Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah أحمد الجابر الصباح | |
Succession: | 10th Ruler of Kuwait |
Birth Date: | 1885 |
Birth Place: | Sheikhdom of Kuwait |
Death Place: | Kuwait City, Sheikhdom of Kuwait |
Father: | Jaber II |
Spouse: | Bazba bint Salim al-Sabah (Bibi Mariam) Hussa bint Ibrahim al-Ghanim Şükriye Sultan Nura al-Tahus Munira al-Ayyar Delal al-Mutalaqqim Mariam bint Murait al-Huwailah |
Issue: | Abdullah Muhammad Jaber III Sabah IV Khalid Nawaf I Mishal I Mansur[1] Faisal Fahad Munira Hussa Asena Asma Nuria Muniyat Badria Nashmia Al-Jazi Al-Anud Moza Samiha Fariha Mishail Sahira Naima Amthal Nazila |
Reign: | 29 March 1921 – 29 January 1950 |
Predecessor: | Salim I |
Successor: | Abdullah III |
House: | Sabah |
Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (1885 – 29 January 1950) (Arabic: الشيخ أحمد الجابر الصباح) was the tenth ruler of the Sheikhdom of Kuwait from 29 March 1921 until his death on 29 January 1950. He was the longest reigning ruler of Kuwait having reigned for a total 28 years and 305 days.[2]
Ahmad was the son of Jaber II Al-Sabah, who was the eighth ruler of the Sheikhdom of Kuwait between 1915 and 1917. He succeeded his uncle Salem Al-Sabah, the ninth ruler of the Sheikhdom of Kuwait, in February 1921.[2]
Ahmad was the lead cavalry commander, founder of the military of Kuwait and the Directorate of Public Security Force.[3] [4] Ahmad tasked his defense cavalry and infantry to Sheikh Ali Salem Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah in the early 1920s and transferred the command of defense cavalry and infantry to Sheikh Abdullah Jaber Al-Abdullah II Al-Sabah[3] [5] [6] following the 1928 Battle of Al-Regeai.
In 1936, the Palestinian authorities asked for financial aid from Ahmad Al Jaber, but he refused the demand due to treaty relations that did not permit any dealings with countries apart from Britain. Due to this prevailing condition, Kuwaiti royals and other leading figures were barred from financially assisting the Palestinians.[7] Regardless of these orders, many defied them and in July 1936 200 Iraqi dinars were collected to be sent to Palestine. Later that year in October 1936, leading merchant families in Kuwait formed a seven-man committee to aide the Palestinians and called for a public meeting. The intent was to raise awareness for the ongoing strike in Palestine and to gather funds for support. Al-Sabah was unable to stop this and discreetly left town on a hunting trip. [8]
During his last period of his reign he was the minister of finance from 1940 to 1950.[9]
Ahmad was married several times.[10] Notable children include:
Ahmad died in 1950 at Dasman Palace in Kuwait.[17]