Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabahمِشْعَلَ الْأَحْمَدَ الْجَابِرَ الصَّبَاح |
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Mishal in 2024
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| Emir of Kuwait | |
| Reign | 16 December 2023 – present |
| Predecessor | Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah |
| Heir apparent | Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah |
| Born | 27 September 1940 Kuwait City, Sheikhdom of Kuwait |
| Spouse | Nuria Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah Munira Badah Al-Mutairi |
| Issue | 12 |
| House | Sabah |
| Father | Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah |
| Mother | Maryam Marit Al-Huwaila |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (born 27 September 1940) is the current leader, or Emir of Kuwait. He has been the Emir since December 2023. Before becoming Emir, Mishal spent most of his career working in Kuwait's security and intelligence services. He was also the oldest crown prince in the world before he became Emir at 83 years old.
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Who is Mishal Al-Ahmad?
Growing Up in Kuwait
Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was born on 27 September 1940. His father, Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, was the tenth ruler of the Sheikhdom of Kuwait at that time. Mishal was his father's seventh son. He is also the younger half-brother of three other Emirs of Kuwait. These were Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Learning and Serving His Country
Mishal went to Al Mubarakiya School in Kuwait for his early education. After that, he traveled to the United Kingdom to study at the Hendon Police College. He finished his studies there in 1960.
After graduating, Mishal joined the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior. From 1967 to 1980, he was in charge of the Ministry's intelligence and state security service. In this role, he helped develop the intelligence organization into the Kuwait State Security service. Mishal was its first director.
Leading the Kuwait National Guard
On 13 April 2004, the Emir at the time, Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, appointed Mishal to a very important position. He became the deputy chief of the Kuwait National Guard (KNG). This is one of Kuwait's most powerful defense roles. Mishal was the most influential person in the agency.
While at the KNG, Mishal worked to improve the agency and fight against corruption. Under his leadership, the KNG joined an international group called the International Association of Gendarmeries and Police Forces with Military Status (FIEP) in 2019. Mishal left his position at the KNG in 2020 when he was chosen to be the Crown Prince.
As his half-brother Sabah's health began to decline, Mishal's influence grew. He often went with Sabah on official visits, including trips for medical treatment.
Becoming Crown Prince
The Path to Crown Prince
When his half-brother Sabah passed away on 29 September 2020, Crown Prince Nawaf became the new Emir. According to Kuwaiti law, Nawaf had one year to choose his own crown prince. However, he made his choice very quickly, in just eight days. On 7 October, he chose his half-brother Mishal.
The next day, all 59 members of the Kuwait National Assembly (which is like Kuwait's parliament) agreed to Mishal's appointment. When he became Crown Prince at 80 years old, Mishal was the oldest crown prince in the world. Many people believed that choosing Mishal, who was one of the oldest members of the ruling family, showed that Kuwait wanted to avoid big changes and keep things stable.
Important Duties as Crown Prince
Because Emir Nawaf was older, Mishal was expected to take on more responsibilities than previous crown princes. For example, on 2 September 2021, Mishal spoke with US Vice President Kamala Harris. They discussed the relationship between the US and Kuwait and Kuwait's role in helping with the evacuation from Afghanistan.
When there were political disagreements in Kuwait, Crown Prince Mishal, not Emir Nawaf, announced the dissolution of the Kuwait National Assembly on 17 April 2023. He explained in a television speech that the Emir had the power to do this.
Mishal also represented Kuwait at important events in other countries. These included the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London in 2022. He also attended the wedding of Hussein, Crown Prince of Jordan, in 2023.
Becoming the Emir of Kuwait
Taking the Throne
Mishal became the emir of Kuwait after his half-brother Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah passed away on 16 December 2023. Nawaf had been in the hospital since November for a medical emergency.
Leading Kuwait Today
On 15 February 2024, Mishal dissolved the National Assembly. This happened because of growing disagreements between the government and the parliament members. Three months later, on 10 May, he dissolved the parliament again. He also suspended some parts of the constitution for up to four years. This decision came after weeks of political tension following the special election in April 2024.
Personal Life
Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has two wives: Nuria Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah and Munira Badah Al-Mutairi. He has 12 children in total: 5 sons and 7 daughters. He helped start the Kuwait Amateur Radio Society and served as its honorary president. He has also been the honorary president of the Kuwait Aircraft Engineer Pilots Association and the Diwan of Poets.
Honors
Mishal has received many special honors from different countries:
France: Commander of the Legion of Honour (4 December 2018)
Bahrain: Member Exceptional Class of the Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa (13 February 2024)
Saudi Arabia: Collar of the Order of King Abdulaziz (30 January 2024)
Oman: Collar of the Order of Al-Said (6 February 2024)
Qatar: Sword of the Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani (20 February 2024)
United Arab Emirates: Collar of the Order of Zayed (5 March 2024)
Egypt: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Nile (30 April 2024)
Jordan: Collar of the Order of Al-Hussein bin Ali (23 April 2024)
Turkey: First Class of the Order of the State of the Republic of Turkey (7 May 2024)
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Mishal Al-Áhmad Al-Yáber Al-Sabah para niños
- List of international emiri trips made by Mishal Al-Ahmad
