Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah


Sheikh Abdullah III Al-Salim Al-Sabah الشيخ عبد الله الثالث السالم الصباح was the eleventh ruler of Kuwait, the first Emir of the State of Kuwait, and Commander-in-chief of Kuwait Military Forces from 29 January 1950 until his death. He was the eldest son of Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. As the eleventh ruler of the Al Sabah dynasty in Kuwait, he took power after the death of his cousin Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. He 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.
Unlike his predecessors, Abdullah III 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.

Death

Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim died two years later, in 1965 after suffering from a heart attack during the opening session of the National Assembly and was succeeded by his half-brother, Sheikh Sabah III Al-Salim Al-Sabah. He was also the father of Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, who ruled briefly in January 2006, :ar:خالد العبد الله السالم الصباح|Sheikh Khalid Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, and :ar:علي العبد الله السالم الصباح|Sheikh Ali Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, who is a governor.

Honours and awards

National