The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs said in a statement that Minister Dr. Mohammad Al-Wasmi received Father Suleiman Hannaoui, the official spokesman for the Catholic Church in Kuwait, on Thursday for talks on shared concerns. Discussions centred on bolstering the culture of dialogue, mutual understanding and rejection of extremism to advance social peace and embed values of love, cooperation and coexistence. These exchanges took place within the parameters of Kuwaiti law that guarantees respect for freedom of belief and the practice of religious rites, the ministry added.
Al-Wasmi told the meeting that such principles form a deeply rooted approach in Kuwaiti society that mirrors its moderation, harmony and respect for all constituent groups, the statement reported. The encounter reflects ongoing efforts by Kuwaiti authorities to promote interfaith understanding at a time of regional tensions. Kuwait established diplomatic relations with the Holy See in 1968, becoming the first Gulf nation to do so.[[1]](https://www.aljarida.com/article/142673)
A joint statement issued during Cardinal Pietro Parolin’s official visit to Kuwait in January 2026 underlined the importance of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among religions, according to Vatican News. That visit coincided with the proclamation of the Church of Our Lady of Arabia in Ahmadi as a Minor Basilica, the first such designation in the Arabian Peninsula. The Catholic Church in Kuwait traces its presence to a chapel built in 1948, with the current structure completed in 1957 as a gift from local donors.
Hundreds of thousands of Catholics, primarily expatriate workers, reside in Kuwait and benefit from the country’s framework of religious tolerance, Vatican envoy reports have noted on multiple occasions this year. The ministry statement following Thursday’s meeting emphasised that Kuwait’s policies aim to foster an environment where different faiths can coexist under the rule of law. Similar affirmations have appeared in recent diplomatic exchanges between Kuwaiti officials and Vatican representatives.
Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Najeeb Abdulrahman Al-Bader highlighted Kuwait’s pride in its respect for all religions during an August farewell event for the departing Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Eugene Nugent, Times Kuwait reported. Those remarks built on a pattern of public statements that position Kuwait as a regional model for moderation and dialogue. The latest meeting with the Catholic Church spokesman continues that consistent messaging from senior Kuwaiti officials.
The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs coordinates such engagements as part of its mandate to promote Islamic values alongside societal harmony, its published statements show. Thursday’s discussion touched on practical ways to reject fanaticism while supporting community stability across Kuwait’s diverse population. Further meetings between government bodies and religious representatives are expected to maintain this channel of communication.
