Ramadan 1439 - 2018

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar 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 Hilal Moon Sighting committee will convene on Tuesday evening, 15/05/2018 to decide whether 1st day of Ramadan starts on 16th or the 17th.

UPDATE (15/05/2018)
Kuwait: Shariah Vision Authority (Hilal Moon Sighting Committee) has declared Thursday as the 1st Day of Ramadan 2018 (CLICK HERE)
Saudi Arabia: 1st Day of Ramadan will be 17/05/2018 Thursday (CLICK HERE)
UAE: 1st Day of Ramadan will be 17/05/2018 Thursday (CLICK HERE)
Bahrain
Qatar:  1st Day of Ramadan will be 17/05/2018 Thursday (CLICK HERE)
Oman:1st Day of Ramadan will be 17/05/2018 Thursday (CLICK HERE)
North America
Australia: 1st Day of Ramadan will be 17/05/2018 Thursday (CLICK HERE)

The Month of Ramadan in Kuwait starts either on 16/05/2018 (Wednesday) or 17/05/2018 (Thursday). Since the previous Islamic month of Shaban completes 29 or 30 days is the deciding factor. This year the chances of Shaban being 30 days is high due to the previous month of Rajab being 29 and also based on the scientific astronomical calculations (ASTRONOMICAL not ASTROLOGICAL). 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 (as is the need of the hour).

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.

In Kuwait the decision factor for announcing about the sighting of the nascent moon is done by the Hilal moon sighting committee comprising of Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and other key members.

CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 2018 Working Hours.
CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 2017 Working Hours.
CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 2016 Working Hours.
CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 2015 Working Hours.
CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 2014 Working Hours.
CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 2013 Working Hours.

CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 1438 - 2017.
CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 1437 - 2016 & Eid
CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 1436 - 2015.
CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 1435 - 2014.
CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Masjids in Ramadan 2014.
CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 1434 - 2013.

Ramadan 2018 - 1439 Working hours

The Hilal Moon Sighting committee will convene on Tuesday evening, 15/05/2018 to decide whether 1st day of Ramadan starts on 16th or the 17th.

Ramadan 1439 which coincides with May-June 2018 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 Civil Services at the Civil Service Commission (CSC) which are as follows (Based on Circular no 1-2018 dated 02/05/2018):

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

1. Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
2. Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.
3. Ministry of Justice.
4. Ministry of Public Works.
5. Ministry of Higher Education.
6. Ministry of State for Service Affairs (Previously Ministry of Communication)
7. Ministry of Education.
8. Ministry of Information.
9. Public Authority for Housing Welfare.
10. Kuwaiti Public Institutions
11. Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources.
12. Public Authority for Youth.
13. Public Authority for Sports.
14. Environment Public Authority.
15. Public Authority for Industry.
16. Public Authority of Minor Affairs.
17. Kuwait General Administration of Customs.
18. Kuwait Fire Service Directorate.
19. Kuwait Credit Bank.
20. Zakat House.
21. Kuwait Municipality.
22. Civil Service Commission.
23. National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters.
24. Ministry of State for Youth Affairs.

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 slows down. Also, for the above mentioned times, people will be taking break during the Noon prayers (Zuhr/Dhur) which is around 11:45 am. So one will not find people sitting at the tables between 11:50 am till around 12:15 pm. So one should keep this in mind as one's patience will be tested.

Courtesy of Civil Service Commission

CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 2017 Working Hours.
CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 2016 Working Hours.
CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 2015 Working Hours.
CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 2014 Working Hours.
CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 2013 Working Hours.


CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 1439 - 2018.

CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 1438 - 2017.
CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 1437 - 2016 & Eid
CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 1436 - 2015.
CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 1435 - 2014.
CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Masjids in Ramadan 2014.
CLICK HERE for previous year's post of Ramadan 1434 - 2013.

Ramadan 1439 Prayer Timings

Ramadan 1439 Prayer Timings - Ministry of Information

Kuwait's love for ice and snow

Kuwait's love for cold, snow and ice has always been there, with people making plans to visit Canada, Europe, East Europe (Bosnia, Georgia, etc) and conquering the amazing mountains of Everest, K2 and others. Kuwait had its 1st Outdoor Ice Skating Winter Carnival in 2016 between January 17th and February 13th which showed a lot of  promise with the people attending and spending their Winter and Hala February festival season with the ice skating in the open, restaurants in the oudoors, fun for kids, winter theme, shopping and other attractions. It was called Winter Land (http://www.winterlandkw.com/)

This year 2018 we have many events.

SNOW TOWN

#SnowTownKw

Date: 1st February 2018 until 10th March 2018

Time: 10 am to 10 pm

Location: Al-Shaheed Park, Phase 2

Pricing: 2 KD Entrance

Pricing: 6 KD All Day Pass

(Tickets can be bought at event)

Website: http://snowtownkw.com/

Facebook: SnowTownKW (CLICK HERE)

Instagram: SnowTown_KW (CLICK HERE)

Twitter: SnowTownKW (CLICK HERE)

Snapchat: SnowTownKW

(Organised by COZMO)

Attractions at the event:

1. Topiary

2. Polar Bear

3. Green Musicians

4. English Man

5. Colorful Musicians

6. Clockman Statue

7. Aerial Heliosphere

8. Mirror Family

9. 3D Painter

10. LED Parade

11. Ice Skating

12. Invisible Man

13. Ice Sculpture

ICE VILLAGE EXPO

#IceVillageExpo

Date: 15th - 16th - 17th February 2018

Location: Kuwait International Fairground Outside Parking H3

Instagram: icevillageexpo (CLICK HERE)

Attractions: Outdoor Ice Skating Rink

Over 90 different stalls.

WINTER FESTIVAL

Kidzania

#KidZaniaWinterFestival

#KidZaniaKuwait

Date: 14th December 2017 - 28th February 2018

Time: 9 am to 9 pm (Weekdays) except Thursday till 11 pm

Time: 10 am to 11 pm (Weekends)

Location: KidZania, Level 1, The Avenues Mall

Contact: 22283180

Ticket :

Children ages under 2 years = Free

Children ages between 2-3 = KD 8

Children ages between 4-12 = KD 12

Adults = KD 8

Visitors with disabilities - KD 6

Website: http://kuwait.kidzania.com/en-kw

Instagram: kidzaniakuwait (CLICK HERE)

Facebook: KidZaniaKuwait (CLICK HERE)

Twitter: KidZaniaKuwait (CLICK HERE)

Enjoy the Ultimate Winter Wonderland at KidZania with more ice & Chills! Snowfall, skating rink, ice cave and live performances.

ICE SKATING RINK

Touristic Enterprises Company

#IceSkatingKuwait #TecQ8

Date: Throughout the year

Time: 8:30 am to 10 pm

Location: Kuwait City, Al Soor Street, Mirqab

Entry Ticket Pricing for 1.5 hours :

- KD 3 for per person

- KD 2 for per person for group (of 50 or more)

- KD 0.5 for the child's maid

Website: http://www.kuwaittourism.com/IceSkatingRink.html

Instagram: TecQ8 (CLICK HERE)

Facebook: TecQ8 (CLICK HERE)

Twitter: TecQ8 (CLICK HERE)

Youtube: TecQ8 (CLICK HERE)

The Ice Skating Rink which contains 2 ice rinks was established in March 1980 as part of the Green Fence area in Kuwait City. The Olympic size rink which is 1800 square meters of ice and an arena that can accommodate 1600 viewers. A smaller rink of 800 square meters in size with a 600 seating arena provides ample requirements for people.

PROMENADE ICE

#PromenadeIceKW

Date: Throughout the year

Time: 10 am to 10 pm (Saturday-Wednesday)

Time: 10 am to 11 pm (Thursday-Friday)

Contact: 22277138

Prices per sessions (One hour sessions):

 Session Pass + Skating buddy = KD 8 for 1 hour

Session Pass - KD 6 for 1 hour

Skating buddy = KD 2 for 1 hour

Socks = KD 1

Gloves = KD 1

Location: Level 1, Promenade Mall, Hawally

Website: https://promenadeicekw.com/

Instagram: promenadeicekw (CLICK HERE)

Twitter: promenadeicekw (CLICK HERE)

Snapchat: promenadeicekw

Youtube: CLICK HERE

Enjoy the skating experience on ice surface of 548 square meter and a LED illuminated ice cave with a length of 226 square meters. Promenade ice offers public skating sessions, ice skating lessons and ice rink bookings such as birthday parties, school trips and other events.

BELOW ZER0°

#BelowZeroKW

Date: Throughout the year

Time: 10 am to 11 pm

One hour sessions

Contact: 22277138

Location: Level M, Jahra Mall, Jahra Industrial Area

Instagram: belowzerokw (CLICK HERE)

Facebook: belowzerokw (CLICK HERE)

Instagram: jahra_mall (CLICK HERE)

MINUS 11

#minus_11 #minus11

Restaurant & Cafe (The largest Ice lounge in Kuwait)

Date: Throughout the year

Time: 10 am to 11 pm

Contact: 22968166

Location: M1, Tijaria Commercial Tower, Al Soor Street, Kuwait City

Instagram: minus11.kuw (CLICK HERE)

Snapchat: minus11.kuw

Twitter: Minus11_k (CLICK HERE)

The Golden Age Circus

Touristic Enterprises Company of Kuwait brings Cirque Madona Bouglione's 'The Golden Age Circus' to the people of Kuwait starting from 20/01/2018 (January 2018). It features more than a dozen of the world's finest circus performance acts. (All images courtesy to TEC Kuwait)

CLICK HERE if the above video does not work

WEBSITE: https://circus.kuwaittourism.com

CLICK HERE

Date: 20/01/2018 until 31/03/2018

Time: Weekdays 1 show (6:30 pm-8:30 pm)

Time: Weekend 2 shows (3 pm - 5 pm and 7 pm - 9 pm)

Venue: Entertainment City, Doha, Kuwait

(Transportation available from Ice skating rink, Al Soor Street, Mirqab, Kuwait City)
The timings for the buses as below (arrive 15 mins before departure time)
Weekdays
Departing Ice Skating Rink at 5 pm
Return Trip departing Circus at 9 pm
Weekends
For 3 pm Show
Departing Ice Skating Rink at 1:30 pm
Return Trip departing Circus at 5:30 pm
For 7 pm Show
Departing Ice Skating Rink at 5:30 pm
Return Trip departing Circus at 9:30 pm

Ticket pricing

Weekdays

VIP KD 70

Zone A KD 35

Zone B KD 20

Zone C KD 10

Free Admission for children under the age of two (Without individual seats)

Weekends

VIP zone KD 80

Zone A KD 45

Zone B KD 30

Zone C KD 20

Free Admission for children under the age of two (Without individual seats)

FOR BOOKING CLICK HERE

For more information on the seating arrangements have a look at the seating area below

For information on the history, experience and what is offered for VIP experience.

The date selection while booking

The Trailer for The Golden Age Circus (in English)

CLICK HERE if the above video does not work
CLICK HERE to see Youtube Channel for TEC Kuwait
Touristic Enterprises Company
Instagram: @tecq8 CLICK HERE
Facebook: @Tecq8 CLICK HERE
Twitter: @tecq8 CLICK HERE
Website: www.kuwaittourism.com (opens in Arabic)
CLICK HERE to open in English

Upcoming Comic Conventions

IGN Convention 2017

Date: 23 to 25 November 2017 (Thursday to Saturday)

Time: 10 am to 10 pm

Venue: Kuwait International Fairgrounds, Hall 4A

To book a ticket, CLICK HERE.

Check out my previous post for more details, CLICK HERE.

ANIME and MANGA CON 2018

Date: 11 to 13 January 2018 (Thursday to Saturday)

Time: 3 pm to 11 pm

Venue: Kuwait International Fairgrounds, Hall 4A

Instagram: @ai_showq8 (CLICK HERE)

JOYSTICK

#Joystick2018
(POSTPONED)
Date: 26-27 January 2018 (Friday - Saturday)

(Joystick Gaming Convention)
Time: Fri 12-10pm, Sat 2-10pm

Venue: Kuwait International Fairgrounds, Hall 5
Website: http://www.joystick.life
Instagram: @theofficialjoystick (CLICK HERE)

Facebook: @TheOfficialJoystick (CLICK HERE)
Twitter: @joystick_life (CLICK HERE)
Youtube: (CLICK HERE)
Ticket Booking: (CLICK HERE) & (CLICK HERE)

COMIC CON KUWAIT 2018

Date: 22 to 24 February 2018 (Thursday to Saturday)

(Kuwait National & Independence Weekend)

Venue: Kuwait International Fairgrounds

Instagram: @YHKEvents (CLICK HERE)
Instagram: @ComicConKuwait (CLICK HERE)

COMFEST KUWAIT 2018

Date: 1 to 3 March 2018 (Thursday to Saturday)

Time: 4 pm to 11 pm

Venue: Kuwait International Fairgrounds, Hall 8

Instagram: @comfestcon (CLICK HERE)

GX 2018 and KBR 2018

#GX2018 #KBR2018
Date: 12 to 14 April 2018 (Thursday to Saturday)

(Games & Media Expo and Kuwait Battle Royale)

Venue: Kuwait International Fairgrounds, Hall 4A
Schedule for 3 days: (CLICK HERE)

Instagram: @FikraKW (CLICK HERE)
Facebook: @FikraKW (CLICK HERE)
Twitter: @FikraKW (CLICK HERE)
Youtube: @FikraKW (CLICK HERE)
Snapchat: @FikraKW
Twitch: @FikraKW (CLICK HERE)

Previous related Post.

CLICK HERE to check out this year's upcoming IGN Con 2017 Kuwait Post.
CLICK HERE to check out this year's KNOT 2017 Kuwait Post.

CLICK HERE to check out this year's SuperCon Kuwait 2017 Post.

CLICK HERE to check out this year's Cosplayer HQ 2017 post.

CLICK HERE to check out this year's GX/KBR 2017 post.

CLICK HERE to check out last year's GX/KBR 2016 post.

CLICK HERE to check out this year's COMIC CON 2017 KUWAIT post.

CLICK HERE to check out one of the first Cosplay contest conducted in Kuwait post.

Kuwait Aviation Show 2018

Your Aerospace gateway to the G.C.C

With $25 billion dollars to be spent in the coming years in the Kuwait Aviation Industry. That includes the ongoing construction of the three airport terminals (New Main International Airport Terminal, Kuwait Airways Terminal and Jazeera Airways Terminal). Also some of the upgrades needed for the current airport terminal, Amiri terminal and Sheikh Saad terminal (Fly Dubai terminal along with private charters) are very much a good proposition for the Kuwait Aviation Show to take place in Kuwait. Along with the new terminal constructions, new runways and taxiways are also being constructed. Kuwait also has multiple military airbases which will benefit from this Aviation Show. Kuwait just completed the first drop zone for skydiving in Kuwait. CLICK HERE for that post.

CLICK HERE if the above video does not work

The expansion of the cargo terminal is also expected as Kuwait keeps developing and targets to be an economic hub for the region. With that in mind, Kuwait has been working on a long term development of the Boubyan Port for Sea Cargo (It has been an ongoing project for a decade and still is expanding by adding more piers and cargo areas which could take another decade)

Photo Courtesy to Kuwait Aviation Show 2018

Kuwait currently has 3 airline companies which deal with commercial passenger traffic and are all looking to expand.

• Kuwait Airways Corporation which started to upgrade its fleet by placing an order of 25 new planes which have started its deliveries since 2016. Also with the under construction of their new terminal, they should be able to take advantage by dedicating and smoothing their operations and passenger comfort.
• Jazeera Airways which has a fleet size of 7-9 currently operating on Middle East - North Africa sector. Jazeera airways had cancelled orders in 2011 (for 25) as they had to make hub (Dubai) changes and had to shutdown the Asia sector operations. In November 2017, Jazeera Airways has made its first Asia operation by having straight flights from Kuwait to India (Hyderabad) and looks to start expanding in this sector in the coming months. There are high chances of Jazeera Airways looking to expand its fleet.
• Wataniya Airways started operations in January 2009 until it ceased operations in March 2011. Right now it is back on track with its operations starting off on July 2017 with 2 planes to 3 destinations (Baku, Tbilisi and Sarajevo) and slowly increasing from their on. It is still expecting to receive 25 planes to increase its current fleet.

Photo Courtesy to Kuwait Aviation Show 2018

Kuwait also has ALAFCO (Aviation Leasing and Finance Company) which is a aircraft leasing company which also has been expanding with its previous fleet size at 15 in 2005 to 80 in the coming years. These are usually in demand during peak seasons, all around the world and also if one wants to start operating immediately compared to the aircraft that are delivered by Airbus or Boeing which can take years.

Photo Courtesy to Kuwait Aviation Show 2018

Kuwait Aviation Show 2018

Date: 17 - 20 January 2018

(Wednesday to Saturday)

Venue: Kuwait International Airport

Instagram: @kas.2018 (CLICK HERE)

Facebook: Kuwait Aviation Show (CLICK HERE)

Twitter: @kas2018_ (CLICK HERE)

Youtube: Kuwait Aviation Show (CLICK HERE)

Website: kuwaitaviationshow.com

Book your tickets: CLICK HERE

Photo Courtesy to Kuwait Aviation Show

Kuwait Aviation Show summarizes 

The importance of the Arabian Gulf has been increasing steadily over the last two decades. Strategically located between the West and the East, the GCC aviation industry has shown impressive and consistent growth rates while outperforming most other regional markets around the globe. Supported by the constant increase in global aviation markets along with the generally liberalized approach by the countries of the GCC will ensure the continuation of this positive trend in the years and decades to come. This growth is evident in not only the region’s airlines but also with the wider aerospace sectors, constant investment in new airport facilities, growing aviation infrastructure requirements and increasing defense spending by the region’s countries providing an attractive market proposition to companies from across all segments of the global aerospace industry.

As a key center of commerce, trade and culture, it is with great pride to launch the inaugural KUWAIT AVIATION SHOW 2018, scheduled to take place from the 17th till the 20th of January 2018. We invite you to join us where your company will find the perfect platform to meet your existing clients, access new markets and networks with colleagues from the commercial and defense sectors from both Kuwait and the wider region.

To download the brochure of Kuwait Aviation Show.

CLICK HERE 

Photo Courtesy to Kuwait Aviation Show

People will have to purchase tickets to attend the Kuwait Aviation Show 2018. The show is open for the public for 2 days (19th and 20th January 2018 - Friday and Saturday) The first two days of the show is for Government officials, VIPs and traders. CLICK HERE to book your tickets. KNET and TAP payments are also available other than the usual Credit Card Visa/Mastercard option.

Photo Courtesy to Kuwait Aviation Show

AIR SHOW timings

Wednesday - 17th Jan 2018 - Day 1 - 11:30 am

Thursday - 18th Jan 2018 - Day 2 - 4:00 pm

Friday - 19th Jan 2018 - Day 3 - 4:00 pm

Saturday - 20th Jan 2018 - Day 4 - 4:00 pm

Photo Courtesy to Kuwait Aviation Show

Kuwait Aviation Show is taking place under the support from the Ministry of Defense, Kuwait Interior Ministry, Directorate General of Civil Aviation and many more.

Photo Courtesy to Kuwait Aviation Show

DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has announced the timings for various air shows as the Airspace around the airport will be cleared during that duration of time. Have a look below.

Photo Courtesy to DGCA and Kuwait Aviation Show

DGCA has announced the rescheduling of regular flights based on the above air show times, Have a look at the schedule from 16th until 20th.

No regular flights will take off between 

16/01/2018 - 1 pm to 1:30 pm

 17/01/2018 - 10:55 am to 12:05 pm

 18/01/2018 - 10:15 am to 10:30 am

18/01/2018 - 1:00 pm to 1:20 pm

18/01/2018 - 4 pm to 4:30 pm

 19/01/2018 - 10:15 am to 10:30 am

19/01/2018 - 1 pm to 1:20 pm

19/01/2018 - 2 pm to 2:20 pm

19/01/2018 - 3:55 pm to 4:30 pm

  20/01/2018 - 10:15 am to 10:30 am

20/01/2018 - 1 pm to 1:20 pm

20/01/2018 - 2 pm to 2:20 pm

20/01/2018 - 4 pm to 4:30 pm

Location Map

The Kuwait Aviation Show has provided buses to its visitors from the visitor parking lot to aviation show site.

Photo courtesy to Kuwait Aviation Show

Venue Coordinates: 

Latitude: 29.242645

Longitude: 47.977122

Lat,Long: 29.242645,47.977122

DMS (Degrees, Minutes, Seconds)

Latitude: 29° 14' 33.5" N

Longitude: 47° 58' 37.6" E
CLICK HERE to see the google maps coordinates.

Google Maps