Regular attacks by Iran have led to the cancellation of events across the Gulf countries including a ban on celebrations during Eid al-Fitr by authorities in Kuwait.
“It has been decided to prohibit the holding of plays, concerts and weddings during the Eid al-Fitr holiday and until further notice,” Kuwait’s interior ministry said in a statement, making it the first Gulf government to take the step.
The Muslim holiday marks the end of the ongoing holy month of Ramadan next week.
The oil-rich Gulf has borne the brunt of Iran’s attacks in response to US-Israeli strikes that sparked the Middle East war, with Tehran targeting US assets but also civilian infrastructure.
Across the Gulf countries, authorities have issued public safety alerts throughout Iran’s retaliatory campaign, often instructing people to shelter in buildings during attacks.
At the outset of the war on February 28, Qatar suspended all public events until further notice including public events for iftar, the meal that breaks the Ramadan fast over public safety concerns.
The opening round of the World Endurance Championship, the Qatar 1812km at the end of March, was also postponed “in light of the current and evolving geopolitical situation in the Middle East”, the organisers announced.
In Dubai, the tourist district Global Village has been closed until further notice putting its Eid fireworks display in doubt and some musical performances like those by Dubai Opera have been postponed.
On 4 March the ATP Challenger tennis tournament in the UAE’s Fujairah was cancelled on Tuesday after play was interrupted earlier in the day because of drone strikes on nearby oil refineries.
Authorities in Gulf states and the US Central Command (CENTCOM) have reported 24 people killed — 11 of them civilians — since the start of the Iranian attacks.
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