Page 13 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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DEATH OF HIS HIGHNESS SHAIKH HAMAD
and
ACCESSION OF HIS HIGHNESS SHAIKH SALMAN.
His Highness Shaikh Hamad died on 20th February at Rumaitha where he
was staying in one of his hunting lodges. He made his last public appearance
four days before his death at a ceremonial parade of the State Forces which was
held at the Manamah Palace to celebrate the tenth anniversary of his accession.
His health had given cause for anxiety for some time, for many years he had been
suffering from diabetes. He was buried in the cemetery on the plain below Rafaa.
Shaikh Hamad was the second son of the late Ruler Shaikh Isa bin Ali, who
reigned for about sixty years. His elder brother, Shaikh Salman, died when he
was comparatively young. Shaikh Hamad was appointed Heir Apparent by his
father in 1896. When Shaikh Isa retired from active participation in public
affairs Shaikh Hamad became Deputy Ruler and he succeeded to the Shaikhdom
on his father's death in 1932.
In 1921 Shaikh Hamad received the C.S.I. and in 1935 he was created
K.C.I.E. He was made a Knight of the Grand Cross of the Sacred Order of the
Pope Saint Silvester by His Holiness the Pope.
He went to England twice, in 1925 and 1936, on the second occasion he was
the guest of the British Government. He frequently visited India and in 1937 he
did the pilgrimage to Mecca.
When Shaikh Hamad became Deputy Ruler conditions in Bahrain were
very different to what they arc now, there was a lack of law and order and fre­
quently Shaikh Hamad was confronted with disturbances and disorders. Once
he narrowly escaped assassination. During his rule he successfully introduced
many wise reforms and instituted a stable and lasting administration. He devoted
a great part of the revenue towards improving the lot of his people by providing
social services and establishing public security. He set up municipalities, courts,
and public departments and he built schools, hospitals, roads and bridges, he lived
to see his country become prosperous and important. Shaikh Hamad will long be
remembered in Bahrain and in the other States around the Gulf as a benevolent
just and tolerant ruler.
His Highness Shaikh Hamad was succeeded by his eldest son Shaikh Salman
bin Hamad, who was born in 1895. Shaikh Salman was appointed Heir Apparent
in a document written by his father about two years before he died but the contents
of this document were not made public. Shaikh Salman's accession was unani­
mously approved by the chief members of the Ruling Family, immediately after
Shaikh Hamad’s death he assumed control of affairs.
His official accession day was celebrated on 6th April 1942. At a public
Durbar which was held at the Manamah Palace he received from the Honourable
Political Resident in the Persian Gulf a Kharita from His Excellency the Viceroy
and then acknowledged the expressions of loyalty and the congratulations of the
Khalifah Shaikhs, the religious leaders, Government officials and many hundreds
of Arab and foreign notables who assembled for the occasion.
On 1st January 1943 His Highness Shaikh Salman was created K.C.I.E.