by a sermon after. It is highly recommended to listen to the Sermon. Some Masjids in Kuwait start the Eid Prayer a little later around 7 am - Urdu, Tamil, Telugu and Bengali (Check with the Masjids earlier to know the exact time). The only main condition for Eid Prayers is that it takes place after Sunrise. This year, the Ministry of Awqaf & Islamic Affairs has requested most of these masajed to perform the Eid prayers earlier. Most people prefer to pray earlier in the day as they will be busy with the sacrifice ritual immediately after the prayers.

The list of temporary slaughter houses have been put up by the Kuwait Municipality. These are to support the 5 main slaughter houses in reducing the burden. The 5 main slaughter houses will be working in full capacity throughout the Eid Holidays. The 12 temporary slaughter houses are in accordance to Environment Public Authority (EPA) rules and regulations. It is highly recommended not to take photography or videos (snapchat, instagram, vine, facebook, twitter, periscope and others) at the slaughter houses. (Another source : ARAB TIMES)

Temporary Abattoirs / Slaughter House (Asimah) City Governorate
S.No.	Area	Site Location
1	Shuwaikh	Next to the Car Park of Asimah Immigration Opposite Al Khaldiya Area
2	Kaifan	Block 3, Next Afrah Boodi Hall
Temporary Abattoirs / Slaughter House Hawally Governorate
S.No.	Area	Site Location
1	Salwa	Area 5, Next to the Co-op Society
2	Zahra	Opposite Public Authority for Housing Welfare
3	Rumaithiya	Opposite to the Main Co-op Society
Temporary Abattoirs / Slaughter House Farwaniya Governorate
S.No.	Area	Site Location
1	Farwaniya	Street 106, Near to Masjid Monawar Al Monawar
2	Abdulla Al Mubarak	2nd Street, Opposite to Masjid Taiba Al Rooeh
3	Ardhiya	Block 5, Street 55, Next to KFH, Opposite Saraj Al Muneer Center
4	Ishbilya	Street 216, Block 2, Opposite Amar Bin Rabeah Primary Boys School
5	Sabah Al Nasir	Street 106, Block 4, Masjid Al Marjah
Temporary Abattoirs / Slaughter House Ahmadi Governorate
S.No.	Area	Site Location
1	Ali Al Salem (Umm Haiman)	Entry into the area from Kind Abdulaziz Expressway Next to Main Co-op Society
2	Jaber Al Ali	Entry into the area from King Fahd Expressway Next to School near Co-op Society

Photo Courtesy to Kuwait Municipality - Baladia

Kuwait Municipality prepares 12 Temporary Abattoirs / Slaughter Houses for Eid

CLICK HERE if the above video does not work

Al Israa Wal Miraaj - The Night Journey & Heavenly Ascension

Photo Courtesy to Civil Service Commission Kuwait

Thursday, 05/05/2016 is a holiday declared by the Government of Kuwait in recognition of 'Al Israa wal Miraaj' which translates to ‘The Night Journey and Heavenly Ascension’. The Islamic date on which this took place was 27th Rajab (7th month of the Lunar Calendar). This year the date corresponds to 4th May 2016 (For the Arab world). In Islam, the lunar day begins at sunset, therefore on 3th May 2016 after sunset the Islamic date 27th Rajab 1437 begins. As per the Government Decree, that any holiday during the week is shifted to the closest day of the weekend, in the above case instead of Wednesday to Thursday.

Al-Isra wa Al-Miraj is an event which took place in the life of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him). Here is a 20 minute audio narration of the event (in English language). It will give an insight and understanding about ‘Al-Isra wa Al-Miraj’ and why followers of Islam recognized this event. This event is not celebrated but remembered for its significance and also we Muslims should have a better understanding of our own religion, Islam.

CLICK HERE if the above video does not work

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

Sunday 25/01/2015 is a holiday

Three days of mourning has been declared in Kuwait following the news of demise of the Saudi Arabian King Abdulla bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. He passed away in the early hours of Friday (around 1 am). State of Kuwait declared a three day morning starting Friday, 23/01/2015 and will last up to Sunday, 25/01/2015. Consecutively, other departments and organisations have been declaring their suspension of activities for these three days. (SOURCE: CLICK HERE for the KUNA article)

Civil Service Commission (CSC) Kuwait has decided to shutdown the government ministries and departments for these three days. Therefore everyone will return to active duty starting Monday, 26/01/2015. Union of Kuwaiti Banks has also announced that they will not open on Sunday for business.

In Kuwait, as the events of Hala February is going on and many events are scheduled during January and February, Therefore some of these events have been suspended and postponed. Therefore people should inquire about the events in advance. The Organizing committee of the Fifth National Heritage Festival announced the suspension of their activities.

Circular from Civil Service Commission

Ramadan 2014 working hours

Ramadan 1435 which coincides with July 2014 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 (These take effect from Sunday, 29/06/2014):

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.

CLICK HERE to see the post about work hours on 'Indians in Kuwait'.

CLICK HERE to see the article about Ramadan work hours on 'Arab Times'.

CLICK HERE to see the post about the 'Start of Ramadan 2014'.

CLICK HERE to see the post about Last year's Ramadan 2013 working hours.

Ramadan Buffet at restaurants in Kuwait and their prices can be checked out at the 248am Blog post by Mark. CLICK HERE

Working Hours for different places in Kuwait. Also being collected and compiled by other internet users. CLICK HERE to check out Kuwait Upto Date's collection

Working hours for different places in Kuwait.

• 360 Mall Timings.
• Retail - 11 am until 3 pm.
• Retail - 8:30 pm until 1 am.
• Restaurants & Cafes - 5 pm until 2 am.
• Geant Hypermarket - 10 am until 1 am.
• Geant Hypermarket - 10 am until 2 am.  ( Last 2 days of Ramadan )
• Cinema - 9 pm until 2 am.
• Cinema - CLOSED ( Last 10 days of Ramadan )
• Entertainment - 7:30 pm - 12:30 am
• The Flight Experience - 7 pm - 12 am (midnight)
• Kout Mall Timings
• Retail - 11 am - 3 pm.
• Retail - 8:30 pm - 1 am.
• Restaurants & Cafes - 5:30 pm - 2 am.
• The Avenues Mall
• Avenues operating hours - 8 am to 2 am.
• Most stores - 10 am to 4 pm.
• Most stores - 8 pm to 1 am.
• Carrefour Hypermarket - 10 am to 2 am.

Banks across Kuwait

• Kuwait Finance House (KFH)
• From Saturday to Thursday - 10 am to 1:30 pm.
• Airport Branch - All Week - 4 am to 6 pm , 9 pm to 2:30 am.
• Gulf Bank - 10 am to 1:30 pm.

Ministry of Interior

• Trucks on the Main highways are banned during the following hours
• Sunday - Thursdays - 7:30 am to 9:30 am.
• Sunday - Thursdays - 12:30 pm to 3 pm.

Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI)

• Office Timing - Sunday to Thursday - 10 am to 2 pm
• Civil ID delivery - Sunday to Thursday - 10 am to 5:45 pm

The Scientific Center of Kuwait

• Sunday to Fridays - 9 pm to 12 am (midnight).
• Saturday - 10 am to 1 pm.
• Saturday - 9 pm to 12 am (midnight).
• Ticket Prices for Aquarium - KD 1.750
• Ticket Prices for Discovery Place - KD 1.000

Xcite Alghanim

• Saturday to Thursday - 10 am to 3 pm (All Branches)
• Saturday to Friday - 8 pm to 1 am (All Branches)
• Avenues Mall - Saturday to Friday - 10 am to 4 pm & 8 pm to 1 am.
• Marina Mall - Saturday to Friday - 10 am to 4 pm & 8 pm to 1 am.

PaintBall Kuwait

• Timings - 8:30 pm to 2 am.

Al Daman Inspection Center

• Ministry of Interior Vehicle Inspection - Sunday to Thursday - 10 am to 2 pm.
• Ministry of Interior Vehicle Inspection - Sunday to Thursday - 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm.
• Al Daman Services - Saturday to Thursday - 10 am to 6 pm.
• Al Daman Services - Saturday to Thursday - 8:30 pm to 2 am.

Al Badri Cultural Complex (Islamic Religious Books are available across many shops in multiple languages) (Hawally - Al Muthana Street and Hasan Al Basri Street) (Dar-us-salam is one of them)

• Saturday - Thursday - 10 am to 2 pm.
• Saturday - Friday - 10 pm to 12 midnight.
• For Map Location on Google Maps - CLICK HERE

Kuwait Central Blood Bank

• Sunday - Thursday - 10 am - 2 pm.
• Sunday - Thursday - 8 pm - 1 am.
• Saturday - 8 pm - 1 am.

Kuwait International Automobile Club (KT)

• Saturday - Thursday - 9:30 am - 1 pm.
• Saturday - Thursday - 9 pm - 11 pm.