Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa
Born (1987-05-08) 8 May 1987
Riffa, Bahrain
Spouse Shaikha bint Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum
Issue Sheema
Hamad
Mohammad
House Al Khalifa
Father Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
Mother Sheia bint Hassan Al Khrayyesh Al Ajmi

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa (Arabic: الامير ناصر بن حمد آل خليفة) (born: 8 May 1987) is a member of the Bahraini royal family and the commander of Bahrain's Royal Guard[1][2] and president of the Bahrain Olympic Committee. He denies allegations that he has ever personally tortured anyone [3].

Early life and education

Sheikh Nasser is a son of the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He is the elder of the two children born to the king by his second wife, Sheia bint Hassan Al Khrayyesh Al Ajmi; he has one full brother, Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad.[4] Sheikh Naseer also has ten other half-siblings, the children of his father's other three wives. These include four half-siblings, all older than him, who are the children of the king's first wife. One of those older half-siblings, Salman al-Khalifa, is the crown prince of Bahrain.

Sheikh Nasser was educated in Bahrain at Ibn Khuldoon National School and then attended Sandhurst Military Academy in the United Kingdom, graduating in August 2006.[4] He is currently serving in the Bahrain Defence Force and leads the Bahrain National Endurance Team.[5]

Charity

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Charity Organisation (RCO), Sheikh Nasser is directly involved in charity work with many local and international community projects.[6]

Races

He has participated in many regional and international endurance races and won many medals.[7]

In December 2006, Sheikh Nasser led the Bahrain National Endurance team in the Doha Asian Games and won a silver medal in the individual race and the six-member Bahraini squad came second in the overall team event.[8]

In September 2007, Sheikh Nasser led the Bahrain National Endurance team in the European Open held at Portugal and came in 8th place in the individual race and the Bahrain team won a silver medal for coming in second place as a team.[7]

Military Service

Nasser is the commander of the Bahrain Defence Force Royal Guard, an elite unit that is deployed in the war in Yemen. Nasser himself fought in coalition missions accused of war crimes.[9]

President of the Olympic Committee

Prince Nasser is the president of the Bahrain Olympic Committee.[10] As such he created a special commission, that prosecuted 150 members of the sporting community for peacefully demonstrating.[11]

Personal life

He married in Dubai on 28 September 2009 (nikah and 2 October 2009 (milcha)) to Shaikha bint Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum, the daughter of the Emir of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.[4][12] Together they have one daughter and twin sons:

  • Sheema bint Nasser Al Khalifa (born 16 July 2010).[4]
  • Hamad bin Nasser Al Khalifa (born 6 June 2012).[4]
  • Mohammad bin Nasser Al Khalifa (born 6 June 2012).[4]

Allegations

Sheikh Nasser became the subject of allegations of torture after anti-government protests in 2011. During the Arab Spring Bahraini Uprising, three unnamed individuals reported to human rights groups that they had personally been beaten by Sheikh Nasser. One was granted refugee status in the UK and has since sought his arrest by Scotland Yard.[13] Several NGOs criticize his participation to the FEI World Equestrian Games that took place in Normandy in 2014. [14] These allegations have earned Nasser the label "torture prince". He denies ever having personally taken part in torture.

Titles, styles and awards

Styles of
Sheikh Nasser
Reference style His Highness
Spoken style Your Highness
Alternative style Sheikh

Titles and styles

  • 8 May 1987 – 14 February 2002: His Excellency Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa
  • 14 February 2002 – present: His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa

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. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29521420
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "BAHRAIN: The Al-Khalifa Dynasty". The Royal Ark.
  5. ↑ "Kuwait: 2009 Shk Nasser bin Hamad Al Kalifa Endurance Cup". Endurance. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
  6. ↑ Nasser Al Khalifa
  7. 1 2 "Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa's CV". Al Furrsan. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  8. ↑ "Crown Prince congratulates Shaikh Nasser". Bahrain News Agency. 14 December 2006. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  9. ↑ https://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/how-bahrain-whitewashing-religious-rights-abuses-1199037518
  10. ↑ http://www.boc.bh/en/mediacentre/news/Pages/Clubs-chiefs-value-Shaikh-Nasser-contributions.aspx
  11. ↑ https://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/how-bahrain-whitewashing-religious-rights-abuses-1199037518
  12. ↑ "Sheikh Mohammed".
  13. ↑ Aboulenein, Ahmed (7 October 2014). "Bahrain prince does not enjoy immunity over torture claims, UK court rules". Reuters. London. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  14. ↑ http://www.liberation.fr/societe/2014/09/01/un-prince-bahreini-accuse-de-torture-pas-inquiete-par-la-france_1091508 Libération 1 september 2014
  15. ↑ Quirinale website
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