NOVEMBER 2020 ISSUE Crown Prince of Bahrain Takes Helm as PM Bahrain Appoints Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa as New Prime Minister NDA NEWS CrownA Letter Prince from AppointedOur Founder PM Bahrain’s crown prince, Sheikh Salman bin born on 21 October 1969, and is the eldest son Hamad Al Khalifa, has taken over as prime of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa minister after the death of his great uncle who and Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint held the job for half a century. Ibrahim Al Khalifa. Educated in Bahrain, he subsequently attended the American University The Al-Khalifa family has reigned since 1783. in Washington DC, graduating with a BA in Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al Khalifa is the world’s longest serving prime minister, who sadly passed away on Wednesday 11th November at age 84. Leaders from neighbouring countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, offered condolences to King Hamad and paid tribute to Sheikh Khalifa. “The late Prince Sheikh Khalifa... was a man of historic stature whose name was associated with the modern transformation of Bahrain and Public Administration, and went on to pursue the Arabian Gulf,” UAE Minister of State for postgraduate studies at the University of Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said on Twitter. Cambridge, where he earned a Masters in He added: “He was a man of solid positions and Philosophy and History. His Royal Highness was principles.” sworn in as Crown Prince of the State of Bahrain on 9 March 1999, following his father’s accession to the throne as Amir of Bahrain, and assumed the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force on 22 March the same year. Prince Salman was married to Sheikha Hala bint Duaij Al Khalifa until 2005. Sheikha Hala was the youngest daughter of Sheikh Duaij bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Assistant The new premier, Crown Prince Sheikh Salman Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance and bin Hamad Al Khalifa, 51, is part of a younger National Economy. Hala was honorary generation of Gulf rulers, and has been viewed president of the Information Centre for as the ruling family’s leading proponent of social Women and Children, and Chair of the and economic reforms. His Royal Highness Bahrain Society for Mental Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa was born on Retardation. She also began the “Be Free” campaign to protect children from participation. Furthermore, as Chairman of the abuse. Sadly, she passed away in June 2018, but Economic Development Board, His Royal not before she bore Prince Salman two sons and Highness has initiated a wide range of policy two daughters: Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, initiatives aimed at broadening the economic Mohammed bin Salman Al Khalifa, Fatima – Al base, enhancing business competitiveness and Dana bint Salman Al Khalifa and Al Jude bint improving education and skills training. Salman Al Khalifa. Now, the 51-year-old’s appointment, which the official Bahrain News Agency said will take effect immediately, makes crown prince Salman only the second prime minister in Bahraini history. Coming from a new generation of Western-educated Gulf leaders, Prince Salman has chosen to build bridges with other countries - the appointment of Prince Salman is a sign the government could be softening its stance on the Prince Salman has, throughout his reign as opposition to end years of political tensions, and crown prince, pushed to elevate the younger could chart a new path for reform and generation. As part of his personal drive to communal harmony in Bahrain. Those who have provide greater opportunities and skills spoken with Prince Salman have been struck by development for Bahrain’s youth, in 1999 His the sincerity of his commitment to reform and Royal Highness established the Crown Prince International Scholarship Programme (CPISP). CPISP gives Bahrain's most gifted and talented youth the opportunity to study at some of the world’s leading educational institutions. To date, more than 140 students from across Bahraini society have been awarded the scholarship, and have had the opportunity to study abroad including the UK, US and France. Playing a key role in His Majesty King Hamad’s reform programme, His Royal Highness Prince Salman was appointed as Chairman of the Committee for Implementation of the National Charter in 2001. The Charter provides a comprehensive blueprint for Bahrain’s future development based on the principles of transparency, co-operation and popular inclusion. With his new power and Washington’s support, the likelihood of Prince Salman’s success in this new position is very likely. Creating a more hopeful future for the Bahraini people and promoting social harmony, Prince Salman could now eliminate the threat of violence and terrorism. We look forward to watching him grasp opportunities for the people of Bahrain and creating new and exciting change. 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