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Kuwait loses the dean of the Al-Sabah family
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 12: Kuwait mourned the passing of the dean of the Al-Sabah family, His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Chief of the National Guard, who passed away at the age of 98 after a lifetime of service to his country, strengthening its security, unity, and cohesion.
Throughout his career, the late Sheikh Salem held numerous official and honorary positions. He was also known for his charitable works and community projects, many of which he established at his own expense, both within Kuwait and abroad.
Born in 1926 in the Al-Shuyukh neighborhood in the heart of Kuwait City, Sheikh Salem began his education according to the traditions of the time in the Al-Khamis neighborhood, under the supervision of Mullah Hamada and later Mullah Murshid Mohammed Al-Sulaiman. After receiving his traditional education, Sheikh Salem joined Al-Mubarakiya School, the first regular school established in Kuwait, and later moved to study at Al-Ahmadiyya School, where he received instruction in both literary and scientific subjects from the teachers of these schools.
After the discovery of oil in the early 1950s and the subsequent revenue that contributed to Kuwait’s development, Sheikh Salem joined the civil service. During this period, he headed numerous projects focused on modernizing Kuwait and introducing modern and civil lifestyles.
In the mid-1950s, Sheikh Salem began his career alongside the late Sheikh Fahad Al-Salem Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, serving as Vice President to Sheikh Fahad, who was the Head of the Municipality and Public Works Departments. Sheikh Salem remained in this position until he became President of the Construction Council in 1959. One of his key responsibilities in this role was planning, which played a significant part in Kuwait’s renaissance and development. Sheikh Salem also assumed the presidency of the Public Works Department, overseeing the implementation of many construction projects.
In the early 1960s, Sheikh Salem became Chairman of the Municipal Council, a position traditionally held by a member of the ruling Al-Sabah family. He was entrusted with tasks related to organization, architecture, public health, cleanliness, beautification, and the establishment of new urban complexes.
After Kuwait’s independence in 1961, Sheikh Salem contributed as a member of the Constituent Assembly, which was responsible for drafting the constitution. At that time, he was appointed Minister of Public Works in Kuwait’s first government formed after independence, during the reign of the late Emir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, may God bless his soul. Sheikh Salem continued in this role during the second government formed in 1963, a time of significant urban development in Kuwait, and held the position until 1964. In 1963, he also became the first honorary president of the Kuwait Society of Engineers.
As a culmination of his national service, Sheikh Salem was appointed Chief of the National Guard in 1967, where he worked to establish it as a vital national entity responsible for enhancing security and safety in the country, consolidating stability across its regions, and developing its personnel and facilities.
During his presidency of the National Guard, Sheikh Salem was committed to enhancing its role in supporting the army in defending the homeland against any aggressors and assisting the police forces in maintaining security and stability. He also focused on protecting the home front against all threats, securing vital targets and facilities in the country, and ensuring the National Guard was constantly prepared to fulfill any other missions assigned by the Supreme Defense Council.
In addition to his role as President of the National Guard, Sheikh Salem held several other security and military positions. He was a member of the Supreme Defense Council since 1969 and a member of the National Security Council since 2005.
In recognition of Sheikh Salem’s significant contributions to Kuwait’s development and his efforts to strengthen the country’s position, the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God bless his soul, issued an Amiri order on December 1, 2004, granting Sheikh Salem the title of His Highness.
Beyond his official duties, Sheikh Salem was deeply involved in community service and charitable activities. He funded numerous projects both inside and outside Kuwait, including a donation in 2007 of 100 million dinars to needy Kuwaitis and families of martyrs, and ten million dinars to the families of martyrs who had fallen in battles and wars.
In his dedication to supporting culture and knowledge, Sheikh Salem launched the His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Informatics Competition in 2000, which has become a distinguished event at both local and regional levels. The competition aims to spread electronic awareness and encourage talent in the field of information technology.
Sheikh Salem had a deep interest in nature and the environment, with a strong passion for the desert, hunting trips, and marine hobbies. He was also known for his interest in camels, owning some of the finest specimens.
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