| Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa | |
|---|---|
| Emir of Bahrain Hakim of Bahrain |
|
| Reign | November 1961 – 6 March 1999 |
| Coronation | 16 December 1961 |
| Born | June 3, 1933 |
| Birthplace | Jasra, British Bahrain , |
| Died | March 6, 1999 (aged 65) |
| Place of death | Manama,Bahrain |
| Predecessor | Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa |
| Heir apparent | Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa |
| Successor | Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa |
| Consort | Hessa bint Salman Al Khalifa |
| Royal House | Al Khalifa |
| Father | Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa |
| Religious beliefs | Sunni Islam |
Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, GCB, GCMG (Arabic: عيسى بن سلمان آل خليفة; June 3, 1933 – March 6, 1999) was the monarch or emir of Bahrain from 1961 until his death. Born in the town of Jasra, he became emir upon the death of his father, Salman ibn Hamad. On May 8, 1949, he married his only wife, Shaikha Hessa bint Salman Al Khalifa (1933–2009).
Isa's reign saw Bahrain gain its independence from the United Kingdom in 1971. While the government initially considered joining the United Arab Emirates, Isa had his country withdraw (along with Qatar) over his dissatisfaction with the proposed constitution. He then attempted to introduce a moderate form of parliamentary democracy, and men (though not women) were given the vote in parliamentary elections in 1973. In 1975, however, he dissolved Parliament because it refused to pass the government-sponsored State Security Law of 1974. The parliamentary system was never restored and forced the emir to contend with occasional protests from the leftist and Islamist camps, which reached their peak in 1995. (see: History of Bahrain).
Isa was noted for his opposition to the use of the death penalty, and routinely refused to sign death warrants. One exception occurred in 1996, when he succumbed to pressure from the security forces to execute a man convicted of the murder of a soldier.
Throughout his reign, Isa dedicated himself to bolstering his country's economy. He believed that his greatest achievement was the construction of a causeway connecting his island nation with Saudi Arabia.
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Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa had only one wife, Shaikha Hessa bint Salman Al Khalifa (1933–2009). They had six sons and six daughters:
During his 38 years as Emir, the economic transformation of Bahrain into a modern nation and a key financial center in the Persian Gulf took place. Nevertheless, critics note that he also dissolved Parliament, giving absolute power to the royal family.
Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa died on March 6, 1999 at the al-Sakhir Palace. US President Bill Clinton expressed "deep sadness" at the news of the emir's death calling him "a good friend of peace." UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan also expressed "great sadness," and described the emir as "a force for stability" in the region. He was buried at the Al-Rifa'a cemetery.
He was succeeded by his eldest son, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa |
Emir of Bahrain 1961–1999 |
Succeeded by Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa |