Imami Shiites as a Lever of Political Balance in Kuwait

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Student in Shiite Studies, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom; Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Al-Mustafa International University, Qom, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor of Shiite Studies, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran,

3 Associate Professor, Department of Jurisprudential Denominations, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran,

Abstract

Kuwait is an exceptional country among the sheikhdoms, and its Twelver Shiites have a special situation compared to the Shiites of the neighboring countries. The present study, based on the theory of weak government and also using a descriptive-analytical method, examines the unique position of Shiites in the equations of the ruling family to maintain its power. The main question of this reaearch is: What effect does the presence of Shiites in Kuwait have on the survival of the Al-Sabah dynasty? Given this question, the research hypothesis is that the Shiites, especially after 1990, played the role of a lever of balance, and if they were not present in Kuwait, the Al-Sabah dynasty would face serious crises to maintain its survival in the face of internal dissidents and foreign enemies. The results of the study show that the rulers of Kuwait, sometimes approaching the Shiites and sometimes expressing hostility towards them, abuse the country's social classifications and reduce the tension between the opposition forces and their own government by creating a confrontation between the Shiites and other social groups. In this way, they have been able to overcome great crises, although they lose the integrity of society. This study helps to understand the situation of the Shiites in Kuwait and to take an appropriate approach to them and the government.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Imamiyyah Studies
Volume 8, Issue 15
September 2022
Pages 5-34

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