Diwaniya Diplomacy: A time-honored Kuwaiti tradition
On 24 February, Editor-in-Chief of The Times Kuwait, Tareq AlShumaimry, hosted his annual Ramadan diwaniya, welcoming friends, dignitaries, diplomats, and well-wishers during the holy month of Ramadan. More than a social gathering, the event reflected the enduring strength of Kuwait’s diwaniya culture as a cornerstone of community engagement, dialogue, and informal diplomacy.
Ambassadors of Uzbekistan, UNHCR, Charge D’Affairs of Lebanon and IOM Chief.
The diwaniya provided a warm and inclusive setting where families, community leaders, foreign diplomats, and members of the business community came together to exchange greetings and extend their best wishes for Ramadan.
In keeping with Kuwait’s time-honored traditions, the gathering fostered meaningful interaction between citizens, expatriates, and residents, reinforcing social cohesion in a respectful and friendly atmosphere.
While rooted in heritage, the Ramadan diwaniya also holds significant strategic value across social, diplomatic, and economic dimensions: The presence of diplomats at these events underscores the diwaniya’s role as an informal diplomatic platform.
In Kuwait, such gatherings often function as spaces where relationships are strengthened outside formal protocol. This setting allows for trust-building conversations that can support bilateral cooperation, cultural understanding, and long-term strategic partnerships.
