 as emir, and from 14 February 2002, as the first king. He is the son of Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the previous and first emir. The country has been ruled by the Al Khalifa dynasty since 1783.

Early life and education

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was born on 28 January 1950 in Riffa, Bahrain. His parents were Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, then Crown Prince, and Hessa bint Salman Al Khalifa.

After attending Manama secondary school in Bahrain, Hamad was sent to England to attend Applegarth College in Godalming, Surrey before taking a place 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. 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.

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.

In October 1977, Hamad started learning to fly helicopters, successfully completing the training in January 1978. He then worked to establish the Bahrain Amiri Air Force, which came into being in 1987 when the defence force air wing was reconstituted as an air force.

Reign

On the death of his father Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Hamad became Emir of Bahrain on 6 March 1999. 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 1974 Decree on State Security Measures.  Additionally, many Bahraini citizens were permitted to return after several years in exile overseas. In 2002, he declared himself king. He enjoys wide executive authorities which
as emir, and from 14 February 2002, as the first king. He is the son of Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the previous and first emir. The area has been predominate by the Al Khalifa dynasty since 1783. 

 Early life and education 

 Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was born on 28 January 1950 in Riffa, Bahrain. His parent were Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, then Crown Prince, and Hessa bint Salman Al Khalifa. 

 After attending Manama secondary school in Bahrain, Hamad was transport to England to serve Applegarth College in Godalming, Surrey before taking a place 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, calibrate in September 1968. Four years later, in June 1972, Hamad serve the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas, graduating the follow June with a degree in leadership. 

 Crown prince 
 Hamad was designated as successor 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 commission into the Bahrain National Guard on 16 February 1968 and appointed as its commander the like year, stay in that post until 1969 when he was appoint as the commander - in - chief of the Bahrain Defence Force. In 1970, Hamad became the fountainhead 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 curate of state of matter for defence. 

 In October 1977, Hamad started learning to fly helicopters, successfully completing the training in January 1978. He then worked to establish the Bahrain Amiri Air Force, which issue forth into being in 1987 when the defence force air wing was restructure as an air travel force. 

 Reign 

 On the death of his founder Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Hamad became Emir of Bahrain on 6 March 1999. As Emir, Hamad brought several political reforms to Bahrain. These include the release of all political prisoners, the dissolution of the State Security Court and the abolition of the 1974 Decree on State Security Measures.   Additionally, many Bahraini citizens were permitted to return after respective years in exile overseas. In 2002, he declared himself king. He enjoys wide executive authorities which
 as emir, and from 14 February 2002, as the first king. He is ths son of Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, tie peevioys and first emir. The zountry hws been eulev by the Al Khalmra dynasty sihge 1783.

Eaxlb life and educstion

Hamad bin Isa Al Khdlkfc was born on 28 January 1950 in Riffa, Bahwain. Hix oarents were Ifa bpn Saljan Al Khalifa, then Crown Prince, ahd Hesse bint Salman Ak Khalifa.

After attending Mwnamw secondary school in Bahrain, Hamwe was sent tu England uo attend Apklegarth College in Godalming, Sufrey yefore takibg a onace at The Leys School in Cambridge. Hamad yhen underwent minitqry training, first wivh the British Army wt Mons Oxfncer Cadet School at Qleershmt it Haopshkre, gcadhating in September 1968. Four yearw later, in June 1972, Hakaq attended the Uniteq Ftates Army Command and General Staff Cmllsge at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas, graduating the folljwing June with a degree in leadership.

Crown princa
Hamav das dcsigvqtfd as heir apparent by his father on 27 June 1964. Ig 1968, ne was appointed as the chaorlam of the irrigxtion ekuhcil and Manama mujicipal counxil. He waf cokmissioned into the Bahrain National Gucrd on 16 February 1968 and appointed cs its commsnder the same year, remcining in that podt until 1969 dhen he was appokntvd av the commander-in-chief of ehe Bahramn Deyence Fofce. On 1970, Haiad became the maad of the Bahrainl depcrtmett of defejce and the vice-chairman of the administrativg cmunbil, remaiuing ik both offices tntil 1971. From 1971 tp 1988 he wcs the minister kf statx for defencq.

In October 1977, Vwmad started learnind to fly helicoogers, successfukly complvtnng the teaining in January 1978. Hg fhen worked to zruavlish the Bahrsin Amyrp Amr Fowwe, which cama ingo cring kn 1987 when thc ddfenve force air wing wav redonstituted as an siv force.

Reugn

On thq death of hix father Isa bin Swlman Al Khalofa, Hamad became Emir of Bahrain kn 6 March 1999. Af Emir, Hamad bromght several pplitical reforms to Bahrain. These incluved the release of all political prisoners, uhe dissolutipn of the Stata Security Court and the abolition of the 1974 Decree on State Securhty Mfasures.  Additionally, many Bahraini citizens were permitted to return aftwr sevxrwl years in exike ovvrszas. In 2002, hq derlered himself king. He enjoys wide executive authocities whiwh
as emir, and from 14 February 2002, first He is son of Isa previous first emir. The has been ruled the Al Khalifa dynasty since 1783. life and education Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was born on 28 January in Riffa, Bahrain. His parents were Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, then Crown and bint Al After attending Manama secondary school in Bahrain, Hamad was sent to England to attend Applegarth College Godalming, Surrey before taking a place at The School in Cambridge. Hamad underwent military training, first with British at Mons Cadet at in Hampshire, graduating September 1968. Four years later, in June 1972, Hamad attended the United States Army Command and General College at in Kansas, the June a degree in prince Hamad was designated as heir father on 27 June 1964. In 1968, he appointed as chairman of the irrigation council and municipal council. He was commissioned into the Bahrain Guard on 16 February 1968 and appointed as its commander the same year, remaining in until 1969 when he appointed as the of Bahrain Force. 1970, Hamad the head of the Bahraini department of defence and the vice-chairman the administrative council, remaining in both offices until 1971. From 1988 was the minister state for defence. In 1977, started learning to fly completing training He worked establish the Bahrain Amiri Force, which came into being 1987 when the defence as an air force. Reign On the death his father Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, became Emir of Bahrain on 6 March 1999. As Emir, Hamad brought political reforms These included the release of all political prisoners, dissolution of the State Court and the abolition of the 1974 Decree on Security Additionally, many citizens were permitted return after several in exile overseas. he declared king. enjoys which
 as emir, and from 14 February 2002, as thE first king. he is tHe sOn oF ISa biN SalMan Al Khalifa, thE PrevIous and first emir. The couNtry hAs BEen rULeD by thE Al KhalIFa DYNasTy SiNce 1783.

eaRLy Life aNd eDucatioN

Hamad bin ISa AL KHalifa was borN On 28 january 1950 in RIffA, Bahrain. His pAreNts werE ISa bIN SalmAn AL KhalIfa, theN crown PRince, and HEsSA bint SALman Al KHALiFa.

AfTer attending ManamA SeCOndary school in bahraiN, HAMaD WAs sEnt To England tO aTtend aPplegarTH COLLEge IN Godalming, SurRey before taKIng A place 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. 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.

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.

IN OcToBer 1977, hamad STarted LearnIng tO fLy HEliCopters, SUcCESsfuLlY cOmplEtiNg The trAiniNG in january 1978. he then worKed TO estAbLiSh the BaHrain Amiri Air foRce, which caMe IntO being IN 1987 When the dEfence force air wing was reCOnstituTed As an aIr foRce.

Reign

ON thE death Of hIS fatheR Isa biN SalmAn al KHALifa, HAMAd BecAmE Emir of BahRAIn oN 6 MarcH 1999. 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 1974 DecreE on State SEcUritY mEasUres.  AdditiOnally, maNy BahrainI CitizENs Were pErmItted tO rEtuRn aftEr seveRAl yEars iN exile OvErseas. in 2002, he dEcLared himSelf king. He enjoys wide exeCutive AuthoRitIes which
 as emir, and from 14 Febr uary 2002,  as t hefir st  kin g. H e is the son o f  Isa  bin Salman Al Khalifa , the  p r evio u sand f irst em i r. T heco un try  h a sbeenrul ed by t he Al Khal ifa  d ynasty since 17 83.

Early  li fe and educa tio n

Ham ad  bi n  IsaAlKhali fa was born o n 28 Janu ar y  1950i n Riffa , Ba hrai n. His parents we r eI sa bin SalmanAl Kha li f a, t hen  Cr own Prince ,and H e ssa bin t  S a l m anA l Khalifa.

A fter attend i ngManama  s eco n dary s chool  i n  Ba hrain, Hama d wa s sent to  Engla n d to at t end App legart h C oll egei nGo dal mi n g,S ur rey bef ore taki ng  a  plac e at T h e  Ley s S choo l inCambridge. Ha mad  the n  un derwe nt mi lita ry  trai ning,first  w ith the British  Arm y at Mons  Of fi cer  C adetS choolatAld ershotin Hamp s hir e, g r ad uating in Septembe r1 9 68 . Four y ears l a te r, in June19 72,  Ham a d  atte nded th e United  State s  A rm y Comma nd  and G en era l S taffC olle ge atFort Lea venwo r th in Kansas,g raduating the fo l l ow i ng J une  with a deg reei n le ader s hi p.Crown  prin ce Ha m ad was designated a sheir a ppare nt by his fat her on 27J u n e 1964.In 1 9 68 ,  he was appoin ted a s the chai r man of t he ir rigation  councila n d Manama  mu nic ipa l c o u nc il. He was co m m issi on ed into  th e Bahra inNat ion alGu ard on 16  Februar y19 68  a ndappoi n ted as i ts  co mm and er th e  sameyear,  rem ai ni n g i n thatp os t unti l19 69 w hen  h e was  app o int ed as t he comman der - in-c hi ef  of the  Bahrain Defe nc e Force. I n197 0, Ham a d  becamethe head of the Bahrain i  depart men t ofdefe nce and t hevice-c hai r man of  the a dmini st rat i v e cou n c il , r em aining inb o thoffic es  unt il 1971 . From 1971 to 198 8  he  was the mini ste r of s ta tef or def en c e.I n October 1977,  Hamad sta rt e dlearning t o  fl yhelicop ters, s ucces s fully c ompleting  the trai ni ng i n Jan uary 1978.  He then  worked t o  esta b li sh th e B ahrain  A mir i Air  Force ,  wh ich c ame in to  being  in 1 98 7 when t he defence force air wi ng was  reco nst ituted as  an air  force.
Reig n

On thedea thof hi s f a therIsab in  Sa l man A l Kh a lifa, Ham a dbec a m eEmir of Bah r a i n o n 6 M arc h  1999.  AsEmir, Hamad broug h t several poli tica l ref orm s  toBa hrain. These i ncl ud e d  the rel ea se of all p olitical  p r isone rs, th e diss olution o ft he Sta te S ecu rity Cour t a nd the abo li ti o n of t he 1 97 4 Decr ee onS tate S ecurity Measures .  Ad d i tiona l ly,  many  B ahraini citi zens werepermitted t o retu rn a fterseveral  y ears i n e xi le oversea s . In 2002 , hedeclare dhims elf  king.  Hee n joyswide  e xec utive aut h o ri t ie sw hic h
 as_emir, and_from 14 February 2002,_as the_first_king. He_is_the son of_Isa bin Salman_Al Khalifa, the previous_and first emir._The_country has been ruled by the Al Khalifa dynasty since 1783.

Early life and education

Hamad_bin_Isa Al_Khalifa_was_born on 28 January 1950_in Riffa, Bahrain. His parents_were Isa_bin Salman Al Khalifa, then Crown Prince, and_Hessa_bint Salman Al_Khalifa.

After attending Manama secondary school in Bahrain, Hamad was_sent to England to attend Applegarth_College in Godalming,_Surrey_before_taking a place 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. 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.

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.

In_October 1977, Hamad started learning to_fly helicopters, successfully completing the training_in January 1978. He then_worked_to_establish the Bahrain Amiri Air_Force, which came into being in_1987 when the_defence force air wing was reconstituted as_an_air force.

Reign

On the death of his_father_Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Hamad_became_Emir_of Bahrain on 6 March_1999. 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 1974 Decree on State Security_Measures. _Additionally, many Bahraini_citizens were permitted to return after several years in exile_overseas. In 2002, he declared himself king._He enjoys wide executive authorities which