The ruling family and many prominent Kuwaiti families belong to the denomination of Sunni Islam. However, 30 to 40 percent of the population belong to the Shi'a denomination. They are free to conduct their traditional forms of worship without government interference.
There are several legally recognized expatriate congregations and churches, including a Catholic diocese and several Protestant churches. Expatriates who are members of religions not sanctioned in the Koran, e.g., Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists, may not build places of worship but may worship privately in their homes.
The Government prohibits Muslims from converting to other religions and religious education for religions other than Islam. The Government does not permit the establishment of non-Islamic publishing companies or training institutions for clergy. The law also prohibits non-Muslims from becoming citizens.
Recently a family law court convicted former Muslim Robert Hussein of apostasy for converting to Christianity in a case filed by a group of private Muslims citizens. The verdict ordered Hussein to pay all legal costs and affected certain personal rights, such as child custody and property inheritance, but did not carry a criminal penalty or affect his civil rights. The judge and some private citizens publicly quoted a Koranic reference to death being the punishment for apostasy. The Government later publicly affirmed Hussein's civil rights and stated that he would be protected.
2003 US State Department International Religious Freedom Report on Kuwait
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