Personal and religious freedoms. Kuwait is an Islamic country, and the majority of Kuwaitis are Muslim – approximately 70 percent Sunni and 30 percent Shiite. Muslim women are able to practice their religion freely. Large numbers of Kuwaiti women have chosen to adhere to an Islamic lifestyle and wear the hijab, attend Islamic schools and perform the hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) by their own choice. Foreign nationals – Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and Sikhs – make up about 68 percent of Kuwait’s resident population. The Kuwaiti government has actively promoted religious freedom and tolerated interfaith dialogue over the years. Kuwait has kept Islam as an intrinsic part of its cultural identity and allowed others to experience Islamic values and understand the principles of Islam by reaching out to teach them. Kuwaiti women’s serving as religious teachers shows their determination to put their Islamic beliefs into practice. Even non-Muslim women enjoy religious freedom in Kuwait. With regard to other religions, Kuwait has recognised officially the following Christian denominations: Roman Catholic, Anglican, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Greek Catholic, and National Evangelical. Article 15 of the Passport Law (No. 11 of 1962) prevents a married Kuwaiti woman from holding a passport without the consent of her husband, whereas there is no need for permission for an unmarried woman over 21 years old, who is free to obtain a passport without anyone’s consent. Though there are no laws banning women from travelling abroad or even visiting friends, society-based restrictions compel to notify, or obtain permission from, parents – practice varies depending on individuals and the strictness of their families. It is now possible for Kuwaiti women to enjoy relatively uninhibited freedom of movement, and they may travel abroad without a muharam (male relative). With varying job situations and requirements, many companies send their female employees abroad for business trips or conferences. Women do not have to face problems in their employment due to gender- related restrictions on travelling abroad.78 The two different sects play a major role in the life of Muslim women in Kuwait. Among the Sunnis, personal status is regulated by the Personal Status Law No. 51 of 1984, based on the Maliki school of Sunni Islam; and for the Shiite, family law is based on the Jaafari School of interpretation. As between the two sects, women are treated differently under these two schools as regards rul...
