Upbringing and the National Guard
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz was born in Riyadh in 1924 to Fahda bint Asi Al Shuraim. He studied the Quran, religious subjects and Arabic and developed interests in reading and horsemanship. He took command of the National Guard in the 1960s, with his tenure associated with its military and administrative development and educational and medical services. This was a major field of his work before becoming crown prince and king. [1][2]
Crown princeship and accession
Abdullah became crown prince when King Fahd acceded in 1982 and remained in that position until 2005. Following Fahd’s illness in the 1990s, he took on a substantial share of the day-to-day administration of the state. He succeeded Fahd after his death in August 2005. During Abdullah’s reign, Sultan, Nayef and Salman successively served as crown prince, a sequence that explains Salman’s eventual succession. [1][2]
Universities, scholarships and research
The King Abdullah Scholarship Programme began in 2005, while universities and fields of study expanded within the Kingdom. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology opened in 2009 as a graduate and research institution. These projects connected the training of specialists with the establishment of new scientific institutions. Evaluating their results requires evidence about education, research and employment rather than relying solely on stated programme objectives. [1][2]
Dialogue and institutional participation
Abdullah supported national dialogue and initiatives bringing together different religions and cultures. In 2013, thirty women were appointed to the Shura Council, and its rules were amended to reserve at least one-fifth of its seats for women. In Arab diplomacy, he had proposed a peace initiative while crown prince that was adopted at the 2002 Beirut Arab summit. These measures belonged to different domestic and diplomatic contexts and should not be assumed to share identical aims or outcomes. [1][2]
Services, death and succession
The reign included expansions of the Two Holy Mosques and transport and pilgrim-service projects, including the Al Mashaaer railway, which began operating in 2010. Abdullah died in Riyadh on 23 January 2015 and was buried in Al Oud Cemetery. King Salman succeeded him. Studying the reign connects education, public services and institutional changes with the regional circumstances facing Saudi Arabia. [1][2]
Related people
- PersonPrince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al SaudSultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was one of the sons of the founding King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. He was born in Riyadh on Thursday, 13 Rajab 1348 AH, corresponding to 5 January 1930. He served as Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General from 1962 until his death, as Second Deputy Prime Minister from 1982, and as Crown Prince from 2005.
- PersonPrince Naif bin Abdulaziz Al SaudPrince Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was a Saudi prince and Minister of Interior, appointed on 27 March 2009 as Second Deputy Prime Minister by royal decree. He chaired the National Committee for Narcotics Control and the Supreme Council of Media, and supported academic chairs, prizes and charitable work.
- PersonPrince Muqrin bin AbdulazizHis Royal Highness Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is a Saudi prince who was chosen as Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister on 23 January 2015; he headed the General Intelligence Presidency and served as Advisor and Special Envoy to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Crown Prince, and he rendered service to Madinah alongside educational and charitable works.
- PersonPrince Mohammed bin Naif bin AbdulazizPrince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz served as Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs and later as Minister of Interior, and held the post of Deputy Crown Prince and Second Deputy Prime Minister. On 10 Rajab 1436 AH, corresponding to 29 April 2015, he was chosen Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Council of Political and Security Affairs.
- PersonPrince Sattam bin Abdulaziz Al SaudPrince Sattam bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was a Saudi prince who served as Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region in 1425-1426 AH/2004-2005 CE, and a public university in Al-Kharj Governorate now bears his name.
- PersonPrince Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al SaudPrince Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was one of the sons of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. He served as Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, and the Royal Court announced his death on Thursday 19 Shawwal 1438 AH, corresponding to 13 July 2017 CE.
Related topics
- MuseumKing Abdulaziz Public LibraryKing Abdulaziz Public Library is a charitable institution founded by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 1405 AH, corresponding to 1985 CE, and is among the most prominent cultural institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; it holds more than 5.2 million knowledge items and serves more than one million beneficiaries annually.
- HistoricThe Grand Mosque (Al-Masjid Al-Haram)The Grand Mosque (Al-Masjid Al-Haram) is the mosque at the centre of which stands the Kaaba in Makkah, and successive states and restorations followed upon its construction across the ages. In the Saudi era it witnessed major expansions and construction works, most notably the Third Saudi Expansion and the raising of the capacity of the Mataf and the courtyards.
- RegionHafar Al-Batin GovernorateHafar Al-Batin is a governorate on the land border between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Kuwait and Iraq, and it holds the Al-Raqai border crossing and Al-Qaisumah International Airport. The University of Hafar Al-Batin was established there in 1435 AH/2014, and it hosts seasonal festivals, most notably the falcon festival and the truffle festival.
- HistoricZamzam WellZamzam Well is a well in the Grand Mosque, located east of the Kaaba, 21 metres away in the Mataf courtyard, aligned with the Multazam, and reaches a depth of about 30.5 metres. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has cared for it and developed its water-supply system, from pumping, transport and storage to sterilisation and distribution to the guests of the Grand Mosque.