Abdulrahman Al Ateeqi: A Life of Service and Legacy

Counselor at the Amiri Diwan, Abdulrahman Salem Al Ateeqi, has passed away at the age of 92, June 12, 2020. Al Ateeqi, former Minister of Finance and Oil, held the finance portfolio from 1967 until 1981. He also served as Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kuwait’s envoy to the United Nations, and Ambassador to Washington. He is regarded as one of the most important statesmen who contributed to building modern Kuwait.

Early Life and Education

Dr. Abdulmohsen Al‑Kharafi recalls: Abdulrahman Al Ateeqi was born in April 1928 in the Al Ateeqi neighborhood known as “Sikka Anza.” He began his education at age six with Mulla Abdullah Abdulatif Al‑Othman, then joined Al‑Mubarakiya School until the second secondary grade, leaving due to illness in his eyes. He later spent several months at the Religious Institute, studying Hanbali jurisprudence, before leaving in 1949. Sheikh Sabah Al‑Salem, may God rest his soul, asked him to work in the police, where he served as a translator, later moving with Sheikh Sabah to the Ministry of Health.

Career and Advisory Role

Al Ateeqi’s career was filled with achievements and successes that left a positive impact on Kuwait and its people. In 1981, he was chosen as advisor to the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al‑Ahmad Al‑Sabah, may God rest his soul.

 Islamic Guidance Society

His charitable and social contributions were numerous. His first social initiative was helping establish the “Islamic Guidance Society” in 1952 (now the Social Reform Society), focusing on religious matters and raising youth on virtuous morals. He also chaired the Disabled Association, being a founding member since 1973. The association began with four beds and grew to four facilities in Kuwait, Jahra, Ahmadi, and Sulaibikhat, with an annual budget of one million Kuwaiti dinars.

Memories of the Iraqi Invasion

Al Ateeqi recalled his memories during the brutal Iraqi occupation: “It suffices me to have accompanied the virtuous man, Sheikh Jaber Al‑Ahmad Al‑Sabah, may God rest his soul, for seven months—the duration of the occupation. By fortune, I was with the late Amir during this period. When the invasion occurred, I was on a plane from Germany to Jordan, where my family resided during summer vacation. I then sought the flight to Riyadh, and from there to the Eastern Province, to be with the late Amir in Dammam.”

Role in Founding Kuwait Finance House

Al Ateeqi played a pivotal role in establishing Kuwait Finance House. Ahmad Bazie Al‑Yaseen and Badr Al‑Mukhizim said: “He contributed by making the political decision to approve its establishment, a decision requiring great courage at the time.” Al Ateeqi himself recounted: “Brother Ahmad Bazie visited me at the Ministry of Finance and presented the idea. I told him it could not succeed under existing banking laws. It needed a special law, which was impossible under Parliament. Later, in July 1976, Article Four of the Constitution was suspended, Parliament dissolved, and I seized the opportunity. I asked Dr. Issa Abdu in Egypt to prepare a draft law for an Islamic bank. I presented it to Sheikh Jaber Al‑Ahmad, who immediately approved it. The law passed smoothly, and the name was amended to Kuwait Finance House. I never sought personal gain, never bought shares, nor participated in any financial venture, so no one could say I pursued this project for myself.”

“Listen, Qaddafi” Incident

Al Ateeqi is remembered for his historic confrontation with Muammar Qaddafi at the Arab Summit in Cairo after Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. When Qaddafi proposed a compromise involving simultaneous Iraqi withdrawal and foreign troop withdrawal, Al Ateeqi responded: “Listen, Muammar. If Kuwaitis present here are too polite to ignore you, I will reply. I am a Kuwaiti citizen, and as a Kuwaiti I am ready to ally with the devil to restore my country and expel the Iraqi occupation.” When Yasser Arafat tried to intervene, Al Ateeqi told him: “You are the last person entitled to speak.” He reminded King Hussein of Jordan of Kuwait’s generosity in financial aid. His bold words were praised by GCC leaders, and King Fahd of Saudi Arabia reportedly seated him beside him.

Role in Foreign Ministry Since 1961

Sheikh Sabah Al‑Salem recognized Al Ateeqi’s talents and took him to the Ministry of Health in 1959, assigning him to study and reform the ministry. He was appointed Director of Health in March 1959. In 1961, Sheikh Abdullah Al‑Salem appointed him Kuwait’s first envoy to the UN and first ambassador to the US. His credentials were accepted by the US President in May 1962. Despite his success, he struggled with family separation and communication difficulties. After his father’s death in 1963, he returned to Kuwait. Sheikh Abdullah Al‑Salem then appointed him Minister of Foreign Affairs. He served four years, achieving agreements such as border demarcation and easing tensions with Iraq.

In 1967, he became Minister of Finance and Oil, succeeding Sheikh Jaber Al‑Ahmad. Later, the ministries were separated, and he remained in Finance. Among his achievements was ending the British Bank’s concession and converting it to Bank of Kuwait and the Middle East. He represented Kuwait in founding OAPEC. In 1981, Sheikh Jaber Al‑Ahmad appointed him as his advisor, recognizing his service and competence.