Al-Sabah
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The al-Sabah have been the ruling family of Kuwait since about 1752. Emirs of the Bani Khalid tribe had ruled the region, before the Sabah dynasty came to power. Every male member of the ruling family ( regardless of his age ) is locally referred to as Sheikh and this title is put in front of the member's first name. The Al-Sabah dynasty is not strictly hereditary, and although many Emirs have succeeded their fathers, the family choose their leader from each succeeding generation, rather than selecting from the children of the current ruler.
Sheikh Mubarak was succeeded as ruler by his son Jaber (1915-17) and another son Salem (1917-21). Subsequent Emirs descended from these two brothers. Sheikh Ahmed Al-Jaber Al Sabah ruled from 1921 until his death in 1950, and Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al Sabah from 1950 to 1965. Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem ruled after the death of his brother Sheikh Abdullah, from 1965 to 1977. Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad is the present ruler.
al-Sabah Dynasty
- Sheikh Sabah I bin Jabir (1752-1764) Sabah bin Jaber
- Sheikh Abdallah I al-Sabah (1764-1815) Abdullah bin Sabah
- Sheikh Jabir I al-Sabah (1815-1859) Jaber bin Abdullah
- Sheikh Sabah II al-Sabah (1859-1866)
- Sheikh Abdallah II al-Sabah (1866-1892)
- Sheikh Muhamad al-Sabah (1892-1896), assassinated
- Sheikh Mubarak al-Sabah (1896-1915)
- Sheikh Jabir II al-Sabah (1915-1917)
- Sheikh Salim al-Mubarak al-Sabah (1917-1921)
- Sheikh 'Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (1921-1950)
- Sheikh 'Abd Allah III al-Salim al-Sabah (1950-1965 became Emir in 1961)
- Emir Sabah III al-Salim al-Sabah (1965-1977)
- Emir Jabir III al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (1977-present) Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
See also: History of Kuwait,