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Kuwait Govt Sets Date for First Session of New National Assembly

Kuwaitis cast their votes at a polling station to cast their votes, during the parliamentary elections Kuwait City, Kuwait, on 29 September 2022. (EPA)
Kuwaitis cast their votes at a polling station to cast their votes, during the parliamentary elections Kuwait City, Kuwait, on 29 September 2022. (EPA)
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Kuwait Govt Sets Date for First Session of New National Assembly

Kuwaitis cast their votes at a polling station to cast their votes, during the parliamentary elections Kuwait City, Kuwait, on 29 September 2022. (EPA)
Kuwaitis cast their votes at a polling station to cast their votes, during the parliamentary elections Kuwait City, Kuwait, on 29 September 2022. (EPA)

The Kuwaiti government held an extraordinary session on Saturday to set the date for the first meeting of the newly-elected National Assembly.

The parliament will meet for the first time on October 11.

The government then submitted its resignation following the announcement of this week’s elections results.

The results were announced on Friday, introducing a 54 percent change in the legislature.

Only 12 lawmakers were reelected to their posts in the 50-member legisalture.

Opposition lawmakers made gains, while pro-government MPs were dealt shocking defeats.

Deputies representing the Islamic Constitutional Movement - Hadas (Muslim Brotherhood) won seats. The victors included: Osama Issa Al-Shaheen (first constituency), Hamad Muhammad Al-Matar (second district), and Abdulaziz Al-Saqabi (third constituency).

The Salafist movement achieved a remarkable win with the return of MP Muhammad Hayef to the National Assembly after his loss in the previous elections. Adel Al-Damkhi, Fahd Al-Masoud and Hamad Al-Obeid also won seats.

The entire Bloc of Five, consisting of Hassan Gohar, Abdullah Al-Mudhaf, Badr Al-Mulla, Muhalhal Al-Mudhaf, and Muhannad Al-Sayer, also won with a high number of votes in their constituencies.

About nine Shiite deputies, distributed in various electoral districts and political blocs, won seats, including two independents, Osama Al-Zayd and Jenan Boushehri.

Former National Assembly Speaker Ahmed Al-Saadoun claimed a landslide victory, receiving more than 12,200 votes in the third constituency - the highest in the country.

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Pilgrims Fill Tent City as Arafat Prepares for Key Hajj Rite

Mina welcomes pilgrims at start of Hajj rites on Wednesday (Photo: Basheer Saleh)
Mina welcomes pilgrims at start of Hajj rites on Wednesday (Photo: Basheer Saleh)
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Pilgrims Fill Tent City as Arafat Prepares for Key Hajj Rite

Mina welcomes pilgrims at start of Hajj rites on Wednesday (Photo: Basheer Saleh)
Mina welcomes pilgrims at start of Hajj rites on Wednesday (Photo: Basheer Saleh)

The tent city of Mina, considered the world’s largest, sprang back to life on Wednesday as nearly two million Muslims began their Hajj journey, marking the Day of Tarwiyah in spiritual preparation for the days ahead.

Pilgrims, dressed in simple white garments, filled the sprawling encampment that is inhabited only during the annual Islamic pilgrimage. They spent the day in prayer and reflection, seeking closeness to God, forgiveness, and acceptance, following the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad.

At dawn on Thursday, the mass of worshippers moved to Mount Arafat for the pinnacle of the Hajj – the Day of Arafat – considered the most significant ritual of the pilgrimage. There, pilgrims will stand in solemn prayer on the sacred plain, performing shortened and combined noon and afternoon prayers after listening to the Arafat sermon.

This year’s sermon at Namira Mosque will be delivered by Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Humaid, Imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah. The Presidency for Religious Affairs at the Two Holy Mosques has made the sermon accessible in seven languages through real-time translations, aiming to reach a global audience.

Moreover, Saudi authorities have deployed extensive security, medical, food supply, and transport services to ease the journey for nearly two million pilgrims performing Hajj this year, emphasizing safety, organization, and spiritual focus.

The Saudi leadership reaffirmed the importance of coordinated efforts by all government and service agencies to ensure the success of the pilgrimage season and to provide a tranquil and secure environment for worshippers.

Health Minister Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel inspected Arafat’s Jabal Al-Rahma Hospital on Wednesday, reviewing emergency facilities, medical departments, and the readiness of healthcare personnel. The visit aimed to ensure high-quality medical services and a safe environment for pilgrims as they prepare for the pivotal Day of Arafat.

The health system continues to ramp up efforts to enhance readiness and deliver integrated care across all Hajj sites, aiming to maintain safety and wellbeing throughout the pilgrimage.

With temperatures soaring across Makkah and the holy sites during the Hajj season, Saudi Arabia’s Health Ministry has urged pilgrims to take extra precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses.

The ministry advised worshippers to carry umbrellas, stay well-hydrated, wear comfortable walking shoes, and use medical ID bracelets indicating any health conditions.

Officials warned that extreme heat could cause sunstroke and lead to loss of consciousness in as little as 10 to 15 minutes if proper precautions are not taken.