Kuwait City: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, through the Hawalli Governorate Mosques Department, has officially cancelled its recent directive aimed at rationalizing electricity and water use in mosques, effective April 16, 2025. Circular No. 8-2025 will now remain in effect, replacing the withdrawn circular.
The decision to retract the circular follows widespread criticism and negative reactions on social media, where many users expressed concern about the discomfort it would cause worshippers and its potential to interfere with religious practices.
The original circular had instructed imams and muezzins to:
Limit worship to mosque courtyards with air conditioning set to 25°C in auto mode.
Keep the main mosque open for Friday prayers only, with air conditioning set to 22°C.
Close all women’s prayer areas unless used for religious courses, and to restrict air conditioning to 25°C during use.
Additionally, the directive followed a message from the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, indicating scheduled power outages in mosques across the six governorates. These shutdowns were to occur:
From half an hour after the noon call to prayer until 15 minutes before the afternoon prayer.
From half an hour after the afternoon prayer until 5 PM.
The ministry also advised shortening the time between the call to prayer and Iqama during Dhuhr and Asr prayers.
The cancellation comes as an attempt to restore public trust and ensure comfort and spiritual integrity for mosque-goers during their worship.
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