Kuwait deploys joint forces to secure 88 Hussainiyas during Muharram

The Ministry of Interior began implementing a wide-ranging security plan, in coordination with the General Presidency of the National Guard, to safeguard Husseini mourning councils taking place during Muharram.

The security coverage includes 64 schools housing 88 Hussainiyas, along with 25 mosques authorized to host rituals for one hour after evening prayers. Sports clubs have been excluded from holding any Husseini activities.

A well-informed security source told Al-Jarida that First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef approved holding rituals within mosque premises only, and limited their duration to one hour following evening prayers.

The Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with various government entities, has developed a joint security plan involving the General Presidency of the National Guard, the Kuwait Fire Force, the Ministries of Education, Electricity and Renewable Energy, and Health.

Participating security divisions include State Security, Criminal and Operations Security, Traffic and Public Security, Special Security Forces, the Central General Directorate of Operations and the Directorate-General of Civil Defense.

The source added that the KFF has completed inspections of cooking locations for traditional “Baraka” meals within schools and has issued permits only to those sites that comply with safety and security standards. No unauthorized locations have been allowed to prepare food or hold banquets.

The Hussainiyas committee recently convened with Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, Major General Ali Al-Adwani, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Security Affairs, Major General Hamad Al-Munifi.

The meeting resulted in a clear regulatory framework for the rituals, including permission for home gatherings with a maximum of 50 attendees indoors only, ban on outdoor gatherings and use of loudspeakers outside homes and allowing vows and donations (both financial and in-kind) to support ritual expenses.

Additionally, Hussainiyas may remain open or return to their premises after the 10th of Muharram. Schools must remain closed for other purposes, though cooking is permitted on-site under strict compliance with safety regulations.

Mosques are allowed to host Husseini gatherings throughout the day after the 10th of Muharram, provided they conclude by 9:00 pm, external loudspeakers remain prohibited.

The Ministry emphasized its commitment to ensuring both the safety of participants and the orderly conduct of religious rituals, while maintaining coordination across all relevant agencies.