Al-Sabah

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The Al-Sabah (Arabic: الصباح) have been the ruling family of Kuwait since about 1752. Emirs of the Bani Khalid tribe had ruled the region before the Sabah dynasty came to power. The Emir of Kuwait makes all the decisions for the country. Every male member of the ruling family (regardless of his age) is locally referred to as Sheikh and this title is put in front of members' first names as honorifics. The Al-Sabah dynasty is not strictly hereditary, and although many Emirs have succeeded their fathers, the family choose their leader from each succeeding generation, rather than selecting from the children of the current ruler. When the Emir Sheikh Jaber died on 15 January 2006, the crown prince who succeeded him (Sheikh Saad) was a distant cousin.

The Al-Sabah are one of the clans of the Bani Utub tribe.

The Al-Sabah family give out millions of US dollars for charities each year. After the Tsunami hit Asia in December 2004, Kuwait offered millions of dollars in foreign aid, in addition to the $15 million given by the royal family. When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast of the United States, Kuwait was among the first to offer help, pledging $500 Million in aid, in addition to $25 Million given by His Highness.

All members of the royal family receive a monthly and yearly salary from the Amiri Diwan and have diplomatic passports.

Sheikh Mubarak was succeeded as ruler by his son Jaber (1915-17) and another son Salem (1917-21). Subsequent Emirs descended from these two brothers and there has often been tension between the two branches. For this reason, it has become tradition to alternate the position of emir between the two. Sheikh Ahmed Al-Jaber Al Sabah ruled from 1921 until his death in 1950, and Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al Sabah from 1950 to 1965. Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem ruled after the death of his brother Sheikh Abdullah, from 1965 to 1977.

Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah abdicated his position as the Emir of Kuwait on Jan 24 2006.

The Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was then nominated for the position of Emir of Kuwait by invoking the Kuwaiti constitutional Article 3. He was sworn in on January 29 and is the current ruler.

His Highness The Emir appointed his brother ( His Royal Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah) as Crown Price. Sheikh Nawaf (Born 1936) was the Minister of Interior prior to being the Crown Price, and heir to the throne of Kuwait. His Highness the Emir also appointed his nephew (His Royal Highness Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah) as Prime Minister. Sheikh Nasser (Born 1940) was Minister of the Amiri Diwan Affairs before being Prime Minister. Sheikh Nasser's old job (Minister of the Amiri Diwan Affairs) was given to Sheikh Sabah's (The Emir) son, Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Sheikh Nasser (son of the Emir) was Advisor to the Crown Prince (Sheikh Saad, who became Emir shortly then abdicated) prior being Minister of the Amiri Diwan Affairs.

The Al-Sabahs hold several positions, such as the ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Defense, by law.

Contents

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Al-Sabah Dynasty

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Other members of al-Sabah

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See also

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Sources and references

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