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Thursday May 02, 2024

Here's what you need to know about Sheikh Mishal Al-Sabah, Kuwait's new emir

Sheikh Mishal Al-Sabah is named as Kuwait's new emir following death of his brother Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah

By Web Desk
December 16, 2023
Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwaits new emir gestures during a photo session. — X/@tbs
Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait's new emir gestures during a photo session. — X/@tbs

Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was named as Kuwait's new emir, after Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, the 86-year-old former ruler of the oil-rich nation, passed away on Saturday.

On September 27, 1940, Mishal was born into the Sheikhdom of Kuwait to Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the ninth ruler.

Mishal is the eighth son of Ahmad and the paternal younger half-brother of three successive emirs of Kuwait: Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (1977–2006), Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (2006–2020), and Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (2020–2023).

Following his primary schooling at Kuwait's Al Mubarakiya School, Mishal went to the United Kingdom to study at the Hendon Police College, from which he graduated in 1960.

With a degree from Hendon, Mishal started working for the Ministry of Interior (MOI) in Kuwait.

In 2006, Mishal was considered one of the top three decision-makers in the Al-Sabah royal family, shortly after his half-brother Sabah took the throne.

Mishal allegedly turned down increasingly important roles during his tenure to avoid getting involved in political disputes and maintain his relationships with his family.

On April 17, 2023, Crown Prince Mishal announced the dissolution of the Kuwait National Assembly, citing legal authority granted to the emir in response to political turmoil and impasse in Kuwait in a television speech.

Mishal has also represented Kuwait in important international events, including the 2023 wedding of Hussein, the Crown Prince of Jordan, and the 2022 state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in London. was named as Kuwait's new emir, after Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, the 86-year-old former ruler of the oil-rich nation, passed away on Saturday.

On September 27, 1940, Mishal was born into the Sheikhdom of Kuwait to Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the ninth ruler.

Mishal is the eighth son of Ahmad and the paternal younger half-brother of three successive emirs of Kuwait: Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (1977–2006), Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (2006–2020), and Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (2020–2023).

Following his primary schooling at Kuwait's Al Mubarakiya School, Mishal went to the United Kingdom to study at the Hendon Police College, from which he graduated in 1960.

With a degree from Hendon, Mishal started working for the Ministry of Interior (MOI) in Kuwait.

In 2006, Mishal was considered one of the top three decision-makers in the Al-Sabah royal family, shortly after his half-brother Sabah took the throne.

Mishal allegedly turned down increasingly important roles during his tenure to avoid getting involved in political disputes and maintain his relationships with his family.

On April 17, 2023, Crown Prince Mishal announced the dissolution of the Kuwait National Assembly, citing legal authority granted to the emir in response to political turmoil and impasse in Kuwait in a television speech.

Mishal has also represented Kuwait in important international events, including the 2023 wedding of Hussein, the Crown Prince of Jordan, and the 2022 state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in London.