KUWAIT, Oct 7 (KUNA) -- The Cabinet congratulated HH the Amir, HH the Crown Prince and the Kuwaiti people on the advent of the Muslim festive occasion of Eid Al-Adha, declaring Sunday, October 13, a public holiday along with the remaining days of the week.
"HH the Prime Minister, during the meeting, expressed his utmost congratulations to HH the Amir, HH the Crown Prince, the Kuwaiti people and the Arab and Muslim worlds on the advent of the festive occasion of Eid Al-Adha, praying that God bring prosperity and wellbeing to us all," said State Minister for Cabinet Affairs and Health Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah after the Cabinet's Monday session.
As the upcoming Sunday will fall between two holidays - the Day of Arafah on Monday and the weekend - it was declared "a day of resting" by the Cabinet, and will be the start of a week-long holiday until the following Saturday for state employees, with work to resume on Sunday, October 20.
Private establishments have been exempt from the decision, with their days off to be decided by the firms themselves, added the minister.
The Day of Arafa marks the completion of the message of Islam and is the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage. It precedes the first day of the major Islamic holiday of Eid Al-Adha, or the festival of sacrifice, during which Muslims honour the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his first-born son Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of submission to God's command, before God allowed the prophet to sacrifice a lamb instead - a ritual followed until this day.
Meanwhile, ministers were briefed on a letter addressed to HH the Amir from Sultan Qaboos bin Saeed of Oman on bilateral relations, and another from the President of Benin Yayi Boni, expressing his nation's gratitude for assistance provided in the aid of disadvantaged families.
The Cabinet also adopted a draft decree for the appointment of Municipal Council members, including Mohammad Ibrahim Al-Mijel, Osama Humoud Al-Otaibi, Mishaal Rashid Al-Juwaisri, Mansour Metib Al-Khurainij, Ahmad Mohammad Al-Fidalha and Ali Hussain Al-Mousa.
This was followed by political affairs committee discussions on reports on the Arab and international stages. (end) tma.sd KUNA 072331 Oct 13NNNN