GOLDEN WEDDING IN BAHRAIN

Today is a special date for the senior Royals of the Gulf Kingdom of Bahrain. Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country's first and current King has reached the 50th anniversary of his first marriage to Sheikha Sabika (or Sabeeka) bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, his senior wife and first cousin. Though in private the ocassion may be commemorated, there will be no public celebrations of this milestone, as the Al Khalifa dynasty, which rules over Bahrain since 1783, follows the strict rules of Sunni Islam's doctrine, considering personal & family dates as not a matter of major celebration. So... let's have a look to this Middle East' Royal couple!

Sheikh Hamad was born on 28 January 1950, a son of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Hessa bint Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa. His father was the ruler (titled Hakim) of Bahrain (then a protectorate of Britain), and after its Independence was declared in 1971 became its Emir (, or Prince). In addition to his primary education, Hamad was also taught the Principles of Islam and Arabic languages. He completed his secondary education in England and undertook military training in some branches of British Army, incuding the Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst. He later studied in the US (graduating with a decree in leadership) and served at different posts of Bahraini defence, before being appointed its Commander in Chief. He also had a key role in the establishment of the Bahrain Air Force.

Hamad was appointed Crown Prince in 1964, and was married at the age of 18 to his first cousin Sabeeka. The wedding took place on 9 October 1968, and was a large gathering of Royal family members, with the main ceremony held behind close doors, out of any spotlight. Sheikha Sabika was born in 1948, to Ibrahim bin Muhammad Al Khalifa and Fatima bint Salman Al Khalifa (sister of Emir Isa bin Salman). Together they produced four children, three sons and a daughter, with their first son, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa (48), being the current Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of Defence. As mother of the Crown Prince and the monarch's senior wife, Sheikha Sabeeka would be considered a Royal consort immediately upon her husband's accession to the throne.

This happened on 6 March 1999, with the sudden death of Sheikh Isa bin Salman. Hamad was immediately proclaimed the next Emir. And while he inherited the position of an absolute monarch, the consequences of a massive uprising of the previous years led him to lead some pioneer democratic reforms. Through the enforce of the "National Action Chapter" (voted in favour in a referendum in 2001), the state (dawla) of Bahrain became a Kingdom on 14th February 2002, and the Emir proclaimed himself King (Malik), the third constitutional monarch in the Middle East (after the King of Jordan and Emir of Kuwait). Bahrain adopted a new constitution (second since the independence), and begun a path of liberalization and development, following more than 25 years of emergency laws. Sheikha Sabika has been refered ever since as Princess Consort, being named 'Queen' in 2009, through she is styled "Her Royal Highness", while her husband enjoys the supreme style of "Majesty".

Currently Sheikha Sabeeka is regarded a senior member of the Royal family and although the King has another three wives (and fathered 12 children in total), she is the only one who carries out official duties and makes public appearances. In a bid to represent King Hamad's effort for reforms, the Princess Consort (along with other senior members of the dynasty) participates in foreign and domestic charitable organisations, promoting women's political rights (in the Arab world) and the welfare of women and children globally. Her Global Award for Women Empowerment, granted anually to those actively contributing to this cause, was recently launched at the UN headquarters after a decade of success in national level. As a consort, Sabeeka has accompanied her husband in some important ocassions and foreign royal gatherings (like the Diamond Jubilee of UK' Queen Elizabeth II's reign).

The fact that King Hamad and "Queen" Sabika are first cousins isn't surprising. Dynastic marriages are still common within royalty of the gulf countries, and it's not a rare phaenomenon when a Prince (especially heir) marries his close relative even now. And despite some decisive steps forward made by the King throughout his reign - in the fields of democracy, constitutionalism, & gender equality - the Al Khalifa dynasty still plays an active role in government, while the country's Prime Minister since before its independence, is the Royal Couple's uncle, Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifah. The King was also widely criticized for suspending his self-proclaimed constitution (for a few months in 2011) following a series of protests against the violation of human rights, and their bloody suppression by the security forces. King Hamad publicly apologized for one of such cases and later established an independent inquery commission - to bring a just solution -, that was supported by the US. His dynasty has importantly been involved both in decisive progressive steps and authoritarian intervention to restore the order.

The House of Khalifa is rooted from the Utub tribe (part of the Anizah tribal confederation), that in early 18th century migrated to Najd from Kuwait, and formed a new dynasty, sustainable here ever since. In present time, Al Khalifas (who in fact have still a full sovereign power over Bahrain) have close ties with the most neibhouring Gulf countries (eg: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Oman, Kuwait) and determine the Kingdom's policies according to their common regional and international interests. It can be especially noticed that King Hamad, in the most of diplomatic ways, maintains normal diplomatic relations with the most of the countries of the UN (and beyond), extending All their leaders his wishes, support, and greetings in the most of their national events, and other ocassions.

A rare video of the 1968' Royal wedding, and additional links:

http://www.unofficialroyalty.com/king-hamad-bin-isa-bin-salman-al-khalifa-of-bahrain/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamad_bin_Isa_Al_Khalifa

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-princess-sabeeka-bint-ibrahim-al-khalifas-global-award-for-women-616143964.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabika_bint_Ibrahim_Al_Khalifa

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Khalifa

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2010/03/2010356756685605.html