The farewell.

Bahrain had just started to savor the sweet taste of stability when Sheikh Salman health began to deteriorate. This man tolerated hardships and fatigue in an amazing way; he was an Arab Knight who overcame pain and was higher than complaint. Sheikh Salman did not know the taste of rest and relaxation and his working hours extended till the night and begin early in the morning.

His Highness daily program starts his day at eight; he reaches his own office in Bab Al Bahrain, which was previously in use by a number of government departments. After having some Arabian coffee he welcomes citizens who are waiting to salute him; he looks into his applications and affairs then he starts his formal work which includes interviews, meetings, daily visits, notices, daily reviews and correspondence.

My God rest his soul, he ignored the doctors instructions who were concerned over his health, advised him not to work till a late hour, and to reduce working hours for the sake of Bahrain and its people. In spite of this, he remained consistent in his program which he chose for himself and got used to since youth.

Those who know His Highness Sheikh Khalifa might wonder about this rush, selflessness, insistence on working for long hours, tendency to attend public affairs, and his personal supervision of its execution and implementation. To all those who are wondering with surprise and amazement, I have something to tell them about the secret of His Highness Sheikh Khalifas personality.

According to intellectuals who say that every character has a key to understand it, the key to the personality of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa lies in the immense influence of his father, the late Sheikh Salmanand the fathers pride of his son, who managed to follow the example of his father in the love of Bahrain, and self-denial. This also applies, and at the same level, on the personality of His Highness the late Emir Sheikh Isa Bin Salman, may God rest his soul. Both brothers may differ in their ways of expressing their love of Bahrain, but this difference is a sign of integration and not conflict.

His Highness Sheikh Salman was very practical in his style and dealings with the various issues, and this quality is fully incarnated in his son, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa. Biljrev was irritated by the fact that His Highness Sheikh Salman was reviewing the budget himself, though annoying this might sound to him, but he expressed his admiration of His Highnesss taking the initiative, and the completion of his work by himself. These are the remarkable qualities he inherited from his father His Highness Sheikh Khalifa or adapted while watching his father.

The sincerity to the intentions, dreams and schemes of the ancestors and fulfilling them is a quality that appeared clear in His Highness Sheikh Salman and later on it was incarnated in the two brothers. Sheikh Salman, expressed immense interest in establishing the Shura Council, and e announced this himself. Perhaps it will not be a surprising fact that this Council is the idea of the Father and later resumed by the son Sheikh Salman. He tried to achieve this Council but the obstacles planted by Biljrev hindered him. The keenness of His Highness to fulfill this idea is supported by the dedicated men, who were his attendants; he listened to their views and consultations and managed through them to look at the details of the lives of his people and their demands.

We have said that His Highness Sheikh Salman rejected the advice of doctors to rest ... If stopped at this point, it would have been better for the man who believed Bahrain was a piece of his heart; it hurt him to see the mischief of some of his people and the foreign ambitions. Upon this, his health deteriorated day after day.

The two brothers: Isa and Khalifa had tried to reduce the tension and pressure on their father in addition to convincing him to rest; they transported detailed news about the country and followed his guidance on the managing some issues. His Highness Sheikh Khalifa hardly abandoned his father in his last days ... especially after His Highness Sheikh left to stay at Safera, upon the deterioration of his health.

The knight fought back disease and complaint, but the will of God, did not grant him much time; he [assed away at about 9am , Thursday morning, October 2nd, 1961 at the age of 67 years, after nearly 20 years as the governor of Bahrain, leading it in a turbulent sea, making his country stronger after every crisis.

Tears of Sadness

His Highness Sheikh Salman, May God rest his soul, was a statesman of the extraordinary founders, who was able to employ what he possessed of intellectual faculties, personal and physical capabilities, discernment, wisdom and deep faith, to accomplish his great national role, in spite of all the difficulties that accompanied the stages of this role. Although he was present with his achievements in the documentations of history, he is still present in the hearts of Bahrain's people, not only because of these achievements, but also because of his outstanding personality, which brought kindness and compassion to his firmness and force, well-known purity and good heart and his intelligence and shrewdness. This great leader has combined his serious, leading role with the pious humane personality of the father, uncle and brother, who I always close to the problems and concerns of his family and home. Perhaps we will not exaggerate if we say that the life of this late Sheikh, may God rest his soul, in his home and with his family, deserves a book of its own, to inspire the sons of Bahrain and teach the present generations to follow the greatness of this man, his distinctiveness and courteous character.

One of the stories told by the Sheikhs of Al Khalifa about His Highness Sheikh Salman is the story Sheikh Salman Bin Daaej Al Khalifa, cousin of His Highness Sheikh Isa and His Highness Sheikh Khalifa, has told me, describing the relationship between His Highness Sheikh Salman, and his brother Sheikh Daaej. It was a unique relationship of mutual intimacy, respect, prestige and revere; His Highness Sheikh Daaej sought the advice of his brother His Highness Sheikh Salman in various family matters of family, even the simple matters, because he was aware of His Highness Sheikh Salmans attention to all the family affairs.

His Highness, and in spite of his busy schedule and the concerns of governance and its nuisance, was keen to give some time to his family to inquire about its welfare and follow up its affairs:

Sheikh Salman bin Daaej says: at the end of the 1940s, I wanted to learn to ride horses, and this sport, which was widespread at the time, and it was natural not to find a young man in those times who did not exercise riding horses and who did not own a horse or a number of horses. I asked for my fathers permission to learn to ride horses, and though this matter sounds very simple from my point of view at that time, my father refused to authorize this until he consults with his brother His Highness Sheikh Salman and asked for his opinion on the matter!

The second story told by Sheikh Salman has great significance. I will not comment on the story told by the narrator, Sheikh Salman bin Daaej, who says: in 1953, I asked my father to buy me a car, and after a long discourse, he agreed and told me to go to car agents and chose the car I want. I chose a Ford, which was too expensive; amounting to R 1300. My father did not allocate this amount to the car, and personally, I did not have enough money. Upon this my father ordered me to go to my uncle His Highness Sheikh Salman and ask for financial assistance to be able to buy the car.

Sheikh Salman Bin Daaej goes on saying: In spite of my happiness, I was very tense to approach him on this subject, and therefore, I wrote him a letter explaining my need for this amount of money, to add to the amount available with us, to be able to pay for the car.

I went to my uncles, Majles (council), the Governor, and with much embarrassment, I gave him my letter while he was preparing to perform the afternoon prayer. His Highness read the letter but did not comment with anything; he only put the letter in his pocket and then went to pray. After praying, His Highness called me for his Majles; I entered with apparent confusion and tension; His Highness noticed my state and, may God rest his soul, chatted with me then asked me: where do you intend to buy the car from? I answered His Highness that it is from Haj Khalil Kano Company. With a smile, humility and love he said: Go to Haj Khalil Kano, and tell him to send me the invoice of the cost of the car so I order it e fully paid.

As for the relationship of His Highness Sheikh Salman with his brothers and in particular His Highness Sheikh Daaej, the latter recalls that it was a formal relationship, according to the protocols, but at the same time it was vividly intimate and sincere. At one time, there was a difference in views between His Highness Sheikh Salman and his brother His Highness Sheikh Daaej, and the former had established a luncheon at Sheikh Hamads palace near our house at Al Kadebeyah. However, His Highness Sheikh Salman did not send an invitation to his brother Sheikh Daaej because of a misunderstanding or something else. When Sheikh Daaej knew about his event, he hastened to wear his clothes and went to the palace and attended the banquet. And there, when he had a chance to talk in private with the governor, he said: I was not invited today, but I have come without an invitation in honor of Your Highness pride and prestige as a brother and a Governor.

One of the stories of Sheikh Salman Bin Daaej is that His Highness the Governor had visited his brother Sheikh Daaej in his old house; he noted the narrowness of the house, and without telling his brother, he took the initiative to build a large house for his family near the Palace of Sheikh Hamad at Al Qudaibeya. He also ordered for the construction of a farm at Al Qalai for his brother Sheikh Daaej. Those were happy days, says the wife of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Chairman of the Board of Directors (1956-1966).

The wife of His Highness Sheikh Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the former Chairman of the courts in Bahrain, adds: However, the British were always working to sow discord in the country, and Mr. Dili was very cunning; he spread rumors among the Bahraini people that the members of the ruling family were in dispute. Sheikha goes on saying: dont believe what you might hear about the disagreement, or bickering between His Highness Sheikh Salman and his brother Sheikh Daaej or the rest of the brothers. Their bond is much stronger than the British attempts, who when failed to create disputes between the brothers, waved rumors that it exist.

This had been their policy for a long time; in the era of Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, the Governor of Bahrain (1869 . 1932), we used to visit the family of Sheikh Abdullah bin Isa in the summer in the Castle region (known as Sulaymaniya now), because of its moderate climate and its profound trees and palm. One day a stone fell in the house yard wrapped in a letter; one of the maids brought it to the father, who read the letter and found an advice from someone saying that Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa will kill Sheikh Abdullah Bin Isa! The father took this letter tohis father, Sheikh Isa bin Ali and a few days later Sheikh Hamad visited him holding a similar letter that claims Sheikh Abdullah is planning to kill Sheikh Hamad. Here Sheikh Isa smiled...

He took the letter, which fell in the house yard, and which he did not tell Sheikh Hamad about, telling her brother: they are trying to sow discord between you now; never let them achieve their goals through you.

The Sheikha, the daughter of Sheikh Abdullah Bin Isa, also adds: This wise advice was inherited among generations; the British machinations continued at the same pace, but the bond that ties the brothers was much stronger than the enemies attempts, who after every unsuccessful attempt try to start again.

One of these attempts, the Sheikha says was a rumor that spread during the reign of Sheikh Isa Bin Ali that he mistreated the Shiites. This was not true at all because the maid in charge of Sheikh Isas room was a Shiite woman and the only one allowed entering his room. Her husband Mr. Hashim was also responsible for bringing the needs of Sheikh Isa and who worked with His highness with sincerity. The Sheikh trusted them a lot and treated them with kindness.

Before we leave this beautiful time with its pleasant stories, I will tell you this story that, though not linked to the topic of talk, but it refers to the brotherhood and humility of Al-Khalifa rulers, young and oldand the simplicity of the governors, the Senate and the princes.

His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Daaej and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad, and His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad traveled to Iraq in a hunting trip. They took a number of escorts and domestic servants with them, along with a Jewish woman who declared her Islam in Bahrain, and her name was Massouda. This lady mastered the art of cooking and prepared very delicious dishes. Upon the return of Sheikh Daaej and his brothers in the boat from the Iraqi port of Basra, they stopped at the port of Kuwait, where the vessel boarded, and His Highness Sheikh Abdullah al-Salem, who was the crown prince of Kuwait at that time, came on board of the ship; he was on his way to India on the same ship.

In their way, Masuda was prepared food on the ship and saw a man passing nearby wearing ordinary Arab clothes; she called him saying: Hey man, are you one of the Sheikhs servants? The man replied: what do you want? She replied: go and tell Hussein the thief, one of the servants that the food of the Sheikhs is ready; let him come to take it. The man laughed and went to deliver the message of Masuda to Hussein the thief. Later he came to the Sheikhs council telling them with laughter what happened to him; this man was His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem and Masuda did not know!

This incident was a source of laughter and humor for Sheikh Daaej, and Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem in their meetings. It is the reason behind the emergence of a warm friendship between the two men and which continued after His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem assumed the reins of power in Kuwait. In fact, he assumed power in the course of this trip, as the news about the death of the Emir of Kuwait came during his stay on the ship. Thus, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem returned to Kuwait. The friendly relationship between him and Sheikh Daaej remained constant, and they exchanged visits; Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem was keen to visit the house of Sheikh Daaej whenever he visited Bahrain.

Those who know His Highness Sheikh Salman closely, hardly ever mention any one when talking about humility; he was living a simple life, even closer to asceticism, as described by Andrew Etkrovic in his book The Life and Era of Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa. When he mentions the humility of His Highness Sheikh Salman, he cites two incidents that have deep influence and profound meaning emphasizing that the facts told about Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa is often beyond the scope of stories.

His Highness was in his way to Manama when the car broke down; he asked one of his companions to stop any subsequent passing car. The car was a pick-up truck; the attendant tried to intervene to convince the Sheikh not to ride in such a vehicle. However, the Sheikh insisted on riding in this truck beside the astonished driver who was shocked that his car became a car for the Emir of Kuwait The ride was not comfortable, but Sheikh Salman arrived finally in front of his house and said to the driver, who insisted on the inadequacy of the truck for the Sheikh: Now, did this ride lower the status of Sheikh Salman?

Mr. Yousef Al Sherawi, and the source here is Tekrovic book, says that His Highness Sheikh Salman, and after an inspection visit to the hospital he established in 1957, expressed his admiration of the equipments, services and excellent expertise, but he was feeling a deep sorrow and saddens for the mothers and children who find all this care and refined health conditions in the hospital and then return to their villages, where poverty and disease prevail.

His Highness was always caring for the poorest Bahrainis and the most simple and nave, as Etkrovic, who wrote about His Highness Sheikh Salmans wisdom, comments when he expressed his awareness of the need for preventive health care, together with curative health in a very early period in time.

Few years after the beginning f his reign, Bahrain became void of various diseases known at the time such as cholera, malaria and others. Bahrain became a medical, therapeutic center, advanced in the Arabian Peninsula with this spirit and this admirable personality. His Highness Sheikh Salman was alone capable of establishing the pillars of a modern state, advancing rapidly in various areas of life, and catching up with development and the techniques of civilization.

With this good sense and predictability, which demonstrate the depth of analysis of His Highness the Sheikh, he addressed his attention to the young generation; therefore, he surrounded himself as Biljrev admits grudgingly- with young Bahrainis which had won Bahrain a generation of leaders who accompanied his two sons: Isa and Khalifa from the start.

Upon the death of His Highness Sheikh Salman, he managed to accomplish the beginnings of the Bahraini Renaissance, and put it on the road to modernity. He died with an assurance that Bahrain will resume its track; its reign moved to the two young men whom he prepared from the outset to carry the banner of the country.

The two brothers: Isa and Khalifa, who were taught in the school of the leader, the father and the Prince, the wisdom and patience during catastrophes. Although His Highness Sheikh Isa was only twenty eight years old and His Highness Sheikh Khalifa was only twenty six, they obeyed the well of God with faith, patience and wisdom; they set vows to hold to carry this precious mission, and this became one of the greatest blessings of God to Bahrain.

Tears of profound sadness had prevailed Bahrain upon the immediate announcement of the sad news to the public, who rushed to the palace of His Highness Sheikh Salman to salute its loyal prince, loving father, and inspiring leader. The sad hearts bereaved trying in vain to standstill, but it managed to endure the shock and stand by His Highness Sheikh Isa and His Highness Sheikh Khalifa in this great adversity. This is the time to repay the man who held Bahrain in his big heart and to bury the man in the land he loved with sincerity and died for.

The funeral procession led by His Highness Sheikh Isa bin Salman, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman, their uncles and senior Al-Khalifa Sheikh s, and a crowd of Bahrainis who flocked in from all over the country. The procession marched from Al Rafa to Al Hanineh cemetery, and there His Highness was rested beside his father, God bless his soul.

Over a period of three days the two brothers, His Highness Sheikh Isa and His Highness Sheikh Khalifa, were receiving condolences at Al Rafa Palace, which hosted crowds of mourners from Bahrain and abroad.

In the last hours of Saturday the 4th of November 1961, Bahrain had been ending an era and welcoming a new era. Bahrain was trying to overcome its grief in preparation for the new epoch and the new governor, who is the son of their late Governor. They were waiting to announce their obedience and loyalty and in return His Highness will affirm the message he inherited from his ancestors of Al Khalifa, who have worked for justice and peace and registered bright pages in Bahrains history.