The King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, celebrates his 75th birthday today.
His Majesty was born on 28 January 1950 in Riffa, Bahrain, to the future Emir of Bahrain, Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and Hessa bint Salman Al Khalifa.
He was educated in Bahrain and England before undertaking military training in both the UK and the US.
King Hamad was made Crown Prince of Bahrain by his father on 27 June 1964. He held several positions within the military and Department of Defence and created the Bahrain Air Force.
He took over as Emir of Bahrain in 1999 after the death of his father, bringing with him several political reforms to end political oppression in the country. By 2002, he declared himself King of Bahrain.
There has been controversy regarding branches of Islam running the government. The Sunnis hold many positions, and Shi’ites have called for more equality. The 2011 Arab Spring led to protests in Bahrain in which the government brutally suppressed the dissidents. Violations of human rights resulted in many calling for King Hamad to step down, but he did not give in to the demands. He did commission the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, which was headed by respected human rights lawyer M. Cherif Bassiouni, to investigate what took place during the protests. This garnered praise from the international community.
King Hamad agreed to relations with Israel in 2020, signing an agreement in Washington D.C.
The King has four wives and twelve children. His eldest child, Salmam, by his first wife, is the current heir to the throne.
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