[Thread] The Early Professional Years of the Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad (God bless and protect him from harm)

I had an intriguing conversation with an ex-Cabinet minister on Sheikh Sabah's formative years & how he grew into his role later on as the Minister of Foreign Affairs
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[photo above: Sheikh Sabah in the early 60s]
According to the ex-minister, both Sheikh Sabah & his older brother the late Sheikh Jaber (God rest his soul) were assigned important roles at a young age, by their father Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber the 10th ruler (God have mercy on him)./2

For example, Sheikh Jaber was appointed the Governor of Ahmadi at the age of 18, while Sheikh Sabah was appointed the head of the Department of Social Affairs & Labour at 25-years-old. They learnt from the British & the Americans & were "kept close to their father" (see photo)./3

Heading the Department of Social Affairs & Labour, Sheikh Sabah was concerned by the increasing influx of foreign labour into KW. With the advice of an English expert, Mr J.M. Strover, he would draw regulations that would keep a reasonable percentage of Kuwaitis in public work./4

The Englishman's report recommended that work permits be issued only to workers who legally entered KW. Sheikh Sabah issued a resolution to carry this out. Later he would establish technical & vocational training centres for Kuwaiti workers, preparing them for the workforce. /5

Among other objectives, Sheikh Sabah was concerned about youth care. In the 50s he was honorary president of the Teachers' club & was keen to eradicate illiteracy. He believed that the youth formed the pillar of Kuwait's future. [Sheikh Sabah at a cultural event in the 1950s] /6

As KW looked set for independence, the Emir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem (God rest his soul) sought a strong, forward-looking cabinet. That involved Sheikh Jaber and Sheikh Sabah. Later, Sheikh Sabah would head the Ministry of Guidance & News. (the Ministry of Information today). /7

As minister, Sheikh Sabah developed all Kuwaiti media, ranging from the newspapers to the tv. One of his most important tasks was to confront the allegations propagated by the Iraqi radio and press launched by 'Abdulkarim Qassem. To this end, he used the media effectively. /8

The crisis was averted in part due to Sheikh Sabah's publication of official documents that reaffirm KW's independence from Iraq, refuting historical claims on KW by 'Abdulkarim Qassem. Sheikh Sabah emphasised the falsehood of these claims that showed expansionist ambitions. /9

To clarify Sheikh Sabah's early trajectory in public service:
Dept of Social Affairs & Labour
--> Dept of Printing & Publication
--> Ministry of Guidance & News (later known as the Ministry of Information)
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To finish this thread, two interesting photos:
1. The late Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed & Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed, with the late 'Ezzat Jafaar. Sheikh Sabah's hobby, photography, is evident here.
2. Young Sheikh Sabah & Sheikh Jaber attending an occasion.

(all photos from the CRSK)