Shia Islam constitutes a significant minority in Kuwait.[1][2] In 2001, the US Department of State reported that there were 300,000 Shia Kuwaiti citizens and 820,000 Kuwaiti citizens in total thus Shias formed 36.5% of the Kuwaiti citizen population.[3] In 2002, the US Department of State reported that Shia Kuwaitis formed 30-40% of Kuwait's citizen population,[1] noting there were 525,000 Sunni citizens and 855,000 Kuwaiti citizens in total (61% Sunnis, 39% Shias).[1] In 2004, there were 300,000-350,000 Shia Kuwaiti citizens and 913,000 Kuwaiti citizens in total.[4] The Strategic Studies Institute reported that they constitute 40% of the population in 2008.[2]
Most Shia Kuwaitis are of Iranian descent.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Contrary to the expectations of the Iraqi government, Shia Kuwaitis founded an armed resistance movement during Saddam Hussein's occupation of Kuwait (1990–91).[14][15] Many Kuwaitis arrested, tortured and executed during the occupation bore Shia names.[16] The Kuwaiti resistance's casualty rate exceeded that of the coalition military forces and hostages.[17]
According to NGOs and human rights organisations, the Shia community face marginalisation in social, economic, and political fields, including "glass ceiling" discrimination in employment. Shia are under-represented in all levels of government and parliament.[18] Kuwaiti government policy, on paper, allegedly does not discriminate citizens on a sectarian basis.[19] Several female MPs, including Rola Dashti, have been Shia.[20]
The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims and United Nations criticized the Kuwaiti authorities' treatment of the so-called "Abdali Cell".[21][22][23][24] In November 2021, Kuwait arbitrarily detained eight elderly Shia Kuwaiti men without any charges.[25][26][27][28]