| Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah عبد الله السالم الصباح | |
| Birth Date: | 1895 |
| Birth Place: | Sheikhdom of Kuwait |
| Death Place: | Kuwait City, Kuwait |
| Succession: | 1st Emir of the State of Kuwait |
| Reign: | 19 June 1961 – 24 November 1965 |
| Predecessor: | Himself as ruler |
| Successor: | Sabah III Al-Salim Al-Sabah |
| Succession1: | 11th Ruler of the Sheikhdom of Kuwait |
| Reign1: | 29 January 1950 – 18 June 1961 |
| Coronation1: | 25 February 1950 |
| Predecessor1: | Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah |
| Successor1: | Himself as emir |
| Issue: | Saad Al-Salim Al-Sabah |
| Father: | Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah |
| Mother: | Sheikha Mariam bint Jarrah Al-Sabah |
| House: | Sabah |
Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah (1895 – 24 November 1965) was the eleventh ruler of the Sheikhdom of Kuwait from 1950 to 1961 and the first Emir of the State of Kuwait after the country gained its independence from Great Britain on 19 June 1961.
Abdullah was the eldest son of Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. He was the minister of finance from 1939 to 1940.[1] He took power after the death of his cousin Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and also ruled as regent upon the death of his father until the election of Sheikh Ahmad. The anniversary of his coronation, 25 February, serves as Kuwait's national day.[2] Unlike his predecessors, Abdullah was more pro-Arab than pro-British. He effectively ended the British "protectorate" status of Kuwait by signing a treaty with the British on 19 June 1961. He is regarded as the founder of modern Kuwait. He introduced the Constitution of Kuwait in 1962, followed by the Parliament in 1963.[3] He is regarded as having been more committed to constitutionalism and parliamentary democracy than successive rulers.[4]
Abdullah Al-Salim died on November 24, 1965, after suffering from a heart attack during the opening session of the National Assembly.