Sabah al-Ahmad: The Sheikh of Simplicity and Spontaneity

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah. (AFP)
Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah. (AFP)
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Sabah al-Ahmad: The Sheikh of Simplicity and Spontaneity

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah. (AFP)
Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah. (AFP)

Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah will be remembered by the Kuwait people for a long time for being one of the most spontaneous and humble emirs. These traits allowed him to leave a life away from extravagance despite his prestigious political and diplomatic career.

Spontaneity was part of his character and it was this trait that endeared him to the people. They saw in his spontaneity and simplicity a fraternal figure who is close to the people and who sees them as equals away from the barriers of rule, wealth and power.

They witnessed the spontaneity during his unofficial visits that were marked by their lack of official protocol, whether in attending gatherings, wakes or banquet halls. One image that has been imprinted in Kuwaiti memory is his sudden appearance at a wake to offer his condolences over the death of a civilian. They will long remember his spontaneity in visiting cafes and other popular locations without fanfare.

Often, the Emir would break protocol during an official event to approach a figure for a chat or take a commemorative photo. His statements that always reflected his good intentions always wished for understanding to prevail among parties. His spontaneity gave the parties optimism.

His love of simplicity steered him away from extravagance and excess. He was one of the world’s richest people, but chose to vacation in Somalia away from luxurious extravagant international resorts. During one televised interview, he explained that he chose Somalia “because it was the only country that lacked complexities. You could go there dressed in whatever way you want, even if you were from the Gulf, and no one would care.”

When security deteriorated in Somalia, he turned to Oman where he spent his annual holidays at a small village near Salalah where he would spend his time enjoying his favorite hobby, fishing.

Sheikh Sabah used to say that his philosophy in life was based on living away from excess and by maintaining good health.

“I always follow this mantra and advise any person to resist being lured by money. None of this will bring them anything. The only thing that counts are their good intentions and to be simple with themselves and others,” he once said.

Sheikh Sabah was born in al-Jahra northwest of the Kuwaiti capital on June 16, 1929. He spent his childhood in al-Jahra, which at the time was an agricultural village. His mother was Munira Othman Hamad Al-Ayyar.

When he turned four, he moved to live in the Al-Seif palace in Kuwait City. He was raised there with his brother Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad.

He married Sheikha Fatuwah bint Salman, his father’s cousin, in the 1940s. His wife passed away shortly before the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. He never remarried. They had one daughter, Salwa, who passed away in 2002 from breast cancer, and son Ahmed, who died when he was young in 1969. He is survived by two sons, Sheikh Nasser and Hamad.



UN Rights Council Backs Saudi-drafted Resolution to Protect Children Online

Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila presented the resolution to the Human Rights Council during its 59th session, on behalf of the Saudi mission in Geneva. Photo: Saudi mission
Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila presented the resolution to the Human Rights Council during its 59th session, on behalf of the Saudi mission in Geneva. Photo: Saudi mission
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UN Rights Council Backs Saudi-drafted Resolution to Protect Children Online

Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila presented the resolution to the Human Rights Council during its 59th session, on behalf of the Saudi mission in Geneva. Photo: Saudi mission
Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila presented the resolution to the Human Rights Council during its 59th session, on behalf of the Saudi mission in Geneva. Photo: Saudi mission

The United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday unanimously adopted a Saudi-drafted resolution aimed at enhancing child protection in the digital realm, a move rooted in a global initiative launched by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

The resolution, introduced by Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Mission to the UN and international organizations in Geneva, seeks to advance the goals of the Kingdom’s “Child Protection in Cyberspace” initiative.

It aims to translate the initiative’s vision into concrete action through enhanced technical cooperation and capacity building.

Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila, presented the draft during the Council’s 59th session under Agenda Item 10, which focuses on technical assistance and capacity development.

The proposal received broad support and was adopted by consensus, with co-sponsorship from Kuwait, Algeria, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Vietnam.

Addressing the Council, Khothaila stressed that the digital space has become an integral part of children’s lives, offering immense opportunities for learning and connection, while also exposing them to growing risks.

He underscored the need for stronger international cooperation, national capacity building, and technical support to reinforce national frameworks aimed at child protection.

The resolution reflects the core objectives of the Crown Prince’s initiative, including fostering international cooperation, sharing best practices, raising awareness, and equipping stakeholders with the necessary skills to ensure a safer digital environment for children.

It also highlights the importance of tailoring technical assistance to the specific needs and priorities of each country, with the aim of building sustainable national capacities and enhancing communities’ ability to respond to digital threats facing children.

The resolution underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to promoting global cooperation for a secure and inclusive digital space for children worldwide, in line with its leadership role and pioneering efforts in cybersecurity and child protection.