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 | |
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| Incumbent | |
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| 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
| 12 April 1913 – 31 December 1977 (aged 64) | 24 November 1965 | 31 December 1977 | Youngest son of Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | ![]() |
| Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah [lower-alpha 1]
| 29 June 1926 – 15 January 2006 (aged 79) | 31 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
| 16 June 1929 – 29 September 2020 (aged 91) | 29 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.

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