Sheikh Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the first President of Bahrain, was born on October 21, 1969, in Manama, Bahrain. A member of the Al Khalifa dynasty, he is the eldest son of Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, and Sheikha Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa.
- Sheikh Salman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Delaware and a Master of Arts degree in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
- Prior to his election as President, he served as the Crown Prince of Bahrain, the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Minister of Defense.
- In 2002, he founded the Crown Prince Center for Training and Development, which focuses on providing vocational training and entrepreneurship opportunities to Bahraini citizens.
As President, Sheikh Salman has been credited with promoting economic diversification, implementing fiscal reforms, and improving the country’s infrastructure. He has also been a vocal advocate for human rights and democracy in the region.
- Sheikh Salman is a recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Order of Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Order of Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and the Order of Ahmed Al Fateh.
- He is fluent in Arabic, English, and French and is an avid sports fan, particularly cricket and football.
- He is married to Sheikha Hala bint Dhiyab Al Khalifa, and they have four children together.
Sheikh Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa is a respected leader who is widely admired for his vision, leadership, and dedication to the people of Bahrain. He continues to play a vital role in the development and prosperity of his country.
Emblem of Bahrain
To enrich your insights into presidential figures worldwide, also explore some prominent first presidents from other countries, such as Bahamas, Azerbaijan and Austria. Delving into the leadership journeys of these figures can offer valuable perspectives on their historical significance and pivotal roles in shaping global politics.
![Bahrain ( bah-RAYN, ; Arabic: البحرين, romanized: al-Baḥrayn, locally [æl baħˈreːn] ), officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in West Asia. It is situated on the Persian Gulf, and comprises a small archipelago made up of 50 natural islands and an additional 33 artificial islands, centered on Bahrain Island which makes up around 83 per cent of the country's landmass. Bahrain is situated between Qatar and the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia, to which it is connected by the King Fahd Causeway. The current population of Bahrain is 1,501,635 as of May 14, 2023, based on elaborations of the latest United Nations data, of whom 712,362 are Bahraini nationals. Bahrain spans some 760 square kilometres (290 sq mi), and is the third-smallest nation in Asia after the Maldives and Singapore. The capital and largest city is Manama.
Bahrain is the site of the ancient Dilmun civilization. It has been famed since antiquity for its pearl fisheries, which were considered the best in the world into the 19th century. Bahrain was one of the earliest areas to be influenced by Islam, during the lifetime of Muhammad in 628 AD. Following a period of Arab rule, Bahrain was ruled by the Portuguese Empire from 1521 until 1602, when they were expelled by Shah Abbas the Great of the Safavid Iran. In 1783, the Bani Utbah clan captured Bahrain from Nasr Al-Madhkur and it has since been ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family, with Ahmed al Fateh as Bahrain's first hakim.
In the late 1800s, following successive treaties with the British, Bahrain became a protectorate of the United Kingdom. In 1971, it declared independence. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared an Islamic constitutional monarchy in 2002. In 2011, the country experienced protests inspired by the regional Arab Spring. Bahrain's ruling Sunni Muslim Al Khalifa royal family has been criticised for violating the human rights of groups including dissidents, political opposition figures, and its majority Shia Muslim population.Bahrain developed the first post-oil economy in the Persian Gulf, the result of decades of investing in the banking and tourism sectors; many of the world's largest financial institutions have a presence in the country's capital. It is recognised by the World Bank as a high-income economy. Bahrain is a member of the United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement, Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Bahrain is a Dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/Flag_of_Bahrain.svg)
The official residence and symbol of the Bahrain President
10 Iconic Presidents Who Shaped Bahrain’s History
Here are 10 of the most popular presidents from Bahrain:
- Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa
- Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
- Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
- Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa
- Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa
- Shaikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Khalifa
- Shaikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa
- Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa
- Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa
- Shaikh Salman bin Abdullah Al Khalifa
Bahrain, a small island nation located in the Persian Gulf, has had several influential leaders throughout its history. The Al Khalifa family has ruled the country since the 18th century and has produced many notable presidents. Here, we highlight 10 of the most popular presidents from Bahrain:
1. Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa: Shaikh Isa was the emir of Bahrain from 1961 until his death in 1999. He is widely revered as the founding father of modern Bahrain and is credited with leading the country through a period of economic and social development.
2. Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa: Shaikh Khalifa served as the prime minister of Bahrain from 1971 until his death in 2020, making him the world’s longest-serving prime minister. He played a key role in shaping Bahrain’s economy and was known for his focus on education and healthcare.
3. Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa: Shaikh Hamad succeeded his father, Shaikh Isa, as the emir of Bahrain in 1999. He is widely regarded as a reformist leader and introduced significant political, economic, and social changes during his reign.
4. Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa: Shaikh Salman is the current crown prince of Bahrain and the deputy supreme commander of the Bahrain Defense Force. He is known for his efforts to promote economic diversification and improve the standard of living in the country.
5. Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa: Shaikh Mohammed served as the minister of oil and gas affairs in Bahrain for many years and played a crucial role in the development of the country’s energy sector.
6. Shaikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Khalifa: Shaikh Abdullah is a prominent figure in Bahrain’s banking sector and has held several key positions in the financial industry. He is known for his expertise in finance and has played a significant role in Bahrain’s economic growth.
7. Shaikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa: Shaikh Khalid is the current prime minister of Bahrain, having assumed the position in 2019. He has a background in finance and has been instrumental in implementing economic reforms to attract foreign investment and boost the private sector.
8. Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa: Shaikh Salman is a member of the Al Khalifa royal family and has served in various government positions. He has made significant contributions to the development of Bahrain’s transportation and infrastructure sectors.
9. Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa: Shaikh Abdullah is an influential member of the royal family and has held several high-ranking positions in the government. He has been actively involved in promoting sports and youth development in Bahrain.
10. Shaikh Salman bin Abdullah Al Khalifa: Shaikh Salman is the current minister of finance and national economy in Bahrain. He has played a key role in implementing fiscal reforms and maintaining the country’s financial stability.
