The Embassy of the State of Kuwait

Though Kuwait's constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and churches of several faiths flourish there, this is a devout Muslim nation whose people follow the Islamic principles and way of life.

The Arabic Words of "Islam" (literally "submission") and "Muslim" ("one who has submitted") are related to the word "salam", or "peace". This is not a contradiction: the belief is that true inner peace can be achieved only by total submission to the will of the omniscient and omnipotent God, who is called Allah in Arabic. Submission does not compromise the freedom of the believer. Rather, it liberates him from fear, ignorance, and superstition by filling him with the truth of the universe.

Islam is a complete integral system that encompasses all areas of human life. It places everything where it should be in God's creation, and teaches that this life is only a preparation for the next eternal one. God, who is both stern and merciful, will reward those who have followed His way and punish those who have not. He requires devotion, faith, charity, sincerity, modesty, control of passions, respect, moral uprightness, generosity, kindness, and good citizenship from each believer. God's pleasure is the sole purpose of life, and He does not suffer gladly the immoral or deceitful.

At the center of Islam is the concept of God-consciousness. The true believer goes about everything in his life conscious of God and what He wants, and lets this guide him in all endeavors, whether spiritual, social, political, economic, or legal. Every person has a moral responsibility to act virtuously and to fight evil, in an ever-widening circle that first encompasses personal habits and beliefs, then extends to include family, community, nation, and ultimately all mankind.