The Kingdom of Bahrain mourns the demise of our great leader HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. As the longest-serving prime minister of any government in the world, he led the island Kingdom’s government from 1971 to 2020. He guided the Kingdom to overcome many struggles including the 2011 Arab Spring protests.
The paternal uncle of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and granduncle of HRH Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Prince Khalifa was born as the second son of Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and his wife Mouza bint Hamad Al Khalifa. He was the younger brother of the previous Emir Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
The son of Bahrain’s former ruler, Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who ruled from 1942 to 1961, Prince Khalifa learned governance from his father. He started his career as a member of the Education Council from 1956 to 1958 and served as the Chairman between 1958 and 1961. He later served as the Director of the Finance Department (1961–1966), President of the Electricity Board (1961), Chair of the Manama Municipal Council (1962–1967), Head of the Bahrain Monetary Council (1964), Chair of The Joint Committee For Economic And Financial Studies, Committee Member for the Register of Commerce, Chairman of the Administrative Affairs Council (1967–1969), Board Member of the Bahrain Monetary Agency and Chairperson of the State Council (1972–1974), Head of the State Council (1972), and Head of the supreme Defence Council (1977).
Prince Khalifa was appointed as Prime Minister by his brother Emir Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, in 1971. Therefore, he was assigned the control of government and economy, while his brother, the Emir, was involved in diplomatic and ceremonial affairs.Â
Prince Khalifa played a key role in Bahrain’s political and economic affairs for more than four decades.
Prince Khalifa received a World Peace Culture Award on 6 August 2017. The United Nations flag was flown half-mast at the UN headquarters in New York to mourn His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. The spokesperson of António Guterres, the UN Secretary General, expressed condolences.
Condolences from all over the world poured in as the Kingdom mourns the loss of its longest serving leader. By order of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Royal Court mourns His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, who passed away at Mayo Clinic in the United States of America.
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was at the forefront of those who received the body of the late His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa upon arrival to the country on Thursday, November 12th.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and Prime Minister, senior Royal Family members, in addition to senior officers of the Bahrain Defence Force, Interior Ministry and National Guard, were also present.
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa performed the funeral prayer for late His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa at the Shaikh Isa bin Salman Mosque in Riffa on Friday, November 13th.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and Prime Minister also performed the funeral prayer, along with senior members of the Royal Family, senior officers of the Bahrain Defence Force, Interior Ministry and National Guard.
HM the King then received condolences, in the presence of HRH the Crown Prince, on the death of late His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, from senior members of the Royal Family.
They offered to HM the King deepest condolences, praying to Allah the Almighty to rest the soul of the deceased in vast paradise, protect HM the King and bless him with good health and happiness.
HM the King thanked them all for their sincere condolences, sympathy and noble feelings, praying to Allah the Almighty to rest the soul of the deceased in vast paradise. HM the King ordered the announcement of an official mourning for a week during which flags will be flown at half-mast.
Government ministries and departments will be closed for three days starting Thursday.
May Allah rest the soul of the deceased in eternal peace. From Allah we come and to Allah we return.
