Upbringing and early political work
Faisal was born in Riyadh in 1906 to King Abdulaziz and Tarfa bint Abdullah Al Sheikh. Following his mother’s death, he grew up in the care of her family and received instruction in religion, reading and writing. His father involved him early in political and military affairs, and he visited Europe as his representative in 1919. These experiences introduced him to negotiations and international relations before diplomacy became a central part of his career. [1][2]
Responsibilities before accession
Faisal took on responsibilities in the administration of the Hejaz and became the first foreign minister when the ministry was established in 1930. He represented the Kingdom at international conferences, including the founding conference of the United Nations in 1945. After Abdulaziz’s death he became crown prince and served as prime minister during parts of Saud’s reign. In 1962 he announced a ten-point reform programme that included abolishing slavery and improving administration and services. [1][2]
Government, administration and education
Faisal acceded in November 1964 after Saud’s reign ended. His government concentrated on public finance, planning and the expansion of education and healthcare. The first five-year development plan began in 1970, with successive plans providing a framework for projects and expenditure. Girls’ education, technical training and overseas study also expanded, continuing an educational development process that both preceded and outlasted his reign. [1][2]
Arab and Islamic affairs and the oil crisis
Palestine and cooperation among Muslim-majority countries were prominent in Faisal’s foreign policy. During the October 1973 war, Saudi Arabia joined other Arab oil producers in reducing output and imposing an embargo on certain states supporting Israel. The crisis also involved pricing decisions and global market conditions. Its consequences should therefore be understood through Arab diplomacy, energy policy and international economics rather than reduced to the actions of a single individual. [1][2]
Assassination and succession
King Faisal was assassinated in Riyadh on 25 March 1975 and was succeeded by Crown Prince Khalid. Educational and administrative institutions and development plans established during his reign continued into later periods. The reign also remains a subject of study for Saudi Arabia’s regional role and oil policies. Understanding it requires distinguishing documented decisions from differing interpretations of their consequences. [1][2]
Related people
- PersonPrince Saud Al-FaisalPrince Saud Al-Faisal is Prince Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who served as Saudi Arabia's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1975 to 2015, succeeding his father King Faisal bin Abdulaziz, during the reigns of four kings of the Kingdom. He spent more than forty years at the head of Saudi diplomacy, contributing to the negotiations for full Saudi ownership of Aramco and to regional diplomatic milestones, foremost among them the Palestinian cause, the Lebanese crisis and the Arab Peace Initiative.
- PersonPrince Khalid Al-FaisalPrince Khalid bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is a Saudi prince who served as governor of Asir Province, then as governor of Makkah Province, then took charge of the Ministry of Education, and in 2015 became Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Province.
- PersonPrince Abdullah Al-FaisalPrince Abdullah Al-Faisal was a Saudi prince and poet, a son of King Faisal bin Abdulaziz and a grandson of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. He combined government service with poetry, and contributed to the advancement of the sports movement in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- PersonPrince Turki Al-FaisalPrince Turki Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies and a son of King Faisal bin Abdulaziz, combined public and cultural work. He led the General Intelligence Presidency during the reign of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz and then represented the Kingdom as ambassador to the United Kingdom and later to Washington.
- PersonIbrahim KhafajiIbrahim Khafaji is a poet who was tasked with writing the words of the Saudi national anthem during the reign of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz. His words were adopted to the original melody of the Royal Salute in 1984, so the national anthem was completed in its current form, and a royal order was issued adopting it and broadcasting it officially on the first of July of the same year.
Related topics
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- HistoricShubra Palace MuseumShubra Palace Museum is a Saudi museum in the historic Shubra Palace in the city of Taif, in the Makkah Region, and is a prominent historic landmark distinguished by the elegance of its design and the grandeur of its traditional architecture. The palace was built in 1905, consists of four floors containing about 150 rooms, and was converted into a museum in 1408 AH/1986.
- HistoricAl Faisal Museum for Arabian and Islamic ArtAl Faisal Museum for Arabian and Islamic Art is a Saudi museum in Riyadh affiliated with the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, opened on 6 Ramadan 1438 AH, corresponding to 1 June 2017. It displays more than 200 rare heritage pieces and unique manuscript and printed copies of the Qur'an across two halls, and comprises six museum collections.
- 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.
- RegionTaif CityTaif City is a Saudi city in the west of the Kingdom, known as the “City of Roses and Bride of Saudi Summer Resorts” for its moderate summer climate and its natural views in Al-Shafa and Al-Hada. It contains more than 700 rose farms, farms of seasonal fruits, and cultural and historical landmarks including Souq Okaz and Shubra Palace.
- HistoricThe Prophet's MosqueThe Prophet's Mosque is the mosque of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Madinah, built in the first year of the Hijrah over an area of 1,050 square meters. Several constructions followed across the Islamic eras, and the mosque saw its widest expansions in the Saudi era.
- 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.
- EventKingdom of HejazThe Kingdom of Hejaz is an official name borne by the Saudi State at a stage of its formation after the annexation of the Hejaz, and it is associated with the successive titles of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman bin Faisal Al Saud up to the naming of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1351 AH/1932.