9 Prohibitions in the 'Places of Worship' Law
Notably, "calling for extremism or violence" and "practicing any rituals that lead to self-harm."
Yesterday, Decree-Law No. (72) of 2026 concerning the regulation and establishment of places of worship was issued. The legislation, published in the Official Gazette (Kuwait Today), provides a clear legal framework for the operation of places of worship. Article (16) outlines nine prohibitions regarding the use of places of worship, the most prominent of which are: offending the teachings upon which any religion, sect, or other belief system is based, or calling for such offense; interfering in the state’s politics, internal or external affairs, or its system of governance, or undermining public order; inciting sectarian, racial, religious, or ethnic strife, or calling for extremism or violence; and performing any acts of worship, religious rituals, or ceremonies outside places of worship in a manner that disrupts traffic flow, security, or public order, without obtaining a permit from the relevant unit within the Ministry.
It also prohibits organizing events without obtaining a permit from the relevant unit within the Ministry, and performing any rituals or ceremonies that lead to self-harm or harm to others, or threaten the health, safety, or security of any individuals, visitors to the place of worship, or its staff. Furthermore, it bans communicating with diplomatic, security, or official institutions of any country, interfering in the internal or external politics of other countries, or using the place of worship as a platform for such purposes. It also prohibits recruiting or appointing staff on a permanent or temporary basis without obtaining a permit from the relevant unit within the Ministry.
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For his part, Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohammed Al-Wasmi affirmed that the issuance of the decree ensures freedom to practice religious rites and equality among citizens, while preventing the exploitation of places of worship for political or non-religious purposes.
In a press statement, Al-Wasmi said that the law obliges those managing existing places of worship to regularize their status in compliance with the law and its executive regulations within six months from the date the regulations come into effect. He noted that the law includes provisions prohibiting the establishment of places of worship without a license, and bans the construction, expansion, relocation, or change of use of any place of worship without prior approval. It also prohibits using places of worship for political propaganda, interfering in the internal and external affairs of other countries, or inciting strife, hatred, fanaticism, or extremism.
He mentioned that the law stipulates the formation of a committee comprising representatives from several government entities to review applications for establishing places of worship and provide opinions on them. He pointed out that these laws embody the rule of law and institutional regulation, ensuring the free and peaceful practice of religious rites, while simultaneously safeguarding the sanctity of places of worship and their noble religious mission, free from any practices that contradict the purpose for which they were established.
He clarified that the regulatory framework reinforces principles of transparency and justice in procedures related to the establishment and management of places of worship, through clear controls and unified mechanisms that ensure equal treatment of all applications. This contributes to enhancing social stability, consolidating a culture of moderation and centrism, and preserving places of worship as platforms for worship, cohesion, and the dissemination of values of love and peace.
