Jamil Wafa pays a personal tribute to Prince Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who passed away at the age of 23, 40 years ago today.

Forty years ago today Prince Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa passed away in Palo Alto, California, aged 23.

For a man so young Prince Mohammed possessed tremendous vision, integrity and character, with these personal qualities helping invisibly initiate plans to establish UNITAG which later this year will mark the 40th anniversary of its own 1974 founding.

It remains a personal sadness that Shaikh Mohammed did not live to witness UNITAG’S performance – locally, regionally and internationally – and its current status.

I had the honour of first meeting the young Prince and his personal assistant Hussain Ahmed Janahi when as BOAC’s Sales Manager in Lebanon they asked me to help with the clearance of a Mercedes car that had been transported to Beirut without all the necessary documents.

After contacting the British Ambassador – with all matters involving Gulf nationals handled by the British – and Lebanese Foreign Ministry officials, the vehicle was cleared within 24 hours.

Almost daily Prince Mohammed and his assistant then called in my office to enjoy either a soft Lebanese drink (Jallab filled with Pine Seeds) and occasionally lunch.

During his visit to Beirut he asked me to arrange for a visit to Beirut International Airport to watch the flights, he quickly focused that 45 carriers operated and commented to me quietly: “This is how I would like to see Bahrain Airport operate and, hopefully, one day I will fulfil my dream.”

Prince Mohammed invited me to visit Bahrain, where I had transited 16 years earlier while en-route to Hong Kong.

A subsequent meeting in Bahrain was very cordial with the young “down-to-earth” Prince displaying a far-sighted vision by suggesting we form a partnership through a trading/commercial company.

I responded that it seemed best to delay such a plan until after his graduation and subsequent return from the US where he was studying.

On another occasion when I was organising VIP Lounge arrangements for his departure from Beirut Airport Prince Mohammed said he did not want special arrangements and when I asked why he replied, “Brother Jamil, I have not carried out anything of significance for Bahrain that entitles me the privilege of a Diplomatic or Special Passport but when I do I will be honoured to carry one.”

After departing from Bahrain in 1973 to complete his final studies Prince Mohammed became sick and subsequently asked for me to join him in Los Angeles to finalise the earlier suggested partnership agreement.

After becoming more seriously ill and could not attend the University graduation ceremony, Prince Mohammed was presented by the Dean of the University with his graduation certificate at a special bedside ceremony.

One week after the return to Bahrain from the US with Prince Mohammed’s mother, sister and young brother Salman, his father Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa asked me to accompany him on a flight back to Los Angeles where Prince Mohammed’s condition was deteriorating; accompanying the Prime Minster was Dr Hanwell, Chief Medical Officer Awali Hospital, Mohammed Zubari and Mubarak Kanoo.

Within one week of our arrival Prince Mohammed passed away.

After arranging with the US State department for fast clearance for the body to be returned to Bahrain, arrival of the flight was timed so that burial could immediately follow.

The British Airways Passenger VC.10 carrying Prince Mohammed’s body landed just before 7am in Bahrain on June 17 with the late Amir, HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa – who was fond and proud of Prince Mohammed’s calm modesty and honest vision – at the airport along with at least 2,000 other mourners.

Two months after his death UNITAG was established and I was able to establish a strong international airline presence over many years through Bahrain Airport allowing airlines to operate through Bahrain International Airport; those included, UTA-French Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Pan American, Philippine Airlines and British Caledonian. We had constant problems with the Civil Aviation authorities to allow carriers operate through Bahrain Airport as they were trying to protect the national carrier Gulf Air, forgetting that Bahrain Airport was more important than the national carrier which was owned by four countries.

I am truly honoured to have known the late Prince Mohammed and to have been able to achieve part of his dreams.