Departure of a visionary statesman: Bahrain’s Prince Khalifa bin Salman

BAHRAIN: In today's world, finding an individual in the position of leadership who is a statesman or a visionary is a rare occurrence. Exuding both qualities is even more hard to find; but that is what Prince Khalifa bin Salman (KBS) Al-Khalifa, the Bahraini prime minister who died on Nov. 11, embodied and why his legacy will endure for years to come.

Returning to Bahrain in late 1987 after spending 13 years studying and working in the UK, I recall what an eye-opening experience it was for me to see how Bahrain had evolved from the time I left in 1974, to the plate-glass economic hub it had become later in its boom.

Bahrain had, by any definition and for all practical purposes, pioneered the very concept of economic diversification away from oil dependency. It was clear that Bahrain was implementing a vision for transformation leading to an ultimate goal — the creation of a stable, sustainable economy through effective diversification.

When I inquired from my most trusted Bahraini friend aside from family members, Professor Abdulla Al-Hawaj, he explained that “KBS was the chief architect (of that vision) and he has been able to articulate the plan with enough clarity and focus to put Bahrain on the world map.”

A few months after my return my office was contacted by the prime minister’s court requesting that I attend his weekly majlis (special gathering) on a Sunday morning. Unfortunately, I could not make it on that occasion because I was on a business trip abroad.

The Kingdom of Bahrain is in mourning, with the departure of a visionary statesman, who oversaw its economic, social, and political transformation from an oil-dependent nation into a modern and technologically advanced economy.

Khalid Abdulla-Janahi

Upon my return two weeks later, I did go to the majlis, whose audience included academics, businessmen, diplomats and ruling family members waiting for KBS to join. Upon his arrival, everyone was rushing to be the first one to shake his hand.

As not being familiar with this process, I waited until I was ushered by one of protocol officers to advance and shake KBS’s hand. Being the first time that we meet in person, he held my hand firmly and looking directly into my eyes and to my surprise he was fully aware of my profile, including my background, and he said he hoped that my business trip was successful.

As he was speaking to me, I remembered my late grandfather’s description of one of the main characteristics of visionaries: “of knowing what people are thinking simply by looking into their eyes.” From that first meeting it was abundantly clear to me that KBS was able to read people well and that he was fixated on a much bigger plan than could be perhaps understood by most people.

This was among my first realizations that he was unusual, and unlike most people in the position of leadership in the Arab world I had encountered.

In the ensuing years I had the privilege and pleasure of meeting KBS on many occasions. He was always supportive and like great leaders, he sought to empower and build up others.

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BIO

* KBS was born on Nov. 24, 1935.

* Became Bahrain’s PM in 1970.

* Other posts include head of State Council and Supreme Defense Council.

*Died at Mayo Clinic Hospital, US.

* Survivors include three children.

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I recall, particularly with foreign dignitaries, he would introduce me as “our chartered accountant from England & Wales.” This was something natural with KBS.  He was proud of Bahrainis who were excelling in their field and curious to understand their myriad disciplines.

My late uncle, the architect Ahmed Abubaker Janahi, was one such example. In the early nineties, Ahmed was the young architect responsible for the first shopping malls in Bahrain. The week before the opening of one of them, which would be inaugurated under the patronage of KBS, I was asked to visit KBS, who had not yet met Ahmed, and he requested that I introduce them to one another prior to the event.

Their meeting, on the margins of the ceremony, became a technical seminar, with KBS posing a flurry of questions about the architectural complexities of the building. I remember this conversation like it was yesterday. This inquisitiveness is a characteristic that I observed and admired greatly, that I have embraced myself.

KBS was a great believer in education. He was always surrounded by Bahraini academics. He was always encouraging the development of higher education institutions. I witnessed his great support for the establishment of the first Ahlia University as the first private university in Bahrain.

On a personal basis, he was always supportive though he knew very well that I was not a conformist and had my opinions which differed from most others. He knew well, however, that although I had sometimes opposing viewpoints, it was for the greater good.

I can never forget his encouragement and guidance when I was offered an opportunity to move to Geneva in 1997. He stood firmly to back my nomination for the position, and he insisted to be my personal reference. For that, and that alone, I will always be indebted to him.

Even when I left Bahrain, I knew that KBS was supportive. In late 2000, I was contacted by one of the ministers telling me that KBS was asking I go to Bahrain to meet him. Three days later I was in KBS’s personal office.

He told that he was nominating me to be a member of the newly formed Higher Council of Economic Development which he was chairing. This was an honor for any Bahraini, let alone for a Bahraini who was based abroad.

For decades, KBS worked hand in hand with his brother, the late Emir Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, in modernizing the country in all aspects. He was always a great support and aid to His Majesty, Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, in the reform process as well throughout the past decades.

The Kingdom of Bahrain is in mourning, with the departure of a visionary statesman, who oversaw its economic, social, and political transformation from an oil-dependent nation into a modern and technologically advanced economy.

KBS is no longer with us physically but his impact endures and his spirit lives on. May he rest in peace.

* Khalid Abdulla-Janahi, chairman of Vision3, has over 30 years of experience in banking and financial services.