Kuwait City’s local municipality has directed all shops to dismantle their Christmas decorations, causing a sudden pause in the city’s festive preparations. This mandate has particularly affected areas like Boulevard, as reported by a local blog, 248am.
The blogger recounted a personal experience while attempting to buy a Christmas tree at Sultan Center in Boulevard. To their surprise, the Christmas section was empty, and the staff informed them that the municipality had ordered the removal of all Christmas items. The same situation was observed at Ace Hardware in the same mall and at Daiso in Souq Salmiya, indicating a city-wide enforcement.
This directive has confused and disappointed both expatriates and local shop owners who were gearing up for the holiday season. Businesses, already decorated with lights, ornaments, and Christmas trees, now face the urgent task of removing these displays, disrupting normal operations during a key sales period.
The incident was first reported by Arab Times.
The municipality has not yet released an official statement explaining this decision, leaving residents hoping for clarity soon. Kuwait has a history of banning the sale of Christmas decorations, citing concerns that they conflict with the country’s religion, customs, and traditions. For instance, last year, a large Christmas tree was removed from Avenues Mall following complaints.