Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa (Arabic: ناصر بن حمد آل خليفة; born 8 May 1987) is a member of the Bahraini royal family, commander of Bahrain's Royal Guard[1][2] president of the Bahrain Olympic Committee and the head of the government's Supreme Council for Youth and Sports.[3] He is the third in line of the heir apparent of the Kingdom of Bahrain. In April 2021, he was appointed as chairman of the NOGA Holding.[4][5]

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa
Born (1987-05-08) 8 May 1987
Riffa, Bahrain
SpouseShaikha bint Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum
HouseAl Khalifa
FatherHamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
MotherSheia bint Hassan Al Khrayyesh Al Ajmi
Military career
Service/branch Royal Guard
Years of service2006–present
RankMajor general
UnitBahrain Royal Guards
Commands heldCommander of the Royal Guard
Battles/warsYemeni Civil War
Styles of
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa
Reference styleHis Highness
Spoken styleYour Highness
Alternative styleSheikh

Early life and education

Al Khalifa is the fourth-born son of the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa with Sheia bint Hassan Al Khrayyesh Al Ajmi, his second wife.[6] He was educated in Bahrain at Ibn Khuldoon National School and then attended Sandhurst Military Academy in the United Kingdom, graduating in August 2006.[7] He is currently serving in the Bahrain Defence Force and leads the Bahrain National Endurance Team.[8]

Military service

Al Khalifa is the commander of the Bahrain Defence Force Royal Guard.[9] He participated in the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen.[10] In July 2020, his father King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa appointed him as Secretary General of the Supreme Defence Council.[3]

Endurance racing

In December 2006, Al Khalifa led the Bahrain National Endurance team in the Doha Asian Games. He won a silver medal in the individual race and the six-member Bahraini squad came second in the overall team event.[11]

In September 2007, Al Khalifa led the Bahrain National Endurance team in the European Open held at Portugal. He came in 8th place in the individual race and the Bahrain team came in second place and won a silver medal.[12]

President of the Olympic Committee

Al Khalifa is the president of the Bahrain Olympic Committee.[13] According to Hussain Abdulla, director of Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain, Al Khalifa created a special commission that prosecuted 150 members of the sporting community for peaceful demonstrations.[10]

Charity

Al Khalifa is chairman of the board of trustees of the Royal Charity Organisation (RCO).[14]

Allegations of torture

Al Khalifa became the subject of allegations of torture after anti-government protests in 2011.[15] In 2014, a Bahraini citizen sought the arrest of Al Khalifa in the United Kingdom following allegations that he was directly involved in the torture of three prisoners in Bahrain during a pro-democracy uprising there in 2011. In a statement, the Bahraini government denied the accusations and called them "politically motivated", however it also recognized its responsibility to investigate any reasonable allegation.[16] Several NGOs criticized his participation at the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France.[17] The high court in London ruled that Al Khalifa is not immune from torture claims.[18] In 2017, activists asked the United States to suspend a diplomatic visa for Al Khalifa over the allegations.[19]

Personal life

Al Khalifa married in Dubai on 28 September 2009 (nikah ceremony) and 2 October 2009 (milcha reception) to Shaikha bint Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum, a daughter of the Emir of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.[20] They have one daughter and four sons.[6]

Honours and awards

Ancestry

References
  1. "Captain Shaikh Nasser promoted to colonel and appointed BDF Royal Guard Commander". Bahrain News Agency. 19 June 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  2. "Colonel Shaikh Nasser To Head Royal Guard". Bahrain Tribune. 20 June 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  3. "King of Bahrain appoints Shaikh Nasser as Security Defence Council Secretary-General". Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre. 5 July 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  4. "King of Bahrain appoints Shaikh Nasser as Security Defence Council Secretary-General". Reuters. 23 April 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  5. "HM King issues decree 54/2021, appointing Nogaholding board chairman". National Oil and Gas Authority. 23 April 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  6. "Bahrain: Birth of Nasser Bin Hamad's son Hamdan". Gulf States Newsletter. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  7. "King of Bahrain appoints Shaikh Nasser as Security Defence Council Secretary-General". Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre. 5 July 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  8. "Kuwait: 2009 Shk Nasser bin Hamad Al Kalifa Endurance Cup". Endurance. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
  9. "Bahrain Royal Guard Special Force marks 10th anniversary". Bidec News. 3 July 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  10. "Bahrain's intolerant prince is now poster boy for regime whitewashing". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  11. "Crown Prince congratulates Shaikh Nasser". Bahrain News Agency. 14 December 2006. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  12. "Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa's CV". Al Furrsan. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  13. "Bahrain Olympic Committee". Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  14. "H.H. Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa". nasseralkhalifa.bh. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  15. "Pressure Builds on Sheikh Salman to Respond to Human Rights Allegations". Huffington Post. 21 January 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  16. Aboulenein, Ahmed (7 October 2014). "Bahrain prince does not enjoy immunity over torture claims, UK court rules". Reuters. London. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  17. "Un prince bahreïni accusé de torture, pas inquiété par la France". Libération (in French). 1 September 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  18. "Thousands of Ramadan bags to be handed out". BBC News. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  19. "Activists ask US to suspend Bahrain prince's diplomatic visa". Associated Press. 1 November 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  20. "Sheikh Mohammed". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
  21. "Le onorificenze della Repubblica Italiana". quirinale.it. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
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