Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah

Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah (born 1926) (Arabic: الشيخ سالم علي السالم الصباح ) is the oldest living member and Chieftain dean of the House of Sabah.

Early life and education
Sheikh Salem is the eldest son of Sheikh Ali Salem Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah (b.1898-d.1928) and was born in Fraij Al-Shuyouk (Arabic: فريج الشيوخ ) in the designated area of Wast (Arabic: الوسط).

Construction and Development (1950-1960)
Sheikh Salem debuted his career in the construction and development of the country during the discovery of oil in the 1950s; and through its monetary revenue, Kuwait started to witness and experience an industrial growth on all levels around the country. Since then, Salem enlisted in the general public work sector; well before the forming of the Government of Kuwait; partaking and leading many development projects roles that were designed to build contemporary Kuwait in addition to setting the corps foundations of lifestyle and way of life in contemporary society today.

During the early 1950s, Sheikh Salem worked closely with Sheikh Fahed Salem Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah; Director of Public Works and the Municipality; and assumed the role of deputy director of His Excellency's offices for the both until 1959. During the same year, Salem headed the construction council and was in charge of planning and development; a very important post during the developing period of Kuwait. During that important time, Salem headed to his turn the Directorate of Public Works which was heavily concentrated on executing the major construction projects that founded today's Kuwait.

During the early 1960s prior to the independence of Kuwait; Sheikh Salem was appointed as director of the town council, when the later was enacting its governing laws that would appoint a member of the House of Sabah at its head and organize the development of the country, preservation of public health, preservation of the environment, hygiene, greenery and setting the pace for the development of pillar infrastructures.

Independence 1961
Following the independence of Kuwait in 1961, Sheikh Salem was a prime board member in the founding council that was tasked in formilzing and preparing the Constitution of Kuwait and headed the first Ministry of Public Works in the first Government of Kuwait formed following the independence in 1961 and the second government formed in 1963 respectively. Salem's ministerial participation and initial contribution led also to the enacting of the first legislative term of the National Assembly of Kuwait.

Kuwait National Guard Patron (1967-present)
The founding of the Kuwait National Guard was first conceived durting the Six Day War and following Operation Vantage when Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah was the Crown Prince of Kuwait through the 2nd decree of 1967 on June 6 during the reign of Sheikh Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah. A mission for this purpose was led by Sheikh Salem Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah, he formed and allocated training and development responsibilities amongst the various task forces within the National Guard and remained at the head of the institution since its enacting in 1967.

2006 dynastic succession
Following the death of the late Emir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Sheikh Salem drew significant attention supporting Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah the previous crown prince, to succeed Jaber. Saad was not eligible to be the Emir due to challenging health circumstances. Accordingly, the majority of the royal family agreed to nominate Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. This dynastic dispute lasted for about 8 days before Salem agreed to support the nomination of Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as Emir.

Other significant posts and positions held
Sheikh Salem assumed many important leadership roles and positions within the Government of Kuwait.


 * First Honorary President of the Society of Engineers.
 * Deputy Director of Municipality and Public Works 1956.
 * President of the Construction Council in 1959.
 * Director of the Municipal Council in 1960.
 * Minister of Public Works (1962-1964).

In addition, the mission and responsibility of founding the Kuwait National Guard has always been his most important endeavor and still remains his primary motivation and concern.

Humanitarian and chatiry missions
Sheikh Salem provided numerous contributions in humanitarian missions both in and outside the territory of Kuwait. Salem recently donated 100 million Kuwaiti dinars ($378 million) to House of Zakat charity to help the people of Kuwait who are in need.

Personal life
Sheikh Salem has several sons and daughters. His eldest son is Sheikh Ali Al-Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah.

Sheikh Salem is very fond of the outdoors and desert life.

Title, styles and honour
Besides the Emir of Kuwait, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Kuwait; Sheikh Salem being the oldest living member of the House of Sabah is officially titled and addressed as :

His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah.