View source for Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

{{Short description|Emir/King of Bahrain since 1999}}
{{Redirect|Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa|the ruler of [[Bahrain]] from 1932 to 1942|Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa (1872–1942)}}
{{Family name hatnote|lang=Arabic|[[Al Khalifa]]}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox royalty
| native_lang1 = [[Arabic]]
| native_lang1_name1 = حمد بن عيسى آل خليفة
| name         = Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa 
{{nobold | {{Ubl
  | {{native name|ar|حمد بن عيسى آل خليفة|italics=no|paren=omit}}
  }}}}
| image        = Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah on September 12, 2024 (cropped).jpg
| caption      = King Hamad in 2024
| succession   = [[King of Bahrain]]
| reign        = 14 February 2002 – present
| coronation   = 
| predecessor  = ''Position established''<br/>Himself ''(as [[King of Bahrain|Emir]])''
| suc-type     = Heir apparent
| successor    = [[Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa]]
| reg-type     = {{nowrap|[[Prime Minister of Bahrain|Prime Minister]]}}
| regent       = [[Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa]]<br/>Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa
| religion     = [[Sunni Islam]]
| succession1  = Emir of Bahrain
| reign1       = 6 March 1999 – 14 February 2002
| predecessor1 = [[Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa]]
| successor1   = ''Position abolished''<br/>Himself ''(as [[King of Bahrain|King]])''
| reg-type1    = {{nowrap|Prime Minister}}
| regent1      = Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
| spouse       = {{plainlist|
* [[Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa|Sabika bint Ibrahim]] (1968–present)
* Sheia bint Hassan bin Khraish Alajmi
* Hessa bint Faisal bin Shraim Almerri 
* Manal bint Jabor Aljbor Alnuaimi
}}
| issue-link   = #Personal life
| issue        = {{plainlist|
* [[Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa]]
* [[Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa]]
* Khalifa bin Hamad Al Khalifa
* Najla bint Hamad Al Khalifa
* [[Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa]]
* [[Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa]]
* [[Faisal bin Hamad Al Khalifa]]
* Sultan bin Hamad Al Khalifa
* Hessa bint Hamad Al Khalifa
* Noura bint Hamad Al Khalifa
* Munira bint Hamad Al Khalifa
* Rima bint Hamad Al Khalifa
}}
| house        = [[House of Khalifa|Khalifa]]
| father       = [[Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa]]
| mother       = [[Hessa bint Salman Al Khalifa]]
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1950|1|28|df=y}}
| birth_place  = [[Riffa]], Bahrain<!-- DO NOT LINK, see [[MOS:GEOLINK]] for further guidance -->{{efn|Bahrain was under the [[Persian Gulf Residency]] as a British protectorate state at the time of Hamad's birth.}}
}}
{{Infobox royal styles
|royal name = The King of Bahrain
|image      = [[File:Coat of arms of Bahrain.svg|50px]]
|dipstyle   = [[Majesty|His Majesty]]
|offstyle   = Your Majesty
}}
{{Bahraini royal family}}
'''Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa'''{{efn|{{langx|ar|حمد بن عيسى بن سلمان آل خليفة}}; ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|Ḥamad bin ʿĪsā bin Salmān Āl Khalīfa}}''; {{IPA|ar|ħa.ma.du‿b.nu ʕiː.sa‿b.nu sal.maː.na ʔaː.li xa.liː.fa|IPA}}}} (born 28 January 1950) is the ruler of Bahrain since 1999. A member of the ruling [[House of Khalifa|Al Khalifa dynasty]], he has reigned as [[King of Bahrain]] since 2002, after previously reigning as emir.

== Early life and education ==
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was born on 28 January 1950 in [[Riffa]], Bahrain.<ref name="Embassy"/> His parents were [[Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa]], then Crown Prince, and [[Hessa bint Salman Al Khalifa]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Bahrain mourns death of king's mother |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-205340049/bahrain-mourns-death-king.html |access-date=6 July 2013 |newspaper=[[Gulf News]] |date=7 August 2009}}</ref>

After attending Manama secondary school in Bahrain, Hamad was sent to England to attend [[Applegarth College]] in [[Godalming]], [[Surrey]] before enrolling at [[The Leys School]] in [[Cambridge]].  Hamad then underwent military training, first with the [[British Army]] at [[Mons Officer Cadet School]] at [[Aldershot]] in [[Hampshire]], graduating in September 1968.<ref name="Embassy">{{cite web |url=http://www.bahrainembassy.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=section.home&id=38 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924180412/http://www.bahrainembassy.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=section.home&id=38 |archive-date=24 September 2010 |title=Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States |publisher=Bahrain Embassy |access-date=2 October 2010}}</ref> Four years later, in June 1972, Hamad attended the [[United States Army Command and General Staff College]] at [[Fort Leavenworth]] in [[Kansas]], graduating the following June with a degree in leadership.<ref name="Government">{{cite web |url=http://www.mofa.gov.bh/Default.aspx? |title=HM the King |work=Kingdom of Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs |publisher=Government of Bahrain |access-date=21 February 2011}}</ref>

== Crown prince ==
Hamad was designated as [[heir apparent]] by his father on 27 June 1964. In 1968, he was appointed as the chairman of the irrigation council and Manama municipal council. He was commissioned into the [[Bahrain National Guard]] on 16 February 1968 and appointed as its commander the same year, remaining in that post until 1969 when he was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the [[Bahrain Defence Force]]. In 1970, Hamad became the head of the Bahraini department of defence and the vice-chairman of the administrative council, remaining in both offices until 1971. From 1971 to 1988 he was the minister of state for defence.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.melangemagazine.biz/h-m-king-hamad-bin-isa-al-khalifa/ |title=H.M. KING HAMAD BIN ISA AL KHALIFA |date=1 November 2016 |work=Melange Magazine |access-date=12 March 2021 |language=en |archive-date=7 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407081010/https://www.melangemagazine.biz/h-m-king-hamad-bin-isa-al-khalifa/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In October 1977, Hamad started learning to fly helicopters, successfully completing the training in January 1978.<ref name=mofa1/>

He then worked to establish the [[Bahrain Amiri Air Force]],<ref name="Government"/> which came into being at the height of the [[Tanker War]] in 1987 when the defence force air wing was reconstituted as an [[air force]].<ref name=mofa1>{{cite news | url=https://www.mofa.gov.bh/Default.aspx?tabid=12696&language=en-US | title= H.M THE KING}}</ref>

== Reign ==
{{further|Human rights in Bahrain}}
[[File:Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa et Bush.jpg|thumb|right|President [[George W. Bush]] welcomes Hamad to the [[Oval Office]] on 29 November 2004]]
On the death of his father Isa, Hamad became [[Emir of Bahrain]] on 6 March 1999.<ref name="BBC">{{Cite news |date=12 November 2018 |title=Bahrain profile – Timeline |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14541322 |access-date=12 March 2021 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en}}</ref> As Emir, Hamad brought several political reforms to Bahrain. These included the release of all political prisoners, the dissolution of the State Security Court and the abolition of the [[State Security Law in Bahrain|1974 Decree on State Security Measures]]. Additionally, many Bahraini citizens were permitted to return after several years in exile overseas.<ref name="AI_Bahr_promising">{{cite web|title=Bahrain: Promising human rights reform must continue |publisher=Amnesty International |date=13 March 2001 |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde11/005/2001/en/ |access-date=9 February 2011}}</ref> In 2002, he declared himself [[king]]. He enjoys wide executive authorities which include appointing the [[Prime Minister of Bahrain|prime minister]] and his [[Cabinet of Bahrain|ministers]], commanding the army, chairing the [[Judiciary of Bahrain|Higher Judicial Council]], appointing the [[National Assembly of Bahrain|parliament]]'s [[Consultative Council of Bahrain|upper half]] and dissolving its elected [[Council of Representatives of Bahrain|lower half]].<ref name="Fr 15.2.2011"/>{{rp|page=. 15}}

=== Political turmoil ===
After Hamad took power in 1999, he focused on attaining stability in a nation riddled with profound tensions after the [[1990s uprising]]. The King succeeded in improving the living standards and in making Bahrain a financial hub. During the period 2003–2010 the [[Shi'ite]] community accused his government of [[Corruption in Bahrain|corruption]], [[Human rights in Bahrain#Oppression of Shia|discrimination]] in housing and jobs, recruiting foreigners to the military services and bringing Sunni tribes from Asia to change the demographic composition of the nation.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

Although King Hamad's reign has seen the admittance of Shi'ites into positions in the government, there have still been calls for a more equitable distribution of positions and jobs. The [[Al Khalifa family]] lead a large number of ministerial and governmental posts including the Ministry of the Interior,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interior.gov.bh/default_en.aspx|title=Ministry of Interior|access-date=17 March 2013}}</ref> Ministry of Justice,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.moj.gov.bh/en/defaultf692.html?action=category&ID=255|title=MoJ Ministers and Undersecretaries' Names|access-date=17 March 2013|archive-date=23 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923224821/http://www.moj.gov.bh/en/defaultf692.html?action=category&ID=255|url-status=dead}}</ref> the Ministry of Finance,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mof.gov.bh/ArticleDetail.asp|title=MoF Welcome Message|access-date=17 March 2013|archive-date=23 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723034330/https://www.mof.gov.bh/ArticleDetail.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> the Ministry of Culture,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.moc.gov.bh/en/header/TheMinistry/|title=MoC Organisation Chart|access-date=17 March 2013|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329174741/http://www.moc.gov.bh/en/header/TheMinistry/|archive-date=29 March 2013}}</ref> the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mofa.gov.bh/Default.aspx?|title=MoFA Organizational Structure|access-date=17 March 2013}}</ref> the Bahrain Economic Development Board<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bahrainedb.com/directors-board.aspx|title=BEDB Directors|access-date=17 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421080715/http://www.bahrainedb.com/directors-board.aspx|archive-date=21 April 2013}}</ref> and the Supreme Council for Women.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scw.gov.bh/page.aspx?|title=Supreme Council for Women|access-date=17 March 2013|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217221513/http://www.scw.gov.bh/page.aspx?page_key=organizational_structure_eng&lang=en |archive-date=17 December 2013}}</ref> The vast majority of significant positions in the [[Bahrain Defence Force]] are held by [[Sunni]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/193091.pdf |title=International Religious Freedom Report for 2011 |publisher=[[U.S. Department of State]] |access-date=17 March 2013}}</ref>

=== 2011 Bahraini uprising ===
{{main|2011 Bahraini uprising}}
On 11 February 2011, King Hamad ordered that 1,000 [[bahraini dinar|Bahraini Dinars]] (approximately US$2,667) be given to "each family" to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the [[National Action Charter of Bahrain|National Action Charter]] referendum. Agence France-Presse linked the BD1,000 payments to 14 February 2011 demonstration plans.<ref name="Fr 11.2.2011">{{cite news|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20110211-bahrains-king-gifts-3000-every-family|title=Bahrains king gifts 3000 every family|publisher=[[France 24]]|date=11 February 2011|access-date=28 November 2011|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215141024/http://www.france24.com/en/20110211-bahrains-king-gifts-3000-every-family|archive-date=15 February 2011}}</ref>

On 14 February 2011, the ninth anniversary of the writing of the [[Constitution of Bahrain#Constitution of 2002|Constitution of 2002]], Bahrain was rocked by protests inspired by the [[Arab Spring]] and co-ordinated by a [[Facebook]] page named "Day of Rage in Bahrain", a page that was [[Like button|like]]d by tens of thousands just one week after its creation. The Bahrain government responded with what has been described as a "brutal" crackdown<ref name="BBC News">Law, Bill (6 April 2011) [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12975832 "Police Brutality Turns Bahrain Into 'Island of Fear'] ''[[Crossing Continents]]'' (via [[BBC News]]) Retrieved 15 April 2011</ref><ref>[[Press release]] (30 March 2011) [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1103/S01049/usa-emphatic-support-to-saudi-arabia.htm "USA Emphatic Support to Saudi Arabia"] Zayd Alisa (via [[Scoop (website)|Scoop]]) Retrieved 15 April 2011</ref><ref>[[Cockburn, Patrick]] (18 March 2011) [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/the-footage-that-reveals-the-brutal-truth-about-bahrains-crackdown-2245364.html "The Footage That Reveals the Brutal Truth About Bahrain's Crackdown – Seven Protest Leaders Arrested as Video Clip Highlights Regime's Ruthless Grip on Power"] ''[[The Independent]]'' Retrieved 15 April 2011</ref> on the protests, including [[human rights violation|violations of human rights]] that caused anger. Later on, demonstrators demanded that Hamad step down.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bahrain Mourners Call for End to Monarchy – Mood of Defiance Against Entire Ruling System After Brutal Attack on Pearl Roundabout Protest Camp That Left at Least Five Dead|date=18 February 2011|newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/18/bahrain-mourners-call-downnfall-monarchy|access-date=31 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218093710/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/18/bahrain-mourners-call-downnfall-monarchy|archive-date=18 February 2011|url-status=live|location=London}}</ref> As a result of this "massive" crackdown, ''[[Foreign Policy Magazine]]'' classified him as ranking 3rd out of 8 of "America's Unsavory Allies" calling him "one of the bad guys the U.S. still supports".<ref name="FP 28.10.2011">{{cite news|author=Uri Friedman|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/10/28/america_unsavory_allies?page=0,2|title=America's Unsavory Allies|newspaper=[[Foreign Policy]]|date=28 October 2011|access-date=28 November 2011|archive-date=22 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122142611/http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/10/28/america_unsavory_allies?page=0,2|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 15 February 2011, Hamad apologized for the deaths of two demonstrators in a rare TV speech and urged an investigation into the incident.<ref name="Fr 15.2.2011">{{cite news |url=http://files.bici.org.bh/BICIreportEN.pdf|title=Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry|publisher=Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry|date=23 November 2011|access-date=23 November 2011}}</ref> Two days later, four protesters were killed and hundreds wounded when protesters were attacked in [[Pearl Roundabout]] at 03:00 am local time. The Pearl Roundabout was evacuated and encircled by the Bahraini army. Two days later, Prince Salman, Hamad's son, ordered the withdrawal of army troops from there after the death of another protester caused by live ammunition next to Pearl roundabout.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}} As protests intensified toward the end of the month,<ref>{{cite news| date=23 February 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2011/02/23/world/23bahrain-map.html?ref=middleeast | title = Comparing the Areas of the Protest in ... Pearl Square, Bahrain; Tahrir Square, Egypt |work=The New York Times | access-date=15 April 2011}}</ref> King Hamad was forced to offer concessions in the form of the release of political prisoners<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.alwasatnews.com/3092/news/read/528598/1.html| script-title=ar:"الداخلية": إطلاق سراح 308 أشخاص تنفيذاً للعفو الملكي &#124; الوسط اون لاين – صحيفة الوسط البحرينية – مملكة البحرين | language = ar | work=[[Alwasat (Bahraini newspaper)|Alwasat]] | access-date=15 April 2011}}</ref> and the dismissal of three government ministers.<ref name="26feb">{{cite news | author=Richter, Frederick | date=26 February 2011 | url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bahrain-government-idUSTRE71P1A720110226 | title = Shi'ite Dissident Returns to Bahrain from Exile |work=Reuters | access-date=15 April 2011}}</ref>

During the peak of the [[2011 Bahraini uprising|Bahraini uprising]] in mid March 2011, Hamad declared a State of National Safety for three months just after Salman summoned [[Peninsula Shield Force]] troops to enter Bahrain. [[Saudi Arabia]] deployed about 1,000 troops with armoured support, and the [[United Arab Emirates]] deployed about 500 troops. Opposition parties reacted strongly, calling it an "occupation". Hamad, however, claimed that he deployed the troops to "protect infrastructure and to secure key installations".<ref name="BBC 15.3.2011">{{cite news| title = Two Killed in Bahrain Violence Despite Martial Law |work=BBC News | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12751464 | date=15 March 2011 | access-date=15 April 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110405202839/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12751464| archive-date= 5 April 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="al-jazeera">{{cite web| url = http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/03/2011314124928850647.html | title = Saudi Soldiers Sent into Bahrain|publisher=Al Jazeera| date=15 March 2011 | access-date=15 April 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110415074458/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/2011314124928850647.html| archive-date= 15 April 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref>

In June 2011, Hamad commissioned the [[Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry]], headed by respected human rights lawyer [[M. Cherif Bassiouni]], to look into the events surrounding the unrest. The establishment of the BICI was praised by [[Barack Obama]] and the international community<ref>{{cite news|author=Andrew Malcolm|title=Jay Carney says vacationing Obama welcomes new democratic dialogue in Bahrain|date=2 July 2011|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2011/07/vacationing-obama-bahrain-jay-carney.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Bahrain – Alistair Burt welcomes independent commission|date=30 June 2001|publisher=Foreign & Commonwealth Office|url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=News&id=624443882}}</ref> as a step towards establishing responsibility and accountability for the events of the 2011–2012 Bahraini uprising. The BICI reported its findings in November 2011 and [[U.S. Secretary of State]] [[Hillary Clinton]] "commend[ed] King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa's initiative in commissioning it".<ref>{{cite news|author=Hillary Rodham Clinton|title=Release of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) Report|date=23 November 2011
|publisher=U.S. Department of State|url=https://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/11/177735.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124061710/http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/11/177735.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 November 2011}}</ref> In August 2012, [[Amnesty International]] stated that "the government's response has only scratched the surface of these issues. Reforms have been piecemeal, perhaps aiming to appease Bahrain's international partners, and have failed to provide real accountability and justice for the victims".<ref name="AI 21.8.2012">[https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde11/051/2012/en/ "Urgent action: Bahraini activist sentenced to three years"] Amnesty International 21 August 2012 Retrieved 22 August 2012</ref>

=== Foreign relations ===
[[File:Isaac Herzog state visit to Bahrain, December 2022 (ABG4).jpeg|thumb|Israeli President [[Isaac Herzog]] during a state visit to Bahrain with King Hamad, December 2022]]
[[File:Sharm El Sheikh Summit for Peace, 13 October 2025 (Roman Ismayilov) 19.jpg|thumb|King Hamad at the [[2025 Gaza peace summit|Gaza peace summit]] in [[Sharm El Sheikh]], Egypt, 13 October 2025]]
The king was invited by the British court to the [[wedding of Prince William]], but declined amidst protests by human rights activists, who had pledged to disrupt his stay in Britain because of his violent response to demonstrators.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/hindu-jain-sikh-muslim-leaders-invited-to-royal-wedding/articleshow/8088464.cms|newspaper=The Times of India|title=Hindu, Jain, Sikh, Muslim leaders invited to royal wedding|date=26 April 2011}}</ref> On 18 September 2022, he met with King [[Charles III]] at [[Buckingham Palace]], London, to express condolences ahead of the [[Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II|state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.harpersbazaararabia.com/culture/royal-watch/arab-royals-at-queen-elizabeth-ii-funeral |title=Queen Elizabeth II's Funeral: Arab Royals Pay Their Respects Ahead of The Ceremony |date=19 September 2022 |magazine=Harper's Bazaar |access-date=24 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref>In August 2020, King Hamad explained to visiting U.S. Secretary of State [[Mike Pompeo]] that Bahrain was committed to the creation of a [[Palestinian state]], implicitly rejecting the normalization of ties with [[Israel]].<ref>{{cite news |date=26 August 2020 |title=Bahrain rejects U.S. push to normalise relations with Israel |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/bahrain-rejects-push-normalise-relations-israel-200826143913425.html |access-date=26 August 2020 |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]}}</ref> However, on 11 September 2020, it was announced that Bahrain and Israel had [[Bahrain–Israel normalization agreement|agreed]] to establish full diplomatic relations.<ref>{{cite news |date=11 September 2020 |title=Bahrain establishing full diplomatic relations with Israel, Trump announces |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/bahrain-to-establish-full-diplomatic-relations-with-israel-trump-announces/#gs.fvk8xw |newspaper=The Times of Israel}}</ref> On 15 September 2020, Bahrain officially opened state to state relations with Israel, signing diplomatic agreements at a public ceremony at the [[White House]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chappell |first1=Bill |date=15 September 2020 |title=Israel, Bahrain And UAE Sign Deals Formalizing Ties At White House |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/09/15/913164450/israel-bahrain-and-uae-sign-deals-formalizing-ties-at-white-house |access-date=15 September 2020 |newspaper=NPR}}</ref>  On 2 November 2023, Bahrain recalled its ambassador to Israel, seemingly in response to the [[Gaza war]].<ref>{{cite news |date=2 November 2023 |title=Bahrain recalls ambassador from Israel amid escalating assault on Gaza |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/2/bahrain-recalls-ambassador-from-israel-amid-escalating-assault-on-gaza |access-date=2 November 2023 |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Hamad has four wives and has had in total twelve children: seven sons and five daughters.<ref>{{cite news | url=
https://ru-facts.com/how-many-wives-does-the-crown-prince-of-bahrain-have/ | title=How many wives and Daughters does the crown prince of Bahrain have?}}</ref>

* He married his first wife (also his first cousin), Sheikha [[Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa]], at Rifa'a on 9 October 1968. She is Bahraini and together they have three sons and one daughter:
** Sheikh [[Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa|Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain]] (born 21 October 1969)
** Sheikh [[Abdullah bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa]] (born 30 June 1975)
** Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Khalifa (born 4 June 1977)
** Sheikha Najla bint Hamad Al Khalifa (born 20 May 1981)
* His second wife, Sheikha Sheia bint Hassan Al Khrayyesh Al Ajmi is from Kuwait. Together they have two sons:
** Sheikh [[Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa]] (born 8 May 1987)
** Sheikh [[Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa]] (born 23 September 1989)
* His third wife, Sheikha Hessa bint Faisal bin Muhammad bin Shuraim Al Marri, with whom he has one son and two daughters:
** Sheikha Munira bint Hamad Al Khalifa (born 15 July 1990)
** Sheikh [[Faisal bin Hamad Al Khalifa]] (12 February 1991 – 12 January 2006), died in a car accident.
** Sheikha Noura bint Hamad Al Khalifa (born 6 November 1993)
* His fourth wife, Sheikha Manal bint Jabor Al Naimi, with whom he has one son and two daughters:
** Sheikh Sultan bin Hamad Al Khalifa (born 1997)
** Sheikha Hessa bint Hamad Al Khalifa (born 2000)
** Sheikha Rima bint Hamad Al Khalifa (born 2002)

== Honours and awards ==

King Hamad has received numerous honours from:
* {{Flag|Jordan}}: Grand Cordon of the [[Order of the Star of Jordan]] (1 February 1967){{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
* {{Flagicon|Iraq|1963}} [[Ba'athist Iraq|Iraq]]: Member 1st class  of the [[Order of the Two Rivers]] (22 February 1969){{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
* {{Flag|Morocco}}: Member Special Class of the [[Order of Muhammad]] (16 October 1970){{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
* {{Flag|Jordan}}: Grand Cordon of the [[Supreme Order of the Renaissance]] (1 September 1972){{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
* {{Flag|Egypt}}: Grand Cordon of the [[Order of the Republic (Egypt)|Order of the Republic]] (24 January 1973){{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
* {{Flagicon|Iran|1964}} [[Imperial State of Iran|Iran]]: Collar of the [[Order of the Crown (Iran)|Order of the Crown]] (28 April 1973){{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
* {{Flag|Saudi Arabia}}: Collar of the [[Order of Abdulaziz al Saud]] (4 April 1976){{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
* {{Flag|Indonesia}}: [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Indonesia|Star of the Republic of Indonesia]], 1st class (8 October 1977){{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
* {{Flag|Mauritania}}: Member 1st class of the [[National Order of Merit (Mauritania)|National Order of Merit]] (1 April 1978){{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
* {{flag|Cyprus}}: Collar of the [[Order of Makarios III]] (9 March 2015)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cyprus.gov.cy/MOI/pio/pio.nsf/All/7FA1B0634636394AC2257E030035B5ED?OpenDocument|title=Ο Πρόεδρος της Δημοκρατίας έτυχε επίσημης υποδοχής από το Βασιλιά του Μπαχρέιν|last=|first=|date=9 March 2015|publisher=[[Γραφείο Τύπου και Πληροφοριών]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716202540/http://cyprus.gov.cy/MOI/pio/pio.nsf/All/7FA1B0634636394AC2257E030035B5ED?OpenDocument|archivedate=16 July 2019|accessdate=16 July 2019}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Oman}}: Member 1st class of the [[Order of Oman]] (24 October 2022)<ref>[https://www.wam.ae/en/details/1395303094493 Bahraini King holds talks with Sultan of Oman]</ref>
* {{flag|Libya|1977}}: Member 1st class of the Order of the Grand Conqueror of Libya (1 September 1979){{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
* {{Flag|Spain}}: Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of Isabella the Catholic|Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic]] (4 December 1981)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1982/01/04/pdfs/A00102-00102.pdf|title= Otras disposiciones |date=4 December 1981|work=[[Boletín Oficial del Estado]]|access-date=9 March 2021|language=en}}</ref>
* {{flag|Malaysia}}: Honorary Recipient of the [[Order of the Crown of the Realm|Most Exalted Order of the Crown of the Realm]] (DMN, 28 October 2000)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.istiadat.gov.my/index.php/component/semakanlantikanskp/|title=Bahagian Istiadat dan Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa|website=istiadat.gov.my|access-date=15 June 2016|archive-date=19 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719195551/http://www.istiadat.gov.my/index.php/component/semakanlantikanskp|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{Flag|UAE}}: Collar of the [[Order of Zayed]] (2 February 2005){{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
* {{Flag|Ireland}}: Honorary Fellow of the [[Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland]] (Hon FRCSI, 2006){{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
* {{Flag|Yemen}}: Member 1st class of the Order of the Republic of the Yemen (25 March 2010){{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
* {{Flag|Denmark}}: Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Dannebrog]] (SK, 4 February 2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://foto.jp.dk/thumbsnc/1440x960/fto/orig/orig_33582.jpg|title=Photo|access-date=8 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202184502/http://foto.jp.dk/thumbsnc/1440x960/fto/orig/orig_33582.jpg|archive-date=2 December 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{Flag|France}}: Grand Cross of the [[Ordre national du Mérite|National Order of Merit]] {{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
* {{Flag|Tunisia}}: Grand Cordon of the [[Order of the Republic (Tunisia)|Order of the Republic]] (27 January 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vetogate.com/2019193|title=بالصور.. العاهل البحريني يمنح الرئيس التونسي وسام الشيخ عيسى|last=علي رجب|date=27 January 2016|website=بوابة فيتو|language=ar|access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Egypt}}: Collar of the [[Order of the Nile]] (26 April 2016)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sis.gov.eg/section/4415/5125?lang=en-us|title=Mutual Visits|date=|work=sis.gov.eg|access-date=12 March 2021|language=en}}</ref>
* {{flag|Palestine}}: [[Grand Collar of the State of Palestine]] (10 April 2017)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bna.bh/en/news?cms=q8FmFJgiscL2fwIzON1%2BDhVGfv%2F2K%2BNo7FLuZxUM29s%3D|title=HM King receives call from Palestinian President |date=10 April 2020 |work=[[Bahrain News Agency]] |access-date=14 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Brunei}}: Recipient of the [[List of post-nominal letters (Brunei)|Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei]] (DKMB, 3 May 2017)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsofbahrain.com/bahrain/33006.html |title=Bahrain to Bolster ties with Brunei |date=4 May 2017 |work=newsofbahrain.com |access-date=14 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Turkmenistan}}: Member of the Order of Neutrality (18 March 2019).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://uzbekistan.tmembassy.gov.tm/tk/news/30443|title=Королю Бахрейна вручён орден "Bitaraplyk"|work=uzbekistan.tmembassy.gov.tm|access-date= 24 February 2022|language=ru}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Johor}}: Grand Commander of the [[Royal Family Order of Johor|Most Esteemed Royal Family Order of Johor]] (DK I, 26 November 2017)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/11/29/johor-sultan-helps-boost-bahrain-ties-iskandar-malaysia-to-benefit-most|title=Johor Sultan helps boost Bahrain ties|work=The Star.com.my|access-date=13 June 2022|language=en}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Brazil}}: Grand Collar of the [[Order of the Southern Cross|National Order of the Southern Cross]] (12 November 2021)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://noticias.uol.com.br/politica/ultimas-noticias/2021/11/12/bolsonaro-condecora-lideres-do-oriente-medio-antes-de-viagem.htm|title=Bolsonaro condecora líderes do Oriente Médio antes de viagem à região|work=noticias.uol.com.br|access-date=12 November 2021|language=pt}}</ref>
* {{Flag|United Kingdom}}: 
** Honorary Knight Commander of the [[Order of St Michael and St George|Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George]] (KCMG, 15 February 1979){{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
** Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the [[Royal Victorian Order]] (GCVO, 13 November 2024)<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Cameron Walker |user=CameronDLWalker |number=1856721970361930143 |title= King Charles has personally appointed The King of Jordan and The King of Bahrain to be Honorary Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in the year of their Silver Jubilees.}}</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/13/exiles-ask-king-charles-to-rescind-honour-awarded-to-king-of-bahrain Exiles ask King Charles to rescind honour awarded to king of Bahrain]</ref>
* {{Flag|United States}}: Chief Commander of the [[Legion of Merit]] (19 January 2021)<ref>{{cite news |title=M King awarded Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander, by US President |url=https://www.bna.bh/en/HMKingawardedLegionofMeritDegreeChiefCommanderbyUSPresident.aspx?cms=q8FmFJgiscL2fwIzON1%2BDuHiYCRVDYX8hYfFFCP741w%3D |access-date=4 March 2024 |agency=Bahrain News Agency |date=19 January 2021}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Russia}}: Honorary Doctorate from [[Moscow State Institute of International Relations]] (2 July 2021)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsofbahrain.com/bahrain/73790.html |title=Moscow University Awards HM King Hamad Honorary Doctorate |date=3 July 2021 |work= newsofbahrain.com |access-date=13 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

== Ancestry ==
{{ahnentafel
|collapsed=yes |align=center
|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
|1= 1. '''Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa'''
|2= 2. [[Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa]]
|3= 3. [[Hessa bint Salman Al Khalifa]]
|4= 4. [[Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa I|Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa]]
|5= 5. Mouza bint Hamad Al Khalifa
|6= 6. Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa
|8= 8. [[Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa (1872–1942)|Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa]]
|9= 9. a daughter of Salman bin Duaij Al Khalifa
|10= 10. Hamad bin Abdullah Al Khalifa
|12= 12. Ibrahim bin Khalid Al Khalifa
|13= 13. Haya bint Salman Al Khalifa
}}

== See also ==
* [[Politics of Bahrain]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah}}

* [http://www.vob.org/index.php?lang=english&show=news&action=article&id=41 The New Amir of Bahrain: Marching Sideways], [[Abdulhadi Khalaf]], Civil Society, Volume 9, Issue 100, April 2000
* {{cite web|url=http://www.iue.it/RSCAS/RestrictedPapers/conmed2003free/200303Khalaf05.pdf|title=The King's Dilemma: Obstacles to Political Reforms in Bahrain|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927234836/http://www.iue.it/RSCAS/RestrictedPapers/conmed2003free/200303Khalaf05.pdf|archive-date=27 September 2007}} (227 KB), Abdulhadi Khalaf, Fourth Mediterranean Social and Political Research Meeting, [[European University Institute]], March 2003
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090116054359/http://eprints.dur.ac.uk/archive/00000221/ Generational change and elite-driven reforms in the Kingdom of Bahrain. (Sir William Luce Fellowship Paper No. 7)] Dr. Steven Wright (2006) Institute for Middle East and Islamic Studies, [[University of Durham]]
* [http://mondediplo.com/2005/03/09bahrain Bahrain: The Royals rule], Le Monde Diplomatique, March 2005
* [http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=E1_NJSDSTV  An Arab exception: Reform in Bahrain] The Economist, 29 July 2004 (requires subscription)
* {{C-SPAN|1004530}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-hou|[[House of Khalifa]]|28 January|1950}}
{{s-reg}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Emir of Bahrain]]|years=1999–2002}}
{{s-non|reason=Became King}}
{{s-new}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[King of Bahrain]]|years=2002–present}}
{{s-inc|heir={{nowrap|[[Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa]]}}|heir-type=Heir apparent}}
{{s-end}}
{{Arab country leaders}}
{{Current sovereigns}}
{{Bahraini uprising (2011–present)}}
{{Arab Spring}}
{{Monarchs of Bahrain}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa}}
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Bahraini Sunni Muslims]]
[[Category:Asian aviators]]
[[Category:Aviation in Bahrain]]
[[Category:State ministers of Bahrain]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Mons Officer Cadet School]]
[[Category:House of Khalifa|Hamad bin Isa]]
[[Category:Kings of Bahrain]]
[[Category:Marshals of the air force]]
[[Category:People educated at The Leys School]]
[[Category:People of the Bahraini uprising of 2011]]
[[Category:United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni]]
[[Category:Emirs of Bahrain]]
[[Category:Politicide perpetrators]]
<!-- Honours -->
[[Category:Grand Cross of the Ordre national du Mérite]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of the Dannebrog]]
[[Category:Honorary Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic]]
[[Category:Recipients of Grand Collar of Palestine]]
[[Category:Recipients of Supreme Order of the Renaissance (Jordan)]]
[[Category:People from Riffa]]