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King
Saud Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud
1902-1969
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Saud Ibn Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdul Rahman Ibn Faisal
Al Saud was born in the city of Kuwait in 1902, the same year in which his father King
Abdul Aziz recaptured the city of Riyadh from Al Rasheed. Moving with other members of the
Al Saud family from Kuwait to Riyadh, he later took part in both politics and war. In the
meantime he learned government and administrative methods. He led the first campaign
against Hayel in 1921 (1339 H.) and commanded Saudi forces during the Yemen war. Saud also
participated in running the affairs of the Kingdom's Central Region. On the 11th
of May 1933 (1351 H) he was sworn in as Crown Prince. When his father King Abdul Aziz
passed away in 1953 (1372 H), Saud assumed power and was officially recognized by the
Ulema and citizens. His brother Faisal became Crown Prince.
Saud's Remarkable Achievements Emulating his father King Abdul Aziz, he
strove to protect the country and safeguard its independence and Islamic principles. He
was also keen to enhance cooperation with Arab and Islamic nations and adhere to the
charters of the Arab League and the United Nations. Ministries established during his era
included those of education, agriculture, commerce and communications. Giving attention to
Islamic affairs, King Saud established religious institutes to teach the provisions and
fundamentals of Islam; in addition, he founded Quran memorization schools. He ordered the
printing of Islamic religious books, expanded the Prophet's Mosque in Al Madinah Al
Munawwarah and began the expansion of the Holy Mosque in Makkah Al Mukarramah. Other
achievements included the asphalting of roads and the development of the army which he
supplied with sophisticated weapons. King Saud University, the Kingdom's first, and King
Abdul Aziz Military Academy in Riyadh, also the country's first, were established during
his era. King Saud's rule continued until the second of November 1964 (1383 H), when Crown
Prince Faisal Ibn Abdul Aziz was appointed King. King Saud passed away in 1969 (1389 H).
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