Emir of Kuwait
The emir of the State of Kuwait (Arabic: أمير دولة الكويت) is the monarch and head of state of Kuwait, the country's most powerful office. The emirs of Kuwait are members of the Al Sabah dynasty.
Emir of Kuwait | |
---|---|
أمير الكويت | |
Incumbent | |
Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah since 30 September 2020 | |
Details | |
Style | His Highness |
Heir apparent | Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah |
First monarch | Sheikh Sabah I bin Jaber |
Formation | 1752 |
Residence | Bayan Palace |
Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah became the emir of Kuwait on 30 September 2020,[1] following the death of Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Rules and traditions of succession
Succession to the throne of Kuwait is limited to the descendants of Mubarak Al-Sabah. The position of emir is also traditionally alternated between the two main branches of the Al Sabah family, the Al-Ahmed and Al-Salem branches. The reigning emir must appoint an heir apparent within one year of his accession to the throne; the nominee for consideration as crown prince has to be a senior member of the Al Sabah family.
The prime minister is appointed by the emir.
Emirs of Kuwait (1752–present)
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sheikh Sabah I bin Jaber
| c. 1700–1762 (aged 61–62) | 1752 | 1762 | According to the official Kuwaiti sources, Sabah I was unanimously chosen for the position of sheikh.[3] | Al Sabah | |
Sheikh Abdullah I Al-Sabah
| 1740–1814 (aged 73–74) | 1762 | 3 May 1814 | Youngest son of Sabah I bin Jaber | Al Sabah | |
Sheikh Jaber I Al-Sabah
| 1775–1859 (aged 83–84) | 3 May 1814 | 1859 | Eldest son of Abdullah I Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | |
Sheikh Sabah II Al-Sabah
| 1784–1866 (aged 81–82) | 1859 | November 1866 | Eldest son of Jaber I Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | |
Sheikh Abdullah II Al-Sabah
| 1814–1892 (aged 77–78) | November 1866 | 1892 | Eldest son of Sabah II Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | |
Sheikh Muhammad bin Sabah Al-Sabah
| 1838–1896 (aged 57–58) | May 1892 | 1896 | Second son of Sabah II Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | |
Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah
| 1844 – 28 November 1915 (aged 70–71) | 18 May 1896 | 28 November 1915 | Son of Sabah II Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | |
Sheikh Jaber II Al-Sabah
| 1860 – 5 February 1917 (aged 56–57) | 28 November 1915 | 5 February 1917 | Eldest son of Mubarak Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | |
Sheikh Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah
| 1864 – 23 February 1921 (aged 56–57) | 5 February 1917 | 23 February 1921 | Second son of Mubarak Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | |
Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
| 1885 – 29 January 1950 (aged 64–65) | 29 March 1921 | 29 January 1950 | Son of Jaber II Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | |
Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah
| 1895 – 24 November 1965 (aged 70) | 29 January 1950 | 24 November 1965 | Eldest son of Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | |
Sheikh Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah
| 64) | 12 April 1913 – 31 December 1977 (aged24 November 1965 | 31 December 1977 | Youngest son of Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | |
Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah [lower-alpha 1]
| 79) | 29 June 1926 – 15 January 2006 (aged31 December 1977 | 15 January 2006 | Third son of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | |
Sheikh Saad Al-Salim Al-Sabah
| 1930 – 13 May 2008 (aged 77–78) | 15 January 2006 | 24 January 2006 [lower-alpha 2] | Eldest son of Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | |
Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
| 91) | 16 June 1929 – 29 September 2020 (aged29 January 2006 | 29 September 2020 | Fourth son of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | |
Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
| 25 June 1937 | 30 September 2020 | Incumbent | Sixth son of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah | Al Sabah |
Notes
- In exile in Taif, Saudi Arabia between 2 August 1990 and 15 March 1991, due to the Iraqi invasion and occupation, and the subsequent Gulf War.
- Deposed by the National Assembly and abdicated simultaneously due to illness.[4]
References
- "Kuwait's new emir Sheikh Nawaf to be sworn in on September 30: Parliament speaker". Deccan Herald. 29 September 2020.
- "Show us the money - Oil Revenues, Undisclosed Allocations and Accountability in Budgets of the GCC States" (PDF).
- Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, Oman, and Central Arabia, Geographical, Volume 1, Historical Part 1, John Gordon Lorimer,1905, p1000
- PM set to become new Kuwait emir; CNN, 24 January 2006.