Farewell to the Emir: Kuwait Mourns Nawaf Al-Sabah
Emir of Kuwait Nawaf passed away after being hospitalized in November. His brother, Sheikh Mishaal, becomes the new emir of the country, Kuwait declares mourning
At the age of 86, the ruler of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, passed away.
He had held the position of emir since 2020 and was a key figure in the country's political life. In November, Sheikh Nawaf was hospitalized for unspecified reasons and, unfortunately, did not recover.
His younger brother, Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who was named the crown prince in 2020, became the next Emir of Kuwait. At the age of 83, he became one of the oldest crown princes in the world at the time of his accession.
Kuwait declared an official mourning period of 40 days and the closure of official institutions for three days starting today (Saturday). Before the announcement of his death, state television switched to broadcasting Quran readings.
Sheikh Nawaf was born in 1937 and was the fifth son of the 10th ruler of the emirate, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who ruled Kuwait for almost 30 years in the first half of the 20th century.
Nawaf began his political career at the age of 25, serving as the governor of the Hawalli province, and then held various high cabinet posts throughout his life, including leading the Ministry of Defense during Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990 and subsequent leadership of the Ministries of Interior and Social Services.
His ascension to the throne in 2006 broke the tradition of alternating power between the Al-Jaber and Al-Salim clans, marking a significant event in Kuwait's history.
These clans are descendants of two former emirs and the founder of modern Kuwait, Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah.
Kuwait, maintaining a selected parliamentary system, continues to remain under the rule of the emir, who possesses extensive powers in managing the country.