Abdullah Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa
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Abdullah bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (; born 30 June 1975) is the second son of the present King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah, and his first wife, Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa. Like all members of the royal family, Abdullah sits as a senior member of the civil
judiciary The judiciary (also known as the judicial system, judicature, judicial branch, judiciative branch, and court or judiciary system) is the system of courts that adjudicates legal disputes/disagreements and interprets, defends, and applies the law ...
. In addition to his government positions, Abdullah is chairman of the Bahrain Motor Federation and the Commission Internationale de Karting. He is the eighth in-line to succeed his father as ruler of the Kingdom of Bahrain. His son, Sheikh Isa bin Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, is a successful racecar driver and co-owner of a GT3 team, 2 Seas Motorsport.


Friendship with Michael Jackson

A long-time fan and personal friend of American pop legend
Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Michael Jackson, one of the most culturally significan ...
, Abdullah had loaned Jackson $2.2million to assist in the singer's legal fees after he was tried for child molestation in
California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...
(2005); after a successful defense, and the subsequent dismissal of all charges, Abdullah invited Jackson (with his children and personal entourage) to vacation in Bahrain. Jackson took him up on the invitation on 30June 2005. Following the 2005 tragedy of
Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Katrina was a powerful, devastating and historic tropical cyclone that caused 1,392 fatalities and damages estimated at $125 billion in late August 2005, particularly in the city of New Orleans and its surrounding area. ...
, and wanting to help revive Jackson's music career, Sheikh Abdullah suggested that Jackson record a song (which Abdullah had written lyrics for) as a Katrina charity single, entitled "I Have This Dream". Jackson attended recording sessions for the track in London; however, the single was never officially released through the Sheikh's co-owned
record label "Big Three" music labels A record label or record company is a brand or trademark of Sound recording and reproduction, music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is also a Music publisher, ...
, 2Seas Group. Jackson then left Bahrain in May 2006 for
Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
. In November 2008, after trying to recover from Jackson £4.7million in fees that the singer had said were "gifts", Abdullah sued him through the mutually agreed High Court in London. Abdullah claimed that, despite having paid the $2.2million (£1.5million) cost for Jackson to record a song intended to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina, the singer failed to show at the studio for the final recording session, and thus song was never released. Bankim ThankiQC (representing Abdullah) told the High Court that, the day after Jackson's criminal trial ended in California, he recorded a song which Abdullah had wanted released as a charity single to help the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami, and that Abdullah felt "a strong sense of personal betrayal" after forming "a close personal relationship" with the singer.


Marriage and children

Abdullah is married to Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa, who, from 2002 to 2004, was a member of the Supreme Council for Women, and has been a permanent member of the Board since 2004. Since 2006, she has been the executive director of Injaz Bahrain, a member of the Suzanne Mubarak Women's International Peace Movement, and a member of the Young Arab Leaders of Bahrain. Together, Abdullah and Hessa have four children, two sons and two daughters: *Shaikh Isa bin Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa (born 1999) is a professional racecar driver and owner of the racing team 2 Seas Motorsport, and ninth in the line of succession to the Bahraini throne. *Shaikha Noora bint Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa (born 2002). *Shaikh Salman bin Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa (born 2008) is tenth in the line of succession to the throne. *Shaikha Hessa bint Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa (born 2010).


Ancestry


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Khalifa, Abdulla Hamad Isa Al 1976 births Living people Bahraini politicians Abdullah Hamad Isa Sons of kings