The State of Kuwait, is wedged in the desert between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, at the northwest end of the Arabian Gulf. There are no rivers and rain is light. In the quest for drinking water, the world's largest desalination plants were built in 1950.

A former British protectorate, Kuwait gained independence in 1961, and since 1992 an Amir has controlled cabinet in the newly-re-established parliament. Sunni Islam is the state religion. Immigrant religious minorities are permitted some worship facilities. Expatriate Christians gained recognition for their prayer and relief aid during and after the 1990 Iraqi occupation. Frustrating restrictions imposed on Christian gatherings have since been eased.