It is a tradition of the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in Brasilia, every year, to celebrate its National Day in a magnificent way. However, this year the Kuwaiti people are in a 40 days mourning, paying homage to His Majesty Sheik Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait since 1978, who passed away on January 15th, 2006. It was an irreparable loss to the social and political world, mainly to the Kuwaiti people, who used to call the Governor as “Baba Jaber” (Dad Jaber).

The present Emir of the State of Kuwait, His Majesty Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who took possession on January, 29th, 2006, established a short transition period, between January 15th-29th, when the Government of the State of Kuwait was completely restructured, predominating the intention of giving continuity to the Human Rights politician and looking for World Peace among the people.

The Embassy of the State of Kuwait in Brasilia began its activities on 1975. However, it was between the years of 2004 and 2005 that the bilateral relation Brazil-Kuwait gave a positive huge step. Both countries hope that in 2006 these relations grow even more.

Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

Sheikh Jaber (of the Al-Sabah dynasty which has ruled Kuwait since its establishment in the 17th Century) was the third son of the late Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who served as Kuwait's Emir from 1921 to 1950.

Sheikh Jaber received his early education at al-Mubarakiya School and was subsequently tutored privately in religion, English, Arabic, and sciences. In 1949, Sheikh Jaber served as Director of Public Service for the Ahmadi region. In 1962, he was appointed Kuwait's first Minister of Finance and Economy. Sheikh Jaber was appointed Prime Minister of Kuwait in 1965 and subsequently named Crown Prince in 1966. He succeeded his cousin, Sabah III Al-Salim Al-Sabah in December 1977, and had been Prime Minister of Kuwait for a decade before.

In 1981, he dissolved the National Assembly of Kuwait, exercising his powers as foreseen in Kuwait's Constitution. In 1991, after the Gulf War, Sheikh Jaber reinstated the National Assembly. In 1999 he proposed an amendment to Kuwait's Election Law, allowing women to elect and be elected; the bill was rejected by the National Assembly, however, and it was not re-introduced for the MPs until the year 2005, when Kuwait's parliament had finally granted Kuwait's women political rights.

Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah passed away on January 15, 2006.