Preamble
In the Name of God the Compassionate, the Merciful
We, Abdallah Al Salem Al Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait,
Desirous of fulfilling all of the exigencies of democratic rule in our beloved homeland;
Confident in the role this Nation can play in the wake of Arab nationalism, of service to world peace and of civilization;
Striving towards a better future in which the Nation may enjoy an abundance of comfort and a higher international standing, a future which shall provide citizens with ample political freedom, equality and social justice as well, which shall brace the props of those traits in which the Arab spirit is kneaded such as pride in the dignity of the individual, jealous watch over the commune bonum, counsel in rule and safeguard of the homeland’s unity and stability;
After perusal of Ordinance No. 1/1962 regarding the organic system of rule during the transitional period;
And in accordance with the decision of the Constituent Assembly:
Hereby sanction and promulgate this Constitution.
Part I. The State and the System of Government
Article 1
Kuwait is an Arab, independent, fully sovereign State. There shall be no surrender of its sovereignty nor cession of any part of its territories.
The people of Kuwait are part of the Arab Nation.
Article 2
The religion of the State is Islam and Islamic Law shall be a main source of legislation.
Article 3
Arabic is the official language of the State.
Article 4
Kuwait is a hereditary Amirate held in succession in the descendants of the Mubarak Al Sabah.
The Heir Apparent shall be appointed within a period not exceeding one year from the date of the Amir’s investiture, and his appointment shall follow his nomination by the Amir and the swearing of fealty to him by a consenting majority of the members composing the National Assembly sitting in special session.
Where the appointment does not proceed as indicated above, the Amir shall nominate at least three of the above-mentioned lineage to the heirdom and the Assembly shall swear fealty to one of them as Heir Apparent.
To qualify, the Heir Apparent must have attained the age of majority, must be endowed with reason and must be a legitimate son of Muslim parents.
All of the provisions governing the succession to the Principality shall be set out in a special Ordinance to be promulgated within one year from the coming into force of this Constitution. This special Ordinance shall have force of constitutional law and may not therefore be amended save in the manner prescribed for the amendment of the Constitution itself.
Article 5
The Law shall describe the Flag of the State, its Emblem, its Insignia, its Decorations and its National Anthem.
Article 6
Kuwait’s system of government is democratic; sovereignty is vested in the Nation as the source of all authority; and the exercise of that sovereignty shall be as set out in this Constitution.
