Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
Encyclopedia
Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain (born 21 October 1969) is the heir apparent
of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and is deputy supreme commander of the Bahrain defence force. Prince Salman is the eldest son of the current king of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and his first wife Queen Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa.
education at Bahrain School
, and then went on to earn a BA
degree in Political Science
from the American University
in Washington D.C. (1992), followed by a MPhil
degree in History and philosophy of science
from the University of Cambridge
, England
(1994). He has since participated in numerous seminars addressing Persian Gulf
security issues and Middle East
affairs.
Salman established the Crown Prince’s International Scholarship Programme to guide Bahrain’s young people in to the 21st century. Under the programme, the most able high school students from Bahrain are awarded scholarships to continue their higher education overseas, and return to productively contribute to the building of the country’s economy. By allowing the country’s brightest pupils to benefit from foreign expertise and to broaden their experience abroad, it is hoped to prepare young Bahrainis for the challenges of the modern job market, and in particular for employment in fields such as information technology, finance and law.
Unfortunately many scholarships were revoked for Bahraini students participating at the pro-democracy protests in Manchester and London. However, no Crown Prince Scholar had her/his scholarship revoked. On Wednesday 20 April 2011, an open letter produced by National Union of Students Executive member Mark Bergfeld and activists at the University of Manchester Students Union called upon the UK government to provide financial support and protection to Bahraini students in the UK. The letter states, “Universal access to education is a right and should not be denied as a punishment for participating in protest,” and points out that the government has already agreed to provide similar support for Libyan students in the UK at risk of punishment from the Gaddafi regime. Previously revoked scholarships were later reinstated.
Prior to assuming the duties of crown prince, Salman was vice-chairman of the Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research
(BCSR) (1992–1995), undersecretary
of defence at the Ministry of Defence (1995–1999), and chairman of the board of trustees of the BCSR (1995–1999).
Salman was sworn in as Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain on 9 March 1999 and held the post of commander-in-chief
of the Bahrain Defence Force from 22 March 1999 to 6 January 2008.
On 24 February 2001, Salman was appointed as chairman of the committee for the implementation of the National Action Charter
. The Charter was approved by over 98% in a referendum held in February 2001 and provided a comprehensive blueprint for Bahrain’s future development based on transparency, cooperation and popular participation. The committee proposed a number of laws to implement the National Charter, including laws on government procurements and freedom of the press
.
On 3 March 2002, Salman was installed to the post of chairman of the Economic Development Board, which is responsible for formulating and overseeing the Bahrain’s economic development strategy
, and aims to attract foreign direct investment
to Bahrain. Salman has played a major role in promoting national dialogue regarding economic and labor market reforms.
Salman is also chairman of the housing and urban development committee and the gas committee.
On 6 January 2008, his father, the king, issued a royal decree
installing Salman to the post of deputy supreme commander of the Bahrain defence force to oversee the management and implementation of public policy as well as military, administrative, economic and financial plans of the Bahrain defence force and the national guard.
, William Hague
) claimed to have made contact with representatives of all of the country's political parties, including the main Shia opposition parties. As the deputy commander of the defense forces, he claimed to have ordered the army off the streets. As events transpired, however, the Crown Prince either directly ordered or was unable to prevent the army from taking over a hospital, destroying the symbolic Pearl Roundabout
, and implementing a violent crackdown on essentially non-violent pro-democracy protesters. Due to these incidents, he declined the royal wedding of Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton invitation.
Salman also spearheaded a major national initiative to bring Formula One
racing to Bahrain and the Middle East, initiating the construction of the Bahrain International Circuit
. On 4 April 2004, the Bahrain Grand Prix
became the first Formula One grand prix to be held in the Middle East.
Salman holds PADI
Advanced Open Water Diver
scuba diving
certification, is a motorsport
enthusiast, and enjoys skeet shooting
, computers, sports cars, and motorcycles.
, who is the youngest daughter of HE Sheikh Duaij bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Assistant Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Finance & National Economy. Sheikha Hala herself is Honorary President of the Information Centre for Women & Children, and Chair of the Bahrain Society for Mental Retardation. They have two sons and two daughters:
Salman was invested with the title of Crown Prince
and style of His Highness, at the Rifa’a Palace on 9 March 1999. He was raised to the personal title of Prince
, with the personal style of His Royal Highness on 21 October 2009.
in conjunction with the Order of the Eagle Exemplar by the United States Sports Academy
(USSA). The presentation was made by T. J. Rosandich, vice-president and chief operating officer
of the USSA on 28 September 2003 in a ceremony held at the Court of the Crown Prince in Bahrain.
Salman has also been awarded:: Order of Sheikh Isa ibn Salman Al Khalifa (Wisam al-Shaikh ‘Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa), First Class: Order of Ahmad the Conqueror (Wisam Ahmad al-Fateh), First Class: Order of Bahrain (Wisam al-Bahrein), First Class: Hawar Medal (Wisam al-Hawar), First Class: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Renaissance (Wisam al-Nahda): Order of the Liberation (Wisam al-Tahrir), First Class: Collar of the Order of Etihad
Heir apparent
An heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession....
of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and is deputy supreme commander of the Bahrain defence force. Prince Salman is the eldest son of the current king of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and his first wife Queen Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa.
Education
Salman completed his high schoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
education at Bahrain School
Bahrain School
Bahrain School is a United States Department of Defense school located in Juffair, Manama, Bahrain.- Overview :The school is operated by the Bahrain International School Association with the United States Department of Defense Education Activity and takes students from Kindergarten to Twelfth grade...
, and then went on to earn a BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from the American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
in Washington D.C. (1992), followed by a MPhil
Master of Philosophy
The Master of Philosophy is a postgraduate research degree.An M.Phil. is a lesser degree than a Doctor of Philosophy , but in many cases it is considered to be a more senior degree than a taught Master's degree, as it is often a thesis-only degree. In some instances, an M.Phil...
degree in History and philosophy of science
History and philosophy of science
The history and philosophy of science is an academic discipline that encompasses the philosophy of science and the history of science. Although many scholars in the field are trained primarily as either historians or as philosophers, there are degree-granting departments of HPS at several...
from the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
(1994). He has since participated in numerous seminars addressing Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
security issues and Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
affairs.
Salman established the Crown Prince’s International Scholarship Programme to guide Bahrain’s young people in to the 21st century. Under the programme, the most able high school students from Bahrain are awarded scholarships to continue their higher education overseas, and return to productively contribute to the building of the country’s economy. By allowing the country’s brightest pupils to benefit from foreign expertise and to broaden their experience abroad, it is hoped to prepare young Bahrainis for the challenges of the modern job market, and in particular for employment in fields such as information technology, finance and law.
Unfortunately many scholarships were revoked for Bahraini students participating at the pro-democracy protests in Manchester and London. However, no Crown Prince Scholar had her/his scholarship revoked. On Wednesday 20 April 2011, an open letter produced by National Union of Students Executive member Mark Bergfeld and activists at the University of Manchester Students Union called upon the UK government to provide financial support and protection to Bahraini students in the UK. The letter states, “Universal access to education is a right and should not be denied as a punishment for participating in protest,” and points out that the government has already agreed to provide similar support for Libyan students in the UK at risk of punishment from the Gaddafi regime. Previously revoked scholarships were later reinstated.
Career
Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research
The Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research is a center that was established with the mission to serve the Bahraini community by conducting applied research, particularly of a contractual type, and to offer consultancies to leaders and decision makers in both the public and the private sectors...
(BCSR) (1992–1995), undersecretary
Undersecretary
An under secretary is an executive government official in many countries, frequently a career public servant, who typically acts as a senior administrator or second-in-command to a politically-appointed Cabinet Minister or other government official...
of defence at the Ministry of Defence (1995–1999), and chairman of the board of trustees of the BCSR (1995–1999).
Salman was sworn in as Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain on 9 March 1999 and held the post of commander-in-chief
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...
of the Bahrain Defence Force from 22 March 1999 to 6 January 2008.
On 24 February 2001, Salman was appointed as chairman of the committee for the implementation of the National Action Charter
National Action Charter of Bahrain
The National Action Charter of Bahrain is a document put forward by King Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifah of Bahrain in 2001 in order to end the popular 1990s Uprising and return the country to constitutional rule. It was approved in a national referendum in 2001, in which 98.4% of the voters voted in...
. The Charter was approved by over 98% in a referendum held in February 2001 and provided a comprehensive blueprint for Bahrain’s future development based on transparency, cooperation and popular participation. The committee proposed a number of laws to implement the National Charter, including laws on government procurements and freedom of the press
Freedom of the press
Freedom of the press or freedom of the media is the freedom of communication and expression through vehicles including various electronic media and published materials...
.
On 3 March 2002, Salman was installed to the post of chairman of the Economic Development Board, which is responsible for formulating and overseeing the Bahrain’s economic development strategy
Economy of Bahrain
According to the 2011 Index of Economic Freedom published by the Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal, Bahrain has the freest economy in the Middle East and North Africa region and is tenth overall in the world...
, and aims to attract foreign direct investment
Foreign direct investment
Foreign direct investment or foreign investment refers to the net inflows of investment to acquire a lasting management interest in an enterprise operating in an economy other than that of the investor.. It is the sum of equity capital,other long-term capital, and short-term capital as shown in...
to Bahrain. Salman has played a major role in promoting national dialogue regarding economic and labor market reforms.
Salman is also chairman of the housing and urban development committee and the gas committee.
On 6 January 2008, his father, the king, issued a royal decree
Law of Bahrain
The Law of Bahrain is set out in its constitution. Several controversial laws have been passed in the history of the country. The State Security Law of 1974, for example, was used by the government to crush political unrest from 1974 until 2001...
installing Salman to the post of deputy supreme commander of the Bahrain defence force to oversee the management and implementation of public policy as well as military, administrative, economic and financial plans of the Bahrain defence force and the national guard.
2011 Pro Democracy Revolution
During the 2011 pro-democracy revolution, the Crown Prince, in public statements aimed at the western media (and in in talks with the Foreign Secretary of the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, William Hague
William Hague
William Jefferson Hague is the British Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State. He served as Leader of the Conservative Party from June 1997 to September 2001...
) claimed to have made contact with representatives of all of the country's political parties, including the main Shia opposition parties. As the deputy commander of the defense forces, he claimed to have ordered the army off the streets. As events transpired, however, the Crown Prince either directly ordered or was unable to prevent the army from taking over a hospital, destroying the symbolic Pearl Roundabout
Pearl Roundabout
Pearl Roundabout or Lulu Roundabout was a roundabout located near the financial district of Manama, Bahrain...
, and implementing a violent crackdown on essentially non-violent pro-democracy protesters. Due to these incidents, he declined the royal wedding of Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton invitation.
Sports enthusiast
Salman is chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, which oversees sports in Bahrain as well as the extracurricular activities of Bahrain’s youth, which has embarked on a programme to upgrade the sporting facilities in Bahrain.Salman also spearheaded a major national initiative to bring Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
racing to Bahrain and the Middle East, initiating the construction of the Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain International Circuit
The Bahrain International Circuit is a motorsport venue opened in 2004 and used for drag racing, GP2 and the annual Bahrain Grand Prix. The 2004 Grand Prix was the first held in the Middle East. Since 2006, Australian V8 Supercar has been raced at the BIC and the V8 races are named as the Desert 400...
. On 4 April 2004, the Bahrain Grand Prix
Bahrain Grand Prix
The Bahrain Grand Prix is a Formula One Championship race which first took place at the Bahrain International Circuit on 4 April 2004.The Bahrain Grand Prix, sponsored by Gulf Air, made history as the first Formula One Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East...
became the first Formula One grand prix to be held in the Middle East.
Salman holds PADI
Professional Association of Diving Instructors
The Professional Association of Diving Instructors is the world's largest recreational diving membership and diver training organization founded in 1966 by John Cronin and Ralph Erickson...
Advanced Open Water Diver
Advanced Open Water Diver
Advanced Open Water Diver is a scuba diving certification level provided by several diver training agencies, such as Professional Association of Diving Instructors , Scuba Schools International and Underwater Explorers' Federation...
scuba diving
Scuba diving
Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
certification, is a motorsport
Motorsport
Motorsport or motorsports is the group of sports which primarily involve the use of motorized vehicles, whether for racing or non-racing competition...
enthusiast, and enjoys skeet shooting
Skeet shooting
Skeet shooting is one of the three major types of competitive shotgun target shooting sports . There are several types of skeet, including one with Olympic status , and many with only national recognition.- General principles :Skeet is a recreational and competitive activity where...
, computers, sports cars, and motorcycles.
Marriage and children
Prince Salman is married to HH Sheikha Hala bent Daij Al KhalifaSheikha Hala bent Daij Al Khalifa
Sheikha Hala bent Daij Al Khalifa is the wife of Sheikh Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who is the Crown Prince of Bahrain and Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defense Force. Sheikha Hala is the youngest daughter of HE Sheikh Duaij bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Assistant Under-Secretary of the...
, who is the youngest daughter of HE Sheikh Duaij bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Assistant Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Finance & National Economy. Sheikha Hala herself is Honorary President of the Information Centre for Women & Children, and Chair of the Bahrain Society for Mental Retardation. They have two sons and two daughters:
- HH Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, currently attending American UniversityAmerican UniversityAmerican University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
in Washington DC. - HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Salman Al Khalifa (born 1991), educated at Bahrain School (Class of 2009). Graduated from the Royal Military Academy SandhurstRoyal Military Academy SandhurstThe Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
in 2011. - HH Sheikha Fatima - Al Dana bint Salman Al Khalifa
- HH Sheikha Al Joud bint Salman Al Khalifa
Titles and styles
- 21 October 1969 - 6 March 1999: Sheikh Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
- 6 March 1999 - 9 March 1999: His ExcellencyExcellencyExcellency is an honorific style given to certain members of an organization or state.Usually, people styled "Excellency" are heads of state, heads of government, governors, ambassadors, certain ecclesiastics, royalty, aristocracy, and military, and others holding equivalent rank .It is...
Sheikh Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa - 9 March 1999 - 21 October 2009: His Highness Sheikh Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain
- 21 October 2009 – present: His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain
Salman was invested with the title of Crown Prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
and style of His Highness, at the Rifa’a Palace on 9 March 1999. He was raised to the personal title of Prince
Prince
Prince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess...
, with the personal style of His Royal Highness on 21 October 2009.
Honours and awards
Salman has been awarded a number of tokenistic decorations and orders related to his status as a presumptive future monarch and head of state. He was awarded an honorary doctorateHonorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
in conjunction with the Order of the Eagle Exemplar by the United States Sports Academy
United States Sports Academy
The United States Sports Academy is an accredited, sport-specific institution located in Daphne, Alabama. It offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs as well as certificate programs. Founded in 1972, the Academy has provided its sports programs to more than 60 countries around the...
(USSA). The presentation was made by T. J. Rosandich, vice-president and chief operating officer
Chief operating officer
A Chief Operating Officer or Director of Operations can be one of the highest-ranking executives in an organization and comprises part of the "C-Suite"...
of the USSA on 28 September 2003 in a ceremony held at the Court of the Crown Prince in Bahrain.
Salman has also been awarded:: Order of Sheikh Isa ibn Salman Al Khalifa (Wisam al-Shaikh ‘Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa), First Class: Order of Ahmad the Conqueror (Wisam Ahmad al-Fateh), First Class: Order of Bahrain (Wisam al-Bahrein), First Class: Hawar Medal (Wisam al-Hawar), First Class: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Renaissance (Wisam al-Nahda): Order of the Liberation (Wisam al-Tahrir), First Class: Collar of the Order of Etihad