Kuwait City, April 19, 2025 – In response to growing energy demands, Kuwait’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has rolled out a series of innovative measures aimed at reducing electricity consumption in mosques nationwide. The initiative, spearheaded by the Mosques Department in Hawalli Governorate, seeks to balance spiritual practices with sustainable energy use.
The new guidelines come at the request of the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy, which has emphasized the need for energy conservation amid rising national consumption. The measures include shorter prayer times, restricted access to indoor prayer spaces, and stricter controls on air conditioning usage, alongside scheduled power outages in mosques across Kuwait’s six governorates.
Outdoor Prayers and Limited Indoor Access
Under the new rules, mosques will close their main indoor prayer halls for the five daily prayers, encouraging worshippers to use outdoor courtyards instead. Indoor halls will only be accessible for Friday congregational prayers, with air conditioning set to an energy-efficient 22°C on automatic mode from Thursday evening through Friday.
For daily prayers, outdoor spaces will serve as the primary venues. If air conditioning is required in these areas, it must be maintained at 25°C on automatic mode. Women’s prayer sections will remain closed in most mosques, except in those hosting educational or religious sessions, where air conditioning will also be set to 25°C and spaces closed promptly after activities conclude.
Streamlined Prayer Schedules
To further reduce energy use, the ministry has directed imams to minimize the time between the call to prayer (adhan) and the start of prayers (iqama), particularly for the Dhuhr and Asr prayers. Additionally, the duration of the prayers themselves will be shortened to optimize energy consumption.
Scheduled Power Cuts
As part of the broader energy-saving strategy, mosques will experience planned power outages. Electricity will be cut from 30 minutes after the Dhuhr prayer until 15 minutes before the Asr prayer, and again from 30 minutes after the Asr prayer until 5 p.m. These measures aim to align mosque operations with national efforts to manage peak energy loads.
A Step Toward Sustainability
The guidelines reflect Kuwait’s commitment to sustainable practices while preserving the sanctity of religious spaces. By adopting these measures, the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs hopes to set a precedent for energy-conscious worship, encouraging communities to adapt to changing environmental needs.
Local worshippers have expressed mixed reactions. “Praying outdoors is a return to simplicity, but it might be challenging in the heat,” said Ahmad Al-Mansour, a regular mosque-goer in Hawalli. Others praised the initiative, noting its alignment with broader environmental goals. “It’s a small sacrifice for a greater cause,” said Fatima Al-Kandari, a resident of Al-Jahra.
The ministry has assured the public that these changes are temporary and will be reviewed as energy demands stabilize. For now, Kuwait’s mosques are leading by example, blending tradition with modern sustainability efforts.
