Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
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King Hamad in 2023
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| King of Bahrain | |
| Reign | 14 February 2002 – present |
| Predecessor | Position established Himself (as Emir) |
| Heir apparent | Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa |
| Prime Minister | Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa |
| Emir of Bahrain | |
| Reign | 6 March 1999 – 14 February 2002 |
| Predecessor | Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa |
| Successor | Position abolished Himself (as King) |
| Prime Minister | Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa |
| Born | 28 January 1950 Riffa, Bahrain |
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| Issue Detail |
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| Arabic | حمد بن عيسى آل خليفة |
| House | Khalifa |
| Father | Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa |
| Mother | Hessa bint Salman Al Khalifa |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
| Styles of The King of Bahrain |
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| Reference style | His Majesty |
| Spoken style | Your Majesty |
Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa (born on January 28, 1950) is the current King of Bahrain. He became king in 1999. He is part of the Al Khalifa family, which rules Bahrain.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was born in Riffa, Bahrain, on January 28, 1950. His parents were Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who was the Crown Prince at the time, and Hessa bint Salman Al Khalifa.
After finishing school in Bahrain, Hamad went to England for more education. He studied at Applegarth College and then at The Leys School. Later, he received military training. He attended Mons Officer Cadet School in England and the United States Army Command and General Staff College in Kansas. He graduated from the US college in June 1973 with a degree in leadership.
Becoming Crown Prince and Early Roles
Hamad was named the heir apparent (the next in line to rule) by his father on June 27, 1964. In 1968, he became the head of the irrigation council and the Manama city council.
He joined the Bahrain National Guard in 1968 and became its commander. He held this role until 1969. Then, he was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Bahrain Defence Force. From 1971 to 1988, he served as the minister of state for defense.
In 1977, Sheikh Hamad began learning to fly helicopters. He finished his training in January 1978. He also helped create the Bahrain Amiri Air Force in 1987.
His Time as Ruler
When his father Isa passed away, Hamad became the Emir of Bahrain on March 6, 1999. As Emir, Hamad made several important changes in Bahrain. He released political prisoners and ended certain security laws. Many Bahraini citizens who had been living outside the country were allowed to return home. In 2002, he changed his title from Emir to King.
As King, he has many important powers. He chooses the prime minister and other government ministers. He also leads the army and the highest court. He appoints members to one part of the parliament and can dissolve the elected part.
Challenges and Changes
After King Hamad took power in 1999, he worked to bring stability to Bahrain. He focused on improving living standards and making Bahrain an important financial center.
However, there were some challenges. Some people in Bahrain felt there was unfairness in jobs and housing. They also felt that certain groups were favored over others in the military. Even though some people from the Shi'ite community were given government jobs during his rule, many important positions in the government and military are held by members of the Al Khalifa family and Sunnis.
Protests in 2011
In February 2011, Bahrain experienced protests. These protests were part of a larger movement across the Arab world. King Hamad ordered money to be given to families to celebrate an anniversary. However, protests continued, with people asking for more changes.
The government responded to the protests. King Hamad apologized for the deaths of some protesters and called for an investigation. Later, more protesters were killed. The King's son, Prince Salman, ordered the army to leave a main protest area. As the protests grew, King Hamad offered some changes, like releasing political prisoners.
In March 2011, King Hamad declared a State of National Safety. Troops from other countries in the region, like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, came to Bahrain. King Hamad said these troops were there to protect important buildings.
In June 2011, King Hamad asked a group of experts to look into the events of the protests. This group, called the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), released its findings in November 2011. The international community praised this step. However, some human rights groups later said that more needed to be done to address the issues.
International Relationships
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King Hamad has met with leaders from many countries. In 2020, Bahrain and Israel agreed to establish full diplomatic relations. This was a significant step for the region. However, in November 2023, Bahrain recalled its ambassador to Israel.
Personal Life
King Hamad has four wives and twelve children in total: seven sons and five daughters.
- His first wife is Sheikha Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa. They married in 1968 and have three sons and one daughter:
* Sheikh Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who is the Crown Prince of Bahrain (born 1969) * Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (born 1975) * Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Khalifa (born 1977) * Sheikha Najla bint Hamad Al Khalifa (born 1981)
- His second wife is Sheikha Sheia bint Hassan Al Khrayyesh Al Ajmi. They have two sons:
* Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa (born 1987) * Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa (born 1989)
- His third wife is Sheikha Hessa bint Faisal bin Muhammad bin Shuraim Al Marri. They have one son and two daughters:
* Sheikha Munira bint Hamad Al Khalifa (born 1990) * Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad Al Khalifa (1991–2006), who passed away in a car accident. * Sheikha Noura bint Hamad Al Khalifa (born 1993)
- His fourth wife is Sheikha Manal bint Jabor Al Naimi. They have one son and two daughters:
* Sheikh Sultan bin Hamad Al Khalifa (born 1997) * Sheikha Hessa bint Hamad Al Khalifa (born 2000) * Sheikha Rima bint Hamad Al Khalifa (born 2002)
Awards and Recognitions
King Hamad has received many honors and awards from different countries around the world. These include:
- From Jordan: The Grand Cordon of the Order of the Star of Jordan (1967) and the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Renaissance (1972).
- From Iraq: Member 1st class of the Order of the Two Rivers (1969).
- From Morocco: Member Special Class of the Order of Muhammad (1970).
- From Egypt: The Grand Cordon of the Order of the Republic (1973) and the Collar of the Order of the Nile (2016).
- From Iran: Collar of the Order of the Crown (1973).
- From Saudi Arabia: Collar of the Order of Abdulaziz al Saud (1976).
- From Indonesia: Star of the Republic of Indonesia, 1st class (1977).
- From Mauritania: Member 1st class of the National Order of Merit (1978).
- From Libya: Member 1st class of the Order of the Grand Conqueror of Libya (1979).
- From Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic (1981).
- From Malaysia: Honorary Recipient of the Most Exalted Order of the Crown of the Realm (2000).
- From the United Arab Emirates: Collar of the Order of Zayed (2005).
- From Ireland: Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (2006).
- From Yemen: Member 1st class of the Order of the Republic of the Yemen (2010).
- From Denmark: Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog (2011).
- From France: Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit.
- From Tunisia: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Republic (2016).
- From Palestine: Grand Collar of the State of Palestine (2017).
- From Brunei: Recipient of the Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei (2017).
- From Johor: Grand Commander of the Most Esteemed Royal Family Order of Johor (2017).
- From Turkmenistan: Member of the Order of Neutrality (2019).
- From Brazil: Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross (2021).
- From the United States: Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit (2021).
- From Russia: Honorary Doctorate from Moscow State Institute of International Relations (2021).
- From Oman: Member 1st class of the Order of Oman (2022).
- From Cyprus: Collar of the Order of Makarios III (2015).
- From the United Kingdom:
* Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (1979). * Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (2024).
See also
In Spanish: Hamad bin Isa Al Jalifa para niños
- Politics of Bahrain
