Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa

In this Arabic name, the surname is Al Khalifa.
Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa
Nasser in 2023
Born (1987-05-08) 8 May 1987
Riffa, Bahrain
Spouse
Shaikha bint Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum
​
​
(m. 2009)​
IssueSheema
Hamad
Mohammad
Hamdan
Khalid
HouseKhalifa
FatherHamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
MotherSheia bint Hassan Al Khrayyesh Al Ajmi
Military career
Branch Royal Guard
Service years2006–present
RankLieutenant General
UnitBahrain Royal Guards
CommandsCommander of the Royal Guard
ConflictsYemeni Civil War
Styles of
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa
Reference styleHis Highness
Spoken styleYour Highness
Alternative styleSheikh

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa (Arabic: ناصر بن حمد آل خليفة; born 8 May 1987), also known as Prince Nasser, is a member of the Bahraini royal family, Commander of Bahrain's Royal Guard,[1][2] deputy chairman of the Higher Committee for Energy and Natural Resources[3] and the head of the government's Supreme Council for Youth and Sports.[4] He is the third in line of the heir apparent of the Kingdom of Bahrain. In April 2021, he was appointed as chairman of Bapco Energies.[5][6][7]

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.[8] He was educated in Bahrain at Ibn Khuldoon National School. He attended Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom (2005-2006),[9] and achieved Second Lieutenants Rank. He also attended the U.S Marine Corps Command and Staff College; Quantico VA, USA (2010-2011).[10] He is currently serving in the Bahrain Defence Force and leads the Bahrain National Endurance Team.[11]

Career

Military service

Al Khalifa started his career as a platoon commander in the Motorized Infantry Company of the Royal Guard Battalion. After that he went on to become the Rapid reaction force commander in the Royal Guard, where he served from 2008 - 2011,[12] and is currently the commander of the Bahrain Defence Force Royal Guard since he was appointed in 2011.[13] As part of these development initiatives, he established an elite contingent, the Special Quick Reaction Force, within the Royal Guard. He participated in the Saudi-led Operations Decisive Storm and Restoring Hope by commanding the first Royal Guard Task Force in 2015 which conducted operations in both Ma’rib and Aden.[14]

In July 2020, his father King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa appointed him as Secretary General of the Supreme Defence Council.[4] As the National Security Advisor and General Secretary of the Supreme Council for Defence, he manages royal directives, charged by the king, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.[15]

Endurance racing and athletics

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.[16] 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.[17] In October 2018, Al Khalifa competed at the 2018 Ironman World Championship and completed the race in 57th place of his category that was held in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.[18] In July 2022, Al Khalifa riding his horse Lola de Jalima, captained the Royal Endurance Team that won the 120-kilometre race and the 160-kilometre race, clocking 5 hours, 48 minutes and 59 seconds in Slovakia.[19] In October 2022, Al Khalifa won gold at the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Horses riding the mare Lola de Jalima in Vic, Spain.[20][21] Earlier in June 2024, he led the Royal Endurance Team to victory in the 120-kilometer race at the Šamorín Championship in Slovakia, showcasing his exceptional leadership and competitive spirit.[22] In September 2024, Shaikh Nasser achieved a significant milestone by winning his second consecutive title at the 160-kilometer FEI World Endurance Championship held in Monpazier, France.[23]

Energy and natural resources

Al Khalifa was appointed in 2021 as the deputy chairman of the higher committee for energy and natural resources. The Supreme Committee for Energy and Natural Resource's responsibility is to review the national energy strategy of the Kingdom of Bahrain.[24] The committee is also responsible for setting the strategy of the current oil expansion project in Bahrain including the Bapco Modernization Programme (BMP).[25] He became the chairman of (Nogaholding) where the countries energy industry is transitioning towards sustainable energy production.[26]

In March 2024, Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, as Chairman of Bapco Energies, spearheaded a strategic partnership with TotalEnergies to optimize the operations of Bahrain's Sitra refinery and enhance petroleum product trading. This collaboration aligns with Bahrain's National Energy Strategy, emphasizing the diversification of energy resources and the promotion of sustainability.[27]

Arab Spring

Al Khalifa became the subject of allegations of torture after anti-government protests in 2011, during the Arab Spring in Bahrain. At the time, he issued a royal decree permitting the army to establish military courts to deal with democracy protesters, including a committee set up to investigate "breaches by individuals associated with the sports movement during the recent unfortunate events in the Kingdom of Bahrain". The Bahrain Football Association, headed by Sheikh Salman, threatened punishments for those who had participated in the protests, or any other act that aims to "overthrow the regime or insult national figures". Around 150 athletes and administrators were arrested under the decree, and some alleged that they had endured torture during their detention.[28]

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. The Bahraini government has consistently denied the allegations, describing them as politically motivated. The government reaffirmed its condemnation of torture and highlighted its commitment to investigating credible allegations.[29]

Several NGOs criticized his participation at the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France.[30] The high court in London ruled that Al Khalifa is not immune from torture claims.[31] In 2017, activists asked the United States to suspend a diplomatic visa for Al Khalifa over the allegations.[32] In response to these concerns, the U.S. State Department reaffirmed Bahrain's status as "an important U.S. partner," emphasizing the bilateral relationship's foundation on shared interests, including counterterrorism, regional security, and countering Iran's influence in the Middle East. The State Department did not address the specific allegations against Shaikh Nasser but highlighted Bahrain's strategic importance in U.S. foreign policy.[33]

Personal life

Al Khalifa married in Dubai on 28 September 2009 (nikah ceremony) and 2 October 2009 (milcha reception) to Shaikha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a daughter of the Ruler of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.[34] They have one daughter and four sons.[8]

Ancestry

Ancestors of Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa
8. Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa
4. Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa
9. Mouza bint Hamad Al Khalifa
2. Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
10. Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa
5. Hessa bint Salman Al Khalifa
1. Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa
6. Hassan Al Khrayyesh Al Ajmi
3. Sheia bint Hassan Al Khrayyesh Al Ajmi

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. ^ "Bahrain News Agency". www.bna.bh. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  4. ^ a b "King of Bahrain appoints Shaikh Nasser as Security Defence Council Secretary-General". Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre. 5 July 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  5. ^ Saba, Yousef (16 November 2021). "Bahrain's nogaholding aims to broaden energy interests beyond oil and gas". Reuters. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  6. ^ "King of Bahrain appoints Shaikh Nasser as Security Defence Council Secretary-General". Reuters. 23 April 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  7. ^ "HM King issues decree 54/2021, appointing Nogaholding board chairman". National Oil and Gas Authority. 23 April 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Bahrain: Birth of Nasser Bin Hamad's son Hamdan". Gulf States Newsletter. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  9. ^ "King of Bahrain appoints Shaikh Nasser as Security Defence Council Secretary-General". Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre. 5 July 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  10. ^ "HM King Hamad congratulates Shaikh Nasser – 24×7 News". Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  11. ^ "Kuwait: 2009 Shk Nasser bin Hamad Al Kalifa Endurance Cup". Endurance. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
  12. ^ "الملك ينيب القائد العام لحضور منافسات الماراثون العسكري28". Alayam.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  13. ^ "Bahrain Royal Guard Special Force marks 10th anniversary". Bidec News. 3 July 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  14. ^ "Bahrain's King: My sons will be sent to help coalition forces in Yemen". Al Arabiya English. 7 September 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  15. ^ "Bahrain News Agency". www.bna.bh. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  16. ^ "Crown Prince congratulates Shaikh Nasser". Bahrain News Agency. 14 December 2006. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  17. ^ "Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa's CV". Al Furrsan. Retrieved 24 July 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  18. ^ Desk, IRONMAN. "Other Sports: IRONMAN". www.ironman.com. Retrieved 11 January 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  19. ^ "Bahrain News Agency". www.bna.bh. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  20. ^ "Hh Sh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa". Fédération Equestre Internationale. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  21. ^ "HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad triumphs in FEI Endurance World Championship". Bahrain News Agency. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  22. ^ "HH Sheikh Nasser Leads Royal Endurance Team to Victory in Slovakia". Local BH. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  23. ^ "HH Sheikh Nasser Wins FEI World Endurance Championship". Biz Bahrain. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  24. ^ "لجنة الطاقة والثروات الطبيعية تستعرض مقترح الاستراتيجية الوطنية للطاقة". Watan (in Arabic). 21 July 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  25. ^ "Bapco - Bapco Modernization Programme (BMP)". www.bapco.net. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  26. ^ "Environment Sustainable Goals | Kingdom of Bahrain". www.nogaholding.com. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  27. ^ "Shaikh Nasser leads strategic partnership with TotalEnergies". Nasser.bh. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  28. ^ Dorsey, James M. (21 January 2016). "Pressure Builds on Sheikh Salman to Respond to Human Rights Allegations". Huffington Post. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  29. ^ "UK High Court Quashes Immunity Status of Bahrain's Prince Nasser for Prosecution on Allegations of Torture". BIRD. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  30. ^ "Un prince bahreïni accusé de torture, pas inquiété par la France". Libération (in French). 1 September 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  31. ^ "Thousands of Ramadan bags to be handed out". BBC News. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  32. ^ "Activists ask US to suspend Bahrain prince's diplomatic visa". Associated Press. 1 November 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  33. ^ "U.S. Describes Bahrain as Strategic Partner Amid Controversy". Associated Press. 1 November 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  34. ^ "Sheikh Mohammed". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
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