Kuwait is a rapidly changing country which at the time of the study
(200 1-2002) had about two million pred 0mirian tty Arab inhab itants.
The country has large fmanelal resources based upon its oil and natural
gas industries, a very high per capita income, a comprehensive welfare
system, and free compulsory education for all boys and girls between
thc ages of 6-14. The country's Papulati on includes 40% Kuwaiti s and
60% foreigners, among which, Arabs, Persians, Indians, Sri Lankans,
Philippines and Pakistanis, are especially numerouS.
Moral value system in Kuwait centers on the Islamic cultural
heritage. Islam assumes that Qur'an contains the true, ultimate and
unchanging word of God as revealed to the Prophet and messenger
Mohammed. It contains a corpus of religious beliefs, prescriptions and
laws suppolting social and political institutions. Together with the
religious traditions, the Qur'an orders social relationships and
instit~ticins with a special emphasis on the family. Male and female
•roles are sharplydlfferentiated. The social ethic of Islam stresses
humility, solidari ty,equa lity and God piety, charity towards the less
fortunate.