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'''Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud''', [[Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques]], ({{lang-ar|فهد بن عبد العزيز السعود}} ''{{transl|ar|Fahd ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Sa‘ūd}}'') (16 March 1921 – 1 August 2005) was the King of [[Kingdom of Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabia]] from 1982 to 2005.
'''Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud''', [[Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques]], ({{lang-ar|فهد بن عبد العزيز السعود}} ''{{transl|ar|Fahd ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Sa‘ūd}}'') (16 March 1921 – 1 August 2005) was the King of [[Kingdom of Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabia]] from 1982 to 2005.


==Early life and education==
Fahd, in brief:
Fahd bin Abdulaziz was born in [[Riyadh]] in 1921.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Riyadh. The capital of monotheism|journal=Business and Finance Group|url=http://www.bfg-global.com/pdfnw/pdf/eng/1-ensalman.pdf|accessdate=22 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Bernard Reich|title=Political leaders of the contemporary Middle East and North Africa: a biographical dictionary|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=3D5FulN2WqQC&pg=PA528|accessdate=14 April 2013|year=1990|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-313-26213-5|pages=528}}</ref> He is the eighth son of [[Ibn Saud]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Mouline|first=Nabil|title=Power and generational transition in Saudi Arabia|journal=Critique Internationale|date=April–June 2012|volume=46|pages=1–22|url=http://www.ceri-sciencespo.com/publica/critique/46/ci46_nm.pdf|accessdate=24 April 2012}}</ref> His mother was [[Hussa Ahmad Al-Sudayri|Hassa Al Sudairi]]<ref>{{cite book|author=Winberg Chai|title=Saudi Arabia: A Modern Reader|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=lh4bENPP_HEC&pg=PA193|accessdate=26 February 2013|date=22 September 2005|publisher=University Press|isbn=978-0-88093-859-4|pages=193}}</ref> and he was the eldest member of the [[Sudairi Seven]].<ref name=ttel285>{{cite news|title=King Fahd|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1495300/King-Fahd.html|accessdate=2 February 2013|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=2 August 2005}}</ref>


Fahd's education took place at the [[Princes' School]] in Riyadh, a school established by Ibn Saud specifically for the education of members of the House of Saud.<ref name=aex/> He received education for four years as a result of his mother's urging.<ref name=allen>{{cite news|last=Allen|first=Robin|title=Obituary: King Fahd - A forceful but flawed ruler|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/54d03842-0264-11da-84e5-00000e2511c8.html#axzz2Jlr7TK3t|accessdate=2 February 2013|newspaper=Financial Times|date=1 August 2005}}</ref> While at the Princes' School, Fahd studied under tutors including Sheikh Abdul-Ghani Khayat.<ref name=bab1aug>{{cite news|title=Biography of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud|url=http://www.babnet.net/en_detail-1405.asp|accessdate=27 February 2013|work=Babnet|date=1 August 2005}}</ref> Then he went on to receive education at the Religious Knowledge Institute in [[Mecca]].<ref name=aex/><ref name=dgnews>{{cite news|title=Fahad played pivotal role in development|url=http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=118446|accessdate=2 February 2013|newspaper=Daily Gulf News|date=2 August 2005}}</ref>
His Majesty King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz was born in Riyadh in 1340 AH (1921 AD).
He was appointed as Minister of Education in 1373 AH (1953 AD).
He was appointed as Minister of Interior in 1382 AH (1962 AD).
He was appointed Second Deputy Prime Minister in 1387 AH (1967 AD), in addition to his responsibilities as Interior Minister.
The late King Khalid chose him as Crown Prince on 13 Rabia I 1395 AH (March 25, 1975 AD) and Vice President of the Council of Ministers with extensive powers to manage the country's Affairs and directly supervise the people's interests.
He headed during his public lifetime the following councils and the commissions:
Supreme Council for Petroleum and Minerals.
Supreme Council for Universities.
Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu.
Supreme Council of Youth Welfare.
Supreme Council for Educational Policy.
Supreme Council for Hajj.
Royal Commission for the Development of Madinah.
Of the external missions undertaken by his Majesty during his public life:


==Early political positions==
Membership of the Saudi delegation to the United Nations on the occasion of the opening of the work of the Commission in New York.
Prince Fahd was made a member of the royal advisory board at his mother's urging.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Political Leadership - King Fahd|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/SAUDI+ARABIA+-+The+Political+Leadership+-+King+Fahd.-a057816188|accessdate=16 March 2013|work=APS Review Gas Market Trends|date=29 November 1999}}</ref> In 1945, Prince Fahd traveled on his first state visit to [[San Francisco]] for the signing of the [[United Nations|UN]] charter.<ref>{{cite web|title=Saudi Foreign Policy|url=http://www.saudiembassy.net/files/PDF/Publications/Magazine/2001-Fall/Working.htm|work=Saudi Embassy Magazine|accessdate=18 July 2013|date=Fall 2001}}</ref> On this trip he served under his brother, [[Faisal of Saudi Arabia|Prince Faisal]], who was at the time Saudi Arabia's foreign minister.<ref name=dgnews/> In 1953, Fahd led his first official state visit, attending the coronation of [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]] on behalf of the House of Saud.<ref name=bab1aug/><ref>{{cite journal|title=King Fahd - his first 20 years|url=http://www.saudiembassy.net/files/PDF/Publications/Magazine/2002-Winter/King%20Fahd.htm|publisher=Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia|accessdate=29 June 2012|location=Washington DC, US|date=Winter 2002|volume=18|issue=4|journal=Saudi Arabia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=King Fahd 1923-2005:|url=http://www.saudiembassy.net/archive/2005/news/page365.aspx|publisher=Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia|accessdate=29 June 2012|location=Washington DC, US|date=1 August 2005}}</ref> On 24 December 1953, Prince Fahd was appointed education minister, being the first person holding this post in the country.<ref>{{cite web|title=Educational system in Saudi Arabia|url=http://www.sacm.org/Publications/58285_Edu_complete.pdf|publisher=Ministry of Higher Education|accessdate=21 July 2013|year=2006}}</ref><ref name=vey2005>{{cite web|last=Sicherman|first=Harvey|title=King Fahd's Saudi Arabia|url=http://www.unc.edu/depts/diplomat/item/2005/0709/sich/sich_saudi.html|work=American Diplomacy|accessdate=8 August 2013|date=August 2005}}</ref>
Headed the Saudi delegation to the Arabic League in Casablanca in 1959 AD.
Visited France in 1967 on the invitation of the French Government and held talks with President de Gaulle.
Headed the Saudi delegation to Britain in 1970 to participate in discussions of the future of the Gulf.
Visited France in 1975 AD and this visit resulted in the clarification of France to the milestones of its policy toward the Palestinian issue for Israel's withdrawal from the Arabic occupied territories and guarantee of the rights of the Palestinian people.
Pioneer of educational advancement:


Prince Fahd led the Saudi delegation to the [[League of Arab States]] in 1959, signifying his increasing prominence in the House of Saud—and that he was being groomed for a more significant role. In 1962, Fahd was given the important post of interior minister.<ref name=allen/> As interior minister he headed the Saudi delegation at a meeting of Arab Heads of State in Egypt in 1965.<ref name=dgnews/> He was named second deputy prime minister in 1967, which was created for the first time by King Faisal.<ref name=dgnews/><ref>{{cite book|author=Nadav Safran|title=Saudi Arabia: The Ceaseless Quest for Security|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=zSkIi_1T1FsC&pg=PR17|accessdate=4 April 2013|year=1985|publisher=Cornell University Press|isbn=978-0-8014-9484-0|pages=17}}</ref>
On 18 Rabia II 1373 AH (24 December 1953 AD) a Royal Decree No. 5/3/26/2950 was issued for the establishment of the Ministry of Education and appointment of HRH Prince Fahd Bin Abdulaziz as Minister.
The education affairs were administered before that by the Directorate of knowledge track Vice King in the Hijaz, and the establishment of the Ministry of Education reporting to the Vice King in Hijaz and the decision for the establishment of the Ministry of Education stipulates: (public education issues matters of science, knowledge and trades and opening of educational offices, councils and institutes with hyper-precise principles of Islam).
The number of schools, until the date of the establishment of the Ministry of Education was 43 elementary schools, 4 secondary schools, and a preparation school of missions and Saudi scientific Institute.
Since Fahd took over the Ministry of Education, he drew its far-reaching policy aimed at:
Spreading education throughout the Kingdom in its various primary, middle and secondary levels.
Preparing for the establishment of the University, or more, as a nucleus for higher education of the Saudi students.
Development of scholarships abroad based on the needs of the country for qualified academics to meet the need of the education sector on one hand, and other government sectors on the other.
Achieving gradually self-sufficiency of Saudi teachers for various levels of education.
During the years in which Fahd took over the Ministry of Education from 1373 to 1380 AH, the numbers talked about some of the achievements:
Ministry of Education's budget was in 1374 AH (1955 AD) 45671592 Riyals and in 1377 AH (1960 AD) this budget amounted to 87000000 Riyals.
In 1380 AH (1960 AD), the budget has become 137012200 Riyals.
Based on these budgets, the numbers talked about significant achievements of Fahd during nearly seven years in the Ministry of Education:
The number of primary schools rose to 712 schools and the number of students rose to 104203 students and number of teachers rose to 4940 teachers.
The number of middle schools rose to 36 schools with 5437 students and 262 teachers.
The number of secondary school students doubled and number of teachers doubled several times.
While Fahd was in the Ministry of Education, the first university in the Arabian peninsula was established (King Saud Univerity) in 1377 AH (1957 AD), which is one year after assuming his responsibilities in the Ministry of Education, and the University initially included faculties of arts, commerce, science, and pharmacy and then Faculty of Engineering was established in cooperation with UNESCO.
In the year 1380 AH (1960 AD), the Islamic University in Madinah was established, which is an international Islamic university, Saudi origin and location, and includes students from over 100 nationalities from different countries of the world, and since the establishment of this University, until today, Fahd remained its Supreme Chairman of its Board, and each year its teachers and students meet in an open dialogue about the various affairs of the University and calling to the religion of Allah.
This shows us the fruits of education plans at the university and academic level as we see it today the spread of universities and their branches in all regions of the Kingdom, there are now 24 universities, they are:
King Saud University Taif University Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University
King Abdulaziz University University of Hail King Fahd University of petroleum and minerals
King Faisal University Jazan University Princess Noura Bint Abdul Rahman University
Umm Al-Qura University Jouf University King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences
Islamic University Al Baha University Dammam University
King Khalid University University of Tabuk Kharj University
Qassim University Najran University Shaqraa University
Taibah University University of Northern Border Majmaah University
Fahd expressed the government support for the education sector and the hopes, he said in one of his speeches: (. .. It is the grace of Allah God that we now have seven universities, and thousands of schools in various primary, middle and secondary levels throughout the country, and our children graduate from the faculties in various disciplines, such as law, religion, medicine, engineering, economics, and all areas of learning and development, which is a cause for our pride and appreciation).


==Crown Prince==
This is how the history of Saudi jump was credited to King Fahd for those achievements in one of the most important areas of the jump, which is education at all levels: from kindergarten to university.
After the death of King Faisal in 1975, Fahd was named first deputy prime minister and concurrently crown prince in 1975.<ref name=shenderson94>{{cite web|last=Henderson|first=Simon|title=After King Fahd|url=http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/uploads/Documents/pubs/PP_37_AFTERKINGFAHD.pdf|work=Washington Institute|accessdate=2 February 2013|format=Policy Paper|year=1994}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Anthony H. Cordesman|title=Saudi Arabia Enters the 21st Century|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=CGEJvqjn-1MC&pg=PA46|accessdate=10 February 2013|year=2003|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-275-97997-3|pages=46}}</ref> Although Prince Fahd had two elder brothers, [[Nasser bin Abdulaziz|Prince Nasser]] and [[Saad bin Abdulaziz|Prince Saad]], who had prior claims to the throne, both were considered unsuitable candidates.<ref name=shenderson94/> By contrast, Prince Fahd had served as minister of education from 1954 to 1960 and minister of interior from 1962 to 1975.<ref name=shenderson94/>


Appointment of Prince Fahd as both crown prince and first deputy prime minister made him a much more powerful figure in contrast to the status of King Khalid when he had been crown prince during King Faisal's reign.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Saudi king shuffles cabinet|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4m9kAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iH0NAAAAIBAJ&pg=2381,3734868&dq=prince+fahd+interior+minister&hl=en|accessdate=2 February 2013|newspaper=The Calgary Herald|date=29 March 1975|agency=AP|location=Riyadh}}</ref>
Building the human being was always his high priority in the developmental aspirations sought by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Fahd was in various responsibilities assumed paid great attention to the science and education, and his Majesty once said in this respect:


==Reign==
For me, I am not a stranger to scholars and students, they were the best days I was proud in the past, and will cherish at the present and in the future, and I assumed the work of the Ministry of Education which was formed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and along with other positions held, but I find in fact that science and scientists who feel energetically around me, and I also feel in the same time around them for my full belief that science is the main thing on which nations rely led by our Islamic faith, which is, in fact, is a standard for us as an Islamic nation..
[[Image:Abdulaziz Mosque Gibraltar.jpg|thumb|King Fahd gave money for building mosques throughout the world. The [[Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque]], at [[Europa Point]] [[Gibraltar]], which opened in 1997, is one such mosque.]]
When King Khalid died on 13 June 1982, Fahd succeeded to the throne. He was the fifth king of Saudi Arabia.<ref name=upiarnoud>{{cite news|last=De Borchgrave|first=Arnaud|title=Analysis: Arabian Medicis|url=http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2006/12/27/Analysis-Arabian-Medicis/UPI-28221167225848/|accessdate=11 February 2013|newspaper=UPI|date=27 December 2006|location=Washington DC}}</ref> However, the most active period of his life was not his reign, but when he was Crown Prince.<ref>{{cite news|title=King Fahd|url=http://www.economist.com/node/4246122|accessdate=8 August 2013|newspaper=The Economist|date=4 August 2013}}</ref> He adopted the title "[[Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques]]" in 1986, replacing "His Majesty", to signify an Islamic rather than secular authority.<ref name=dgnews/>


===Foreign policy===
Security and stability:
Fahd was a supporter of the [[United Nations]]. He supported foreign aid and gave 5.5% of Saudi Arabia's national income through various funds especially the [[Saudi Fund for Development]] and the [[OPEC Fund for International Development]]. He also gave aid to foreign groups such as the [[Bosnian Muslims]] in the [[Yugoslav Wars]], as well as the [[Nicaragua]]n [[Contras]], providing "a million dollars per month from May to December 1984".<ref>{{cite web|title=Robert Busby: The Scandal that Almost Destroyed Ronald Reagan|url=http://hnn.us/node/136285|work=History News Network|accessdate=3 June 2012}}</ref> King Fahd was also a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause and an opponent of the [[State of Israel]].<ref>{{cite web|title= Palestine-Israel Issue – King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz|url=http://www.kingfahdbinabdulaziz.com/main/l500.htm|accessdate=1 January 2009}}</ref> Fahd was staunch ally of the [[United States]], and once said "After [[Allah]], we can count on the United States."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cia.gov|title=Welcome to the CIA Web Site|work=CIA|date=19 October 2012|accessdate=33 October 2012}}</ref>


King Fahd developed a peace plan in order to resolve Arab differences particularly between [[Algeria]] and [[Morocco]].<ref name=ash2aug>{{cite news|title=Legacy of a King|url=http://www.aawsat.net/2005/08/article55270537|accessdate=5 April 2013|newspaper=Asharq Alawsat|date=2 August 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Anthony|first=John Duke|title=The role of the GCC in defense and geopolitical afairs|url=http://ncusar.org/publications/Publications/1989-07-Role-of-GCC-in-Defense-and-Geopolitical-Affairs.pdf|accessdate=11 April 2013|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=July 1989}}</ref> He also actively contributed to [[Taif Accord|the Taif accord]] in 1989 that ended conflict in [[Lebanon]].<ref name=vey2005/><ref name=ash2aug/> In addition, he led [[Arab world|the Arab world]] against [[Invasion of Kuwait|the invasion of Kuwait]] by [[Iraq]].<ref name=ash2aug/> He developed a special bond with both Syrian President [[Hafez Assad]] and Egyptian President [[Hosni Mobarak]] during his reign.<ref>{{cite journal|title=No news -- good news?|journal=Al Ahram Weekly|date=2–8 June 2005|issue=745|url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/745/re8.htm|accessdate=26 August 2013}}</ref>
On 3 Safar 1382 AH (31/10/1962 AD), Fahd took over the Ministry of Interior, and he organized it on modern basis that suits the development reached by the Kingdom at that time, where science is aim for this organization, so he established the College of Internal Security Forces (King Fahd Security College now) for the rehabilitation of youth at the university level in science required for the various activities of the Ministry of the Interior and its responsibilities.


===Islamic activities===<!-- This section is linked from [[Haram]] -->
He established the Institute for commissioned officers and soldiers, the traffic Institute, the Institute of driving mechanics, the Language Institute, and the Institute of Physical Education, the International Archery, and other specialized institutes in accordance with the needs and activities of the Ministry of the Interior, with development of the agencies and the Ministry's arms, so that these entities work cooperatively to maintain security and stability, which are key aspects of life in Saudi Arabia since its founding until today.
Fearing that the 1979 Revolution in Iran could lead to similar Islamic upheaval in Saudi Arabia, Fahd spent considerable sums, after ascending the throne in 1982, to support Saddam Hussein's [[Iraq]] in its war with Iran.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/255097.stm Obituary: King Fahd], ''BBC News'', 1 August 2005. Retrieved 10 June 2008.</ref> He also changed his royal title to "[[Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques]]", and took steps to support the conservative Saudi religious establishment, including spending millions of dollars on religious education, further distancing himself from his inconvenient past.<ref>Wood, Paul. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4734505.stm Life and legacy of King Fahd], ''BBC News'', 1 August 2005. Retrieved 10 June 2008.</ref>


===Recreational activities===
As a result of these regulatory activities, the Ministry of the Interior, during the time when his Majesty King Fahd took over, assumed the responsibilities of public security, coast guard, civil defense, immigration, criminal affairs, municipal affairs, and the principalities of the regions, and the branched out organizations
At the same time as King Fahd presided over a more strict Islamic policy at home he was known to enjoy luxurious living abroad, even in ways that would not be allowed in his own kingdom. He visited the ports of the French Riviera, in his {{convert|147|m|ft|sing=on}} yacht, the $100 million [[Prince Abdulaziz (yacht)|Abdul Aziz]]. The ship featured two swimming pools, a ballroom, a gym, a theatre, a portable garden, a hospital with an intensive-care unit and two operating rooms, and four American [[FIM-92 Stinger|Stinger missiles]].<ref>Simons, Geoff, ''Saudi Arabia'', St. Martins, (1998), p.28</ref> The king also had a personal $150 million [[Boeing 747]] jet, equipped with his own fountain. In his visits to London he reportedly lost millions of dollars in the casinos and was even known to circumvent the curfew imposed by British gaming laws by hiring his own blackjack and roulette dealers to continue gambling through the night in his hotel suite.<ref>Marie Colvin, `The Squandering Sheikhs, ''Sunday Times'', 29 August 1993</ref>


===Persian Gulf War, 1991===
Second Deputy Prime Minister:
{{main|Gulf War}}
In 1990, [[Ba'athist Iraq|Iraq]]i forces under [[Saddam Hussein]] invaded [[Kuwait]], placing the Iraqi army (then the largest in the Middle East) on the Saudi-Kuwaiti border. King Fahd agreed to host American-led coalition troops in his Kingdom, and later allowed American troops to be based there.<ref name=mabir05>{{cite journal|last=Abir|first=Mordechai|title=The Succession of Saudi King Abdallah, the Oil Market, and Regional Politics|journal=Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs|date=3 August 2005|volume=5|issue=2|url=http://www.jcpa.org/brief/brief005-2.htm|accessdate=1 February 2013}}</ref> This decision brought him considerable criticism and opposition from many Saudi citizens, who objected to the presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil;<ref name=bbc182005/> this was a ''[[casus belli]]'' against the Saudi royal family prominently cited by [[Osama bin Laden]] and [[Al Qaeda]]. His decision was also objected to by his full brothers or the [[Sudairi Seven]].<ref name=mabir05/>


===Reform and industrialization===
In 1387 AH (1967 AD), his Majesty King Faisal, God bless his soul, appointed his Majesty King Fahd as Second Deputy Prime Minister, in addition to his responsibilities as Minister of Interior and as President of a number of specialized bodies and started as Second Deputy Prime Minister to chair most meetings of the Council of Ministers alongside his responsibilities for a policy regarding foreign policy of the Kingdom and overseeing the senior executive affairs in the country's educational and economic and oil key sectors.
In regard to reform, King Fahd showed little tolerance for reformists. In 1992, a group of reformists and prominent Saudi intellectuals petitioned King Fahd for wide ranging reforms, including widening political representation, and curbing the royal family's wasteful spending. King Fahd first responded by ignoring their requests and when they persisted, reformists were harshly persecuted, imprisoned and fired from their jobs.


During King Fahd's rule, the royal family's lavish spending of the country's wealth reached its height. In addition, the biggest and most controversial military contract of the century, the [[Al-Yamamah arms deal]] was signed on his watch.<ref>{{cite book|last=Taylor|first=Michael J.H.|title=Flight International World Aircraft and Systems Directory|url=http://www.amazon.com/Flight-International-Aircraft-Systems-Directory/dp/061701289X|accessdate=16 August 2007|edition=3rd Edition|year=2001|publisher=Reed Business Information|location=United Kingdom|isbn=0-617-01289-X|pages=189–190}}</ref> The contract has cost the Saudi treasury more than $90 billion. These funds were originally allocated to building hospitals, schools, universities and roads. As a result, Saudi Arabia endured a stagnation in infrastructure development from 1986 till 1999 when the new King, Abdullah, fully came into power.
Based on these responsibilities, Fahd was fully aware of all responsibilities of the policy, administration and governance, and assumed directly some of these responsibilities, and this expertise has demonstrated in the rapid advances in all areas of the Kingdom's life, without exception, especially after the increase in the financial resources of the Kingdom, with appropriate guidance to achieve these advances.


Like all the countries bordering the [[Persian Gulf]], Saudi Arabia under King Fahd has focused its industrial development on hydrocarbon installations. Up to this day, the country is reliant on imports for nearly all its light and heavy machinery.
Crown Prince:


King Fahd established a Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs directed by senior family members and technocrats in 1994. The council was planned to function as an ombudsman of Islamic activity concerning educational, economic and foreign policy matters. The chairman of the council was [[Prince Sultan]]. [[Prince Nayef]], [[Prince Saud al-Faisal|Prince Saud]] and a technocrat Mohammed Ali Aba al Khayl were appointed to the newly established council. One of the covert purposes of the council was thought to be to reduce the power of the Ulemas Council had been increasing its power.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ibrahim|first=Youssef M.|title=Saudi King Trying to Dilute Islamic Radicalism|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/06/world/saudi-king-trying-to-dilute-islamic-radicalism.html?src=pm|accessdate=4 June 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=6 October 1994}}</ref>
On 13 Rabia I 1395 AH (25 March 1975 AD), King Faisal died and his Majesty King Khalid Bin Abdul Aziz became the King of the country, and Fahd was entrusted as Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister was the first decision taken by his Majesty, may God rest his soul, and was also mandated by many powers to the best of the country and possible accomplishments, which was included in the second and third development plans that brought the country into the modern age with all related meaning.


===Succession mechanism===
King:
In an effort to institutionalize succession King Fahd issued a decree on 1 March 1992.<ref name=pm97>{{cite journal|last=Wihbey|first=Paul Michael|title=Succession in Saudi Arabia: The not so Silent Struggle|journal=IASPS Research Papers in Strategy|date=July 1997|issue=4|url=http://www.iasps.org/strategic4/SA.htm}}</ref> The decree expanded the criteria for succession, which had been only seniority and family consensus, and led to speculations.<ref name=pm97/> The most significant change by the edict was that the King did acquire the right to appoint or dismiss his heir apparent based on suitability rather than seniority and that the grandsons of Abdulaziz became eligible for the throne.<ref name=pm97/>


===Rule after the 1995 stroke===
Following the death of his Majesty King Khalid, may God rest his soul, the Crown Prince became the King on 21 Shaaban 1403 AH (13 June 1982 AD) to reiterate the love, trust, loyalty of the people to their king Fahd Bin Abdulaziz who was known at the various stages of his life a talented statesman, a brilliant politician, and a leader of progress, development and advancement.
King Fahd was a heavy smoker, overweight for much of his adult life, and in his sixties began to suffer from [[arthritis]] and severe [[diabetes]].<ref name=ttel285/> He suffered a debilitating stroke on 29 November 1995<ref name=vey2005/> and became noticeably frail, and decided to delegate the running of the Kingdom to Crown Prince Abdullah on 2 January 1996.<ref name=bbc182005>{{cite news|title=King Fahd of Saudi Arabia dies|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4734175.stm|accessdate=2 February 2013|work=BBC|date=1 August 2005}}</ref><ref name=pm97/><ref>{{cite news|title=Saudi Crown Prince to Take over while King Rests|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/02/world/saudi-crown-prince-to-take-over-while-king-rests.html|accessdate=26 August 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=2 January 1996|author=Youssef M. Ibrahim}}</ref> On 21 February, King Fahd resumed official duties.<ref>{{cite news|last=Henderson|first=Simon|title=The Saudi Royal Family: What Is Going On?|url=http://www.hudson.org/files/publications/Henderson%20--%20Saudi%20Royal%20Family.pdf|accessdate=3 April 2013|work=Hudson}}</ref>


After his stroke King Fahd was partly inactive and had to use a cane and then a wheelchair,<ref>{{cite news|last=Martin|first=Douglas|title=King Fahd; Saudi Arabian ruler's reign was turbulent|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050807/news_mz1j07fahd.html|accessdate=8 August 2013|newspaper=UT San Diego|date=7 August 2005}}</ref> though he still attended meetings and received selected visitors. In November 2003, according to government media, King Fahd was quoted as saying to "strike with an iron fist" at terrorists after [[Insurgency in Saudi Arabia#2003|deadly bombings]] in Saudi Arabia, although he could hardly utter a word because of his deteriorating health. However, it was Crown Prince Abdullah who took official trips; when King Fahd traveled it was for vacations, and he was sometimes absent from Saudi Arabia for months at a time. When his oldest son and [[International Olympic Committee]] member Prince [[Faisal bin Fahd]] died in 1999, the King was in [[Spain]] and did not return for the funeral.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/01/international/01cnd-fahd.html Saudi Arabia's King Fahd Dies; Abdullah Named New Leader], ''New York Times'', 1 August 2005. Retrieved 11 June 2008.</ref>
Construction and Development:


In a speech to an Islamic conference on 30 August 2003, King Fahd condemned terrorism and exhorted Muslim clerics to emphasize peace, security, cooperation, justice, and tolerance in their sermons.<ref>{{cite web|last=Prados|first=Alfred B.|title=Saudi Arabia: Current Issues and|url=http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/IB93113_20030915.pdf|publisher=CRS Issue Brief for Congress|accessdate=22 April 2012|year=2003}}</ref>
The reign of King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz was marked by a lot of achievements at the local level in Saudi Arabia, mainly the following:


==Wealth==
Issuance of the laws in the Kingdom, including the Basic Law of Governance in 1412 AH, the law of new regions in 1412 AH, the Shura Council in 1412 AH and the Cabinet Law in 1414 AH with the aim of developing and modernizing of society under Islamic Sharia rules.
Fahd's wealth was estimated to be $25 billion in 2002.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.forbes.com/2002/03/04/royalsphotoshow_print.html|title=Royal Flush|publisher=Forbes|date=4 March 2002|accessdate=18 November 2010}}</ref> ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune Magazine]]'' reported that his wealth in 1988 was $18 billion, making him the second richest person in the world.<ref>{{cite news|title=Princes are glue of nation|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WYRJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1wsNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1913,2195616&dq=prince+turki+king+khalid&hl=en|accessdate=7 August 2012|newspaper=The News and Courier|date=22 April 1990|agency=AP}}</ref> In addition to residences in Saudi Arabia he had a palace on [[Spain]]'s [[Costa del Sol]] which made [[Marbella]] a famous place.<ref name=coe>{{cite news|last=Coe|first=Justin|title=To Saudis, King Fahd falls short of ideal|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/1985/0213/oking2.html|accessdate=8 August 2013|work=The Christian Science Monitor|date=13 February 1985|location=Riyadh}}</ref>
The Two Holy Mosques have been expanded to accommodate a large number of pilgrims and facilitate for them to perform Hajj in an unprecedented ease, and the expansion area for the Holy Mosque reached 208 thousand square meters, and the areas surrounding the mosque were 40 thousand square meters. As for the Prophetic Mosque, the expansion area was 98,500 and the areas surrounding the mosque were 235 thousand square meters.
The Kingdom possesses and undertakes the complete stages of the country's oil industry, from exploration, production stage, refinery and manufacture of petroleum products, to the distribution and marketing of products in world markets.
the Kingdom succeeded in discovering more oil after new discoveries of light crude oil (good) in Al Hotah and Dalam in the Central Region near Riyadh made by Saudi Aramco Company» for more than 255,000 barrels and the Kingdom reserves of natural gas have also risen.
The Kingdom has emerged as a producer of petrochemicals and petrochemical products, invading the world's markets and two industrial cities in Jubail and Yanbu that match the industrial cities in the world alongside existing industrial cities.
The Kingdom has emerged as a producer of wheat and ranked sixth among the world's producers and exporters and the wheat was exported to more than 40 countries.
The Kingdom has achieved self-sufficiency in dairy products, eggs, chicken, and meats.
The Kingdom occupied the first place among the countries of the world in the production of dates, with an output of more than 500,000 tons per year.
The growth rate in the agricultural sector in year 1409 AH rose to 11.3% and the planted area was about three million hectares, and the wheat production was 3.3 million tons.
The Kingdom's exports of agricultural products and livestock in year 1408 AH rose to 2.863.000 tons with a total value of 1.2 billion Riyals.
The Kingdom occupied the first place among the countries of the world in the field of desalination and production rose to more than 500 million gallons of fresh water daily from 27 desalination plants.
The number of existing and currently pending dams was 200 dams with a storage capacity of more than 500 million cubic meters.
The average growth in the industrial sector in 1409 AH rose to 10.4%.
The number of producing factories in the Kingdom until the end of 1408 AH was 2138 factories with a total funding of about 95.6 billion Riyals, employing more than 41,000 workers.
The number of loans provided by the Industrial Development Fund for the industrial sector until the end of the year 1409 AH was 1284 loans totaling more than 16 billion and 804 million Riyals.
The production of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) in 1409 AH of petrochemical products was more than 10,000 Metric Tons marketed in more than 65 countries of the world and the company's revenue from its sales during the year was about 13620 million Riyals.
The production of cement in 1410 AH was about 14 million tons from eight factories.
The national sales in 1409 AH rose to 25 billion Riyals from nearly 17 billion Riyals in domestic market sales and 8 billion Riyals in export value.
The Grain Silos & Flour Mills Organization completed ten projects.
The number of loans made by the Saudi Agricultural Bank to the agricultural sector until the end of the financial year 1408-1409 AH was 341647 loans totaling over 23 billion Riyals.
The agricultural areas in the Kingdom witnessed the establishment of major agricultural companies.
The area of wastelands that were distributed to citizens until the end in 1409 AH was 1.409.342 Hectares.
The Kingdom produced in year 1409 AH 2500 million eggs, 205 chickens, and 208 million liters in dairy products from 40259 dairy cows from 39 private-sector projects.
The private sector's share in the gross fixed investment in the Kingdom rose to 46.5 percent in the Government sector, which accounted for 40.5% in 1407 AH. * The number of companies and institutions in the Kingdom in 1407 AH rose to 6594 companies and firms.
The number of students in various stages of public education in the Kingdom was 1452856 students in year 1399 AH and rose to 2840415 students in 1409 AH or 95.5% and the number of teachers in the said period rose from 78,309 to 184345 teachers.
The number of schools, colleges and institutes rose in 1409 AH to 16797 educational institutions, including 9061 institutions for boys, i.e. by 54% and 7736 girls ' institutions, or 46%.
The growth rate in the education sector for the schools was 4.8% and for students 7.7% and for teachers 1.9% and for grades 6.9%.
In higher education, the number of colleges rose from 51 colleges in 1399 - 1400 AH to 82 colleges in 1409 AH, and the number of students rose from 47733 to 115006 students and 8 universities in the Kingdom.
The rate of inflation in Saudi Arabia remained at low rates and the rates of cost-of-living indices decreased from 1% in 1988 AD to 0.9% in 1989 AD.
The growth rate of GDP, excluding oil, was 4.6% in 1989 AD compared to 1.9%.
The Kingdom in 1989 AD achieved a surplus in the trade balance of goods of 24673 million Riyals.
The Kingdom's imports fell in 1989 AD by 17% or 2,363 million Riyals.
The national exports during 1989 AD rose by 17% or 14996 million Riyals from the year before.
The Kingdom reached advanced levels in the area of health services and heart, kidney and cornea transplantation made successfully in hospitals in Saudi Arabia.
The Kingdom has made tremendous progress in the area of communications.
The Kingdom enjoys an extensive network of modern roads linking its regions and its cities and villages.
The travel time by train between Riyadh and Dammam was reduced to seven hours only.
The number of airports in the Kingdom until the end of the year 1407 AH was 23 airports, including three international airports in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran, which are among the most advanced airports in the world.
The number of quays in the ports of Saudi Arabia was 174 quays, of which 45 quays in the two industrial ports in Jubail and Yanbu, and volume of import handled during the year 1408 AH was about 21.5 million metric tons, and exports other than oil, was about 46.7 million metric tons.
On 24 Rabia I 1407 AH, a celebration was made under the auspices of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz and Emir of Bahrain Sheikh Issa Ibn Salman Al-Khalifa for the opening of the maritime bridge linking the Kingdom to Bahrain with a length of 25 km and 25 meters wide, which is one of the signs which expresses the fraternal ties between the two countries.
The number of loans made by the Saudi Credit Bank to help young people to marry and help people to restore and improve their homes and support professional craftsmen was 225646 loans totaling over 2,967 million Riyals since the start of its activity in lending to citizens on 9/11/1393 AH until the end of the financial year 1408 – 1409 AH.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud has chaired until his death the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, since its founding, and the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources assumes the Vice Chairman Post and the Commission comprise of four members. The Royal Commission attracted in its different projects many of the Saudi competencies and experience, in addition to the contribution of the private sector in multiple projects.
For Islamic solidarity


==Personal life==
The call for Islamic solidarity and serving Islam and Muslims are among the pillars of the Saudi policy, internally and externally, since the founding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the present day.
King Fahd was married at least four times. The spouses of King Fahd were as follows:


* HH Princess Al Anood bint Abdulaziz bin Mousad Al Saud (Deceased), mother of his eldest four sons, Prince Faisal, Prince Saud, Prince Sultan and Prince Khalid.<ref>{{cite news|title=Al Anoud bint Abdulaziz; King Fahd's Wife|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1999/mar/16/news/mn-17849|accessdate=9 February 2013|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=16 March 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=First wife of King Fahd dies|url=http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1999/First-Wife-of-King-Fahd-Dies/id-0113dc8399a0764765e1092ffc311451|accessdate=9 February 2013|work=Associated Press|date=9 May 1999}}</ref>
This policy And was laid by his Majesty the late King Abdulaziz and was followed by his successor sons, who brought it forward, until we saw this call and was crystallized in the summits and other for the Ministers of the Islamic countries in various fields, and in the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Islamic world Association, and the other for Muslim youth, and centers, institutes and mosques spread in most parts of the world for the sake of God and unite the Muslims.
* [[Al Jawhara bint Ibrahim Al Ibrahim|HH Princess Al Jawhara bint Ibrahim Al Ibrahim]], mother of [[Abdul Aziz bin Fahd|Prince Abdulaziz bin Fahd]]
* HH Princess Jawza bint Abdallah bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud (Divorced), mother of Prince Mohammad<ref name=datfam>{{cite web|title=Family Tree of Muhammad bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud|url=http://www.datarabia.com/royals/famtree.do?id=176534|publisher=Datarabia|accessdate=7 August 2013}}</ref>
* HH Princess Al Jowhara bint Abdullah Al Sudairi (Deceased)
* HH Princess Modhi bint Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud (Divorced)
* HH Princess Joza'a bint Sultan Al Adgham Al Subaie (Divorced)
* HH Princess Turfa bint Abdulaziz bin Mo'amar (Divorced)
* HH Princess Watfa bint Obaid bin Ali Al Jabr Al Rasheed (Divorced)
* HH Princess Lolwa al Abdulrahman al Muhana Aba al Khail (Divorced)
* HH Princess Shaikha bint Turki bin Mariq Al Thit (Divorced)
* HH Princess Seeta bint Ghunaim bin Sunaitan Abu Thnain (Divorced)
* [[Janan Harb]] (Widowed)<ref name="TheTimes">{{cite news|url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/life/article1749485.ece|title=The King and I|date=8 August 2007|accessdate=25 May 2012|work=The Times}}</ref>


King Fahd had six sons and four daughters.<ref name=allen/> His sons are:
In this respect, his Majesty King Fahd said:
* [[Faisal bin Fahd]] (1945–1999) Died of a [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]]. Director-general of Youth Welfare (1971–1999), director-general at ministry of planning and minister of state (1977–1999)
* [[Muhammad bin Fahd]] (born January 1950), former governor of [[Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia|the Eastern province]]
* [[Saud bin Fahd Al Saud|Saud bin Fahd]] (born 8 October 1950), former deputy president of the General Intelligence Directorate<ref name=ssabri/>
* [[Sultan bin Fahd]] (born 1951), army officer. Elevated to ministerial rank in November 1997. Former head of Youth Welfare
* Khalid bin Fahd (born February 1958)<ref name=ssabri>{{cite book|last=Sharif|first=Sabri|title=The House of Saud in Commerce: A Study of Royal Entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia,|year=2001|publisher=I. S. Publication|location=New Delhi|isbn=81-901254-0-0|url=http://books.google.com/?id=51Bb8Ix7xw8C&pg=PA151&lpg=PA151&dq=hala+bint+ahmad+al-sudairi#v=onepage&q=hala%20bint%20ahmad%20al-sudairi&f=false}}</ref>
* [[Abdul-Aziz bin Fahd|Abdulaziz bin Fahd]], (born 1973), Fahd's favorite and youngest son and minister of state without portfolio. He is the son of Princess Jawhara Al Ibrahim, Fahd's fourth and, reportedly, favorite wife.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200305/baer|title=The Fall of the House of Saud|work=The Atlantic|date=12 September 2001|accessdate=18 November 2010}}</ref>


==Death==
Saudi Arabia is one of the nations of Islam, and it is for them and one of them, originated primarily to carry the banner of advocacy to God, and was honored by God for the service of Makakh and his Prophetic Mosque, thus increasing the size of its responsibility, and characterized by its policy, increased duties, and is implementing those obligations at the international level is in line with God instruction to be characterized by wisdom and good preaching, and follow the Messenger PBUH when faced with adversity and utter devastation, using the mind as Islam is a religion of mercy, mind, and strength, rejecting vandalism, fighting demagoguery against humiliation, weakness and slackness.
King Fahd was admitted to the [[King Faisal Specialist Hospital]] in Riyadh on 27 May 2005 for unspecified medical tests.<ref name=fattah>{{cite news|last=Fattah|first=Hasan M.|title=Saudi King Hospitalized; Condition Is Called Serious|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/28/international/middleeast/28saudi.html?_r=0|accessdate=2 February 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=28 May 2005|location=Beirut}}</ref> An official (who insisted on anonymity) told the [[Associated Press]] unofficially that the king had died at 7:30 EDT on 1 August 2005. King Fahd was 84.<ref name=sam10aug>{{cite journal|last=Samh|first=Rasheed Aboul|title=Smooth succession|journal=Al Ahram Weekly|date=4–10 August 2005|volume=754|url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/754/re1.htm|accessdate=4 March 2013}}</ref> Official statement was announced on state television at 10:00 am by then information minister [[Iyad bin Amin Madani|Iyad Madani]].<ref name=sam10aug/>
these are the origins of our policy at home and abroad, so that the believers in God of the Muslim leaders and scholars have great responsibility in our support in the call to Allah, and the application of his provisions in the various branches of life, and we extend to them our hands sincerely and with honest faith, correct determination and unity, the nation of Islam will be the most powerful nation on land due to its faith first and then to the blessed enormous wealth and sensitive geographical centers, supported by military strength challenging the enemies and protecting the friends. If this goal that we still strive were achieved, the large countries would have not made conspiracies against us to crumble us and divide us and invade our lands, and Palestinian people would not have left for decades without a protected entity or nation to live in and Afghanistan would have remained independent not dirtied by the feet of the invaders, and our occupied lands would have been freed to breathe the breeze of freedom and relieved from the oppression of dictators.


===Funeral===
(You know, dear brothers, how from this Holy areas in Saudi Arabia the Islamic solidarity started, which was challenged by the East and West, and they tried to kill the idea, but the loyal determination of Muslim leaders has enabled us, so we established the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and the institutions and bodies that were derived from or who working to achieve their goals, and this is the circle inside which we practice now our Islamic activity and is not inferior to the importance or the strength of the Arab nation as Islam is our pride and Muslims are our support and strategic dept.
King Fahd was buried in the last ''[[thawb]]'' (traditional Arab robe) he wore. Fahd’s body was carried to Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque, and funeral prayers were held at around 3:30pm local time (12:30 GMT) on 2 August.<ref name=sam10aug/> The prayers for the late monarch were led by the Kingdom’s grand mufti, [[Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh]].


The "funeral prayer", during which worshipers remain standing, was performed after afternoon prayers. The ceremony was replicated in other mosques across the Kingdom, where the "prayers for the absentee" were held.
On this basis, the third Organization of the Islamic Conference was held on 9 Rabia I, 1401 AH (25 January 1981 AD), which was a distinct historical event, for the first time in history this number of Kings, Presidents and leaders of Muslims have met in this pure place in the most beautiful appearance of the expression of fraternity, solidarity, and understanding, and after his Majesty King Khalid, God rest his soul, has delivered the opening speech, followed by King Fahd for additional speech delivered on the podium near the Kaaba, praising the Islamic nation for its solidarity and unity.


The body was carried by King Fahd's son, Abdul Aziz bin Fahd to the mosque and to the [[Al Oud cemetery]] some two kilometres away, a public cemetery where Fahd’s four predecessors and other members of the Al Saud ruling family are buried.<ref name=gnews11>{{cite news|last=Shaheen|first=Abdul Nabi|title=Sultan will have simple burial at Al Oud cemetery|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/sultan-will-have-simple-burial-at-al-oud-cemetery-1.916706|accessdate=29 July 2012|newspaper=Gulf News|date=23 October 2011}}</ref><ref name=jam1aug>{{cite news|last=Sturcke|first=James|title=Saudi king dies|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/aug/01/saudiarabia.jamessturcke|accessdate=8 August 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=1 August 2005}}</ref>
His Majesty King Khalid entrusted his Crown Prince to lead the sessions of the Conference, which was followed by the world's media and international political circles with much attention, and was attended by United Nations Secretary General Kurt Waldheim (formerly) to the Conference as observer in an expression of UN appreciation for the active vital role of the Islamic block in the international sphere, and its significance in world peace.


Arab and Muslim dignitaries who attended the funeral were not present at the burial. Only ruling family members and Saudi citizens were on hand as the body was lowered into the grave.
The Conference resulted in the purification of the atmosphere between some Islamic States, opened new pages of brotherly relations between some of the others, which underscored the utmost importance attached by Saudi Arabia for Islamic solidarity, as a principle and as a means to serve the religion of God, and unite the Muslims.


Muslim leaders offered condolences at the mosque, while other foreign dignitaries and leaders who came after the funeral paid their respects at the royal court.
King Fahd has sponsored the Islamic efforts aimed to strengthen the linkages among themselves, and, in various stages of his life, he had traveled to most Islamic countries, as part of the various responsibilities that he has assumed to purify the atmosphere and support the Islamic issues and unit Muslims and make their solidarity a reality.


In accordance with regulations and social traditions, Saudi Arabia declared a national mourning period of three days during which all offices were closed. Government offices remained closed for the rest of the week.<ref name="sam10aug"/> The state flag was not lowered (since the [[flag of Saudi Arabia]] bears the ''[[Shahada]]'', the Islamic [[creed|declaration of faith]], the flag's protocol requires the flag not to be lowered)
His Majesty King Fahd has always supported Islamic associations, especially in non-Muslim countries, and contributed to the building of the mosques and Islamic religious, cultural and social centers, in line with the responsibility of the Kingdom as areas for attention and hopes of Muslims all over the world.


After his death, many Arab countries declared [[mourning]] periods.<ref name=aex>{{cite web|title=King Fahd Brought Vision of Progress|url=http://www.aramcoexpats.com/articles/2005/08/king-fahd-brought-vision-of-progress/|work=Aramco ExPats|location=Riyadh|date=5 August 2005}}</ref> [[Algeria]], [[Egypt]], [[Iraq]], [[Kuwait]], [[Lebanon]], [[Morocco]], [[Oman]], [[Qatar]], [[Syria]], [[Yemen]], the [[Arab League]] in [[Cairo]], and the [[Palestinian Authority]] all declared three-day mourning periods.<ref name=aex/> [[Pakistan]] and the [[United Arab Emirates]] declared a seven-day mourning period and ordered all flags flown at half-staff.<ref name=par18aug>{{cite news|last=Parthasarathy|first=G.|title=Global terrorism The Pakistan-Saudi Arabia nexus|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/global-terrorism-the-pakistansaudi-arabia-nexus/article2185845.ece?ref=archive|accessdate=12 April 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=10 August 2005}}</ref> In [[Jordan]], a national three-day mourning period was declared and a 40-day mourning period was decreed at the Royal Court.
King Fahd strived to sponsor specialized Islamic conferences held in Saudi Arabia and the opening of most sessions himself, to stress in his words on the importance of Islamic teamwork, saying:


Many foreign dignitaries attended the funeral, such as [[Vice President of the United States|US Vice President]] [[Dick Cheney]], [[President of France|French President]] [[Jacques Chirac]], [[King Juan Carlos]] of Spain, [[Prince Charles]] of the United Kingdom, Pakistan [[President Pervez Musharraf]], King [[Abdullah II of Jordan]], Palestinian President [[Mahmoud Abbas]], [[Singapore]] [[Senior Minister]] [[Goh Chok Tong]], and President of Mauritania [[Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya]] (under deposition).
that teamwork is the characteristic for the success of the Islamic nation and its ability to meet challenges.


==Awards==
For Pan-Arabism:
[[File:Royal Victorian Chain Ribbon.gif|50px]] [[Royal Victorian Chain]].<ref name=deb1999>{{cite journal|last=Deb|first=HL|title=British honours and orders of Chivalry held by overseas heads of state|journal=Hansard|date=14 March 1999|volume=505|url=http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1989/mar/14/british-honours-and-orders-of-chivalry|accessdate=18 July 2013}}</ref><ref name=raw2003>{{cite news|last=Raw-Rees|first=Owain|title=Honours and awards|url=http://www.sbtd.co.uk/RGBBNEWS/Spring%202003/rgbnspg03%20pg%2012.pdf|accessdate=18 July 2013|newspaper=RGBB News|date=Spring 2003}}</ref>


[[File:%C4%B0stiqlal_ordeni-lent.png|left|50px]] [[Istiglal Order]] (7 March 2005)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://e-qanun.az/print.php?internal=view&target=1&docid=9650&doctype=0|title=Notice|publisher=E-qanun|accessdate=20 January 2011}}</ref>
On each occasion, his Majesty King Fahd underscores the depth of the Kingdom's sense of Arab belonging that is an integral part of the Islamic affiliation.
{{-}}
In 1984, King Fahd received [[King Faisal International Prize|the Faisal Prize for Service to Islam]] awarded by [[King Faisal Foundation|the King Faisal Foundation]].<ref name="Eds.1986">{{cite book|author=Haim Shaked and Daniel Dishon, Eds.|title=Middle East Contemporary Survey, Vol. 8, 1983-84|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=t32OO3DkDikC&pg=PA166|accessdate=18 July 2013|year=1986|publisher=The Moshe Dayan Center|isbn=978-965-224-006-4|pages=166}}</ref>


The premise to build greatness is the religion of God that they have carried from the Arabian Peninsula and calling for a timeless message: the book of God is in their hearts and faith from victory to victory.

His Majesty has in various phases of his public life a prominent role in addressing many Arab issues, so he visited all Arab States more than once, and attended many Arab conferences and meetings and was an intermediary of love and peace among the contending Arab States and was besides all Arab people on their issues, whether political, military or economic, which was keen to emphasize this affiliation in various events:

The first stages of our cooperation is the Arabic League surrounding the Arabic nation and drawing the border of its activities with us and we are trying from the inside to work with our Arab brothers to unify the efforts and solve the dispute, as we believe in the unity as a deterrent force and dismantling weakness and we sincerely hope that the disputes are marginal between the Arab States

The most important issues that was of concern to the Arabs at present and to his Majesty King Fahd recorded historical efforts that helped to alleviate much of the ravages of war, and made what could be done to put them on the road to solution, which are the issue of Palestine and Lebanon.

The modern history of the Palestinian cause has praised for more than a quarter of a century King Fahd's historical efforts a constant effort in international Arab forums to support the right of the Palestinian people to its land, and explain this issue to Western leaders and world leaders who he met on various occasions.

These positions have caused much inconvenience to the Zionist circles and whose who backed and they started to focus their attacks on Saudi Arabia and its leaders, but Fahd announced, on each occasion, the position of Zionism and the Palestinian issue, which is an irreversible position of principle, and that the Zionist propaganda and honks may fabricate their lies, with confidence that Arab victory day is coming –God willing and the defeat of Zionism is a historical inevitability, whether Israel and Zionism like it or not..

It was clear that the fall of the Camp David Accords held by former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat was due to the firm position of Saudi Arabia that these accords are not enough to achieve the desired solution, and these Accords have ever since they were signed to date as having the same deadlock unlike the hopes the Zionist enemy.
His Majesty believes that unity is the major force of Arabs to achieve their goals and he kept stressed that and adopting it to clear differences and unites the Arabs on one position.

His Majesty said:

that the basic principles are indisputable, we demand the liberation of the occupied Arab land and it is the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and to independent Palestinian State, and he stated that the Camp David Accords, although not having the final solution were subject to attempts by Israel to maneuver the Arabs and gain time. Thus, the Arabs must find a solution to their problem, and will not find this solution only if they were able to unite and stand against the problem: a one nation with a united word. The real and actual Arab solidarity is to hold the world to respect us and look at our problem seriously in order to allow us to gain more friends, and force the enemy to take us into account in returning the rights to its holders. The world public opinion is convinced in our legitimate right in Palestine, and the return of the homeless Palestinian people to their homeland, and their freedom to self-determination and statehood, all with the unity of ourselves and our positions and our ability to work together and rejection of the occupation of the land of the people by force, which the Palestinian people and their legitimate right to self-determination in their own land and home

King Fahd felt the force of unity is the first way to convince international public opinion in the Justice of our cause and forcing the Zionist enemy to stop its aggression, and the perception of facts from a realistic perspective.

It was a political gesture worthy of appreciation that Fahd laid his initiative to resolve the ((the Middle East Cause)) to put an end to wasteful, bloodshed, chaos and turbulence, which carried the name of ((Fahd Plan)) and then switched to the resolutions adopted by the twelfth Arabic Summit held in Fez, and its name became ((Arab Plan)), as adopted by the fourth session of the Islamic Summit Conference held in Casablanca.

Fahd put the whole world in front of its responsibility towards the Palestinian problem that the United Nations has taken for it dozens of resolutions that have not been implemented, where he has concluded the plan points from the resolutions of the United Nations itself, and said:

here are a set of principles that can guide the way to a settlement, which the United Nations has already adopted and reaffirmed repeatedly over the past few years

Those principles are:

The withdrawal of Israel from all territories occupied in 1967 including Arab Jerusalem.
Removal of the settlements set up by Israel in the Arab lands after 1967 AD.
Ensuring freedom of religion and worship for all religions in the Holy places.
Reaffirming the right of the Palestinian people and compensation from unwilling to return.
The West Bank and Gaza Strip is to be subject for a transitional period under UN supervision for a period of less than a few months.
The establishment of an independent Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its capital.
Reaffirming the right of the States of the region to live in peace.
The United Nations or come if its Member States to ensure the implementation of those principles.
As we see it, these principles are a conclusion of United Nations resolutions and the numerous initiatives by the Western European and other States, and they are to make the UN accountable for the implementation of its resolutions if it really wants to put an end to the constant Israeli aggression.

But Fahd, with his awareness of the dimensions of the problem and their background, he noted that the implementation of those principles is subject to three conditions :

Stopping the unlimited American support for Israel.
Putting an end to the Israeli arrogance represented by ((Menachem Begin)) with its horrific forms. This condition can be achieved automatically if the first condition is met.
Recognizing that the Palestinian factor is the base in the equation ((Middle East)).
The global uproar caused by ((Fahd Plan)) was a sign for the conviction of all parties involved in the issue that this is the only real way to solve the problem through the decisions of the United Nations and the Security Council and some Arab States, an intensification of all solutions taking into account the Palestinian rights.

His Majesty pointed out that explicitly when he hold the States responsible for the persistence of Israel of its responsibilities, he said:

the responsibility of the US for the Arab-Israeli conflict does not exempt the Western European States from their responsibilities, in particular Britain, which currently holds the Presidency of the European Market Group which bears great responsibility for what has happened to the Palestinian people. .. that the interests of Western Europe in Arab Region are not less important or vital from the interests of the United States, and we have heard a lot about the European movement and the European initiative and did not see anything specific yet..

Fahd launched his initiative to remind the world and its international bodies and organizations of their responsibilities and resolutions, he said:

that the principles I have mentioned is not my innovation, but they are resolutions issued by the United Nations Security Council or the General Assembly of the United Nations, and can be combined all together in one resolution to be issued by the Security Council as a framework for a comprehensive settlement

We must point out that ((Fahd Plan)) has included besides its eight principles three conditions, and must deem the principles and conditions as an integral unit, hence the world countries – each as per its responsibility – must choose between continuing and worsening of the Middle East problem and its complexity or respecting the United Nations resolutions and taking the right decision and its proper implementation.

And with all this, and from the deep perception of the nature of the world in which we live, Fahd said on numerous occasions both at home and abroad that the self Arab force along with the Islamic sister force are able to say the word of separation, when united, and the side differences disappeared as well as the marginal conflicts among them.
As for the issue of Lebanon, its events has escalated dangerously from 1395 AH (1975 AD) and during which Saudi Arabia was seeking with all its effort to stop bleeding and prevent infighting and restore the unity and territorial integrity of Lebanon and its sovereignty.

Fahd was following the case from all aspects and stages, and called time after time for the need to stop the fighting among the people, and offering the solutions that are consistent with the best interests of Lebanon.

Saudi Arabia has contributed in reducing the ordeals of war and help the Lebanese people at different stages of the issue, participated in the Arab Deterrence Forces when a decision is made to form these forces and send them to Lebanon, and also participated in all discussions and political talks between the various local and foreign parties in Lebanon, and provided medical and material aid to war-affected, and have been following every move intended to put an end to what is happening in Lebanon. His Majesty said:

The Lebanese situation is one of main weaknesses in the Arab position, the power of Lebanon is the power of Arabs, and the weak of Lebanon is the weakness of Arabs, and that fighting in Lebanon between the people and the resulting destruction and devastation and bloodshed of the innocent blood is an upsetting issue and a source of sadness and grief..

That the recovery of Lebanon's health became critical and is among our priorities and that will come only through supporting the efforts of the Lebanese and Syrian Governments to achieve national reconciliation among all disputed Lebanese parties and support the legitimacy of Lebanon

During the Israeli aggression on Lebanon, reaching Beirut and surrounding areas, the firm Saudi position played a prominent role in the American pressure on the aggressor to stop its aggression and implement the decision of the Palestinian resistance heroes to leave Beirut after seventy-three days of honorably brave resistance to the Israeli war machine, which prevented Israel's goal of the resistance destruction, humiliation and elimination.

At the same time, the efforts of Saudi Arabia was following the fires in the Arab House, both in East or West, it sought to resolve many disagreements, and brought many Arab countries closer together that were far apart, in line with Fahd's always call for the need to unify the Arab stance to face our enemies our predators.

Gulf Cooperation:

From the larger Muslim world in which Saudi Arabia operate to the Arab world, which is another area of the Saudi solidarity movement was the creation of ((Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf) described by his Majesty King Fahd by saying:

We have with God blessing established with our brothers in the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf a strong and effective force, which is Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and a shield for Arabs, repelling harm and deepen ties

The idea of establishing the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf was to coordinate relations and standardize the organization in the various political, military, economic, social, media, health, communication areas for homogenization of lifestyles in the GCC States: Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., the Sultanate of Oman.

The peoples of these countries shared the land, history, religion, language, interests, and relationships among them and strength since the earliest times, it was normal, with their leaders that these relations are crystallized in the form of foundation called ((Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf)) having a General Secretariat and specialized sub-institutions, and is headed at the highest level Kings and Princes of these States through periodic conferences of the Summit to be held in the capitals of the States, respectively, at which various issues of interest to the Council and the Points of convergence among themselves on various matters are discussed.

The Council has demonstrated its effectiveness in the face of events in the world and in the region in terms of oil affairs where the council states are at the forefront of the producers, or in connection with the Iran-Iraq war, or attempts of domination and interference by some major powers. The position of the six GCC countries was unified on all of these things, which gave it a wide international dimensions that have proven its effectiveness, and initiative, and recognizing its goals at the foreign level, such as Gulf protection from any interference with its citizens alone, or at the internal level the overall coordination of the various aspects of life.

The Cooperation Council was, from the top to the various levels of other activities a proof of the determination of the State to continue its efforts to complete all and causes of power and consolidate this Arab and Islamic solidarity achievement.

During the conference of the Gulf Summit in the state of Qatar, his Majesty King Fahd expressed his feelings about the council achievements, he said:

that the Cooperation Council was primarily formed to meet the hopes and aspirations and the expectations of these peoples, and in response to the desires and tendencies towards real solidarity and collaboration, as the embodiment of the intimate ties that bind our nations, where our Islamic belief has unified and preserved our personality and our identity and distinguished us, and we share one spirit of cooperation, friendship and brotherhood among us.

We are still confronted with challenges and difficulties necessitating to combine efforts and integrate capabilities, and comprehensive preparation, to ensure our freedom and independence and the security, stability and progress of the people for our glorious nation its dignity, making us accept this meeting in an optimistic spirit to be the best, God willing, we will be able with God's help and grace to move forward towards achieving the noble goals and aspirations which are sought by the Cooperation Council

For world peace:

Saudi Arabia has always been an active member of the international community; it is one of the founding States of the United Nations, and of the active states in the various international institutions of the United Nations or other and whose global efforts commensurate with its international group politically and economically and in every other area.

In addition, the Kingdom occupies a special status among all Muslims, where they turn to the Holy land in Makkah and Madinah as pilgrims and visitors and they turn their hearts and their bodies toward the Kaaba five times each day in their prayers.

And with international changes, politically and economically, the global position of Saudi Arabia has become more deep and firm, working on closer ties with friends, without prejudice to national commitments to the Islamic and Arab issues, but those ties are measured from the Saudi point of view how the friends support great causes of the Islamic and Arab nation.

In the past few years, ongoing activities were carried out by the Kingdom at the international level with the exchange of visits at the highest levels, and discussion of various global issues, while views differ sometimes, the world politicians has agreed to the wisdom, experience and foresight of his Majesty King Fahd and the global issues that he tries to resolve from the perspective of the interest of world peace and the Islamic and Arab interests the on the other.

In this regard, his Majesty said:

we are working in the overall international environment within the United Nations and its branches and organizations, and we are committed to its Charter and we support its efforts and fight any abnormal behavior seeking its weakness, reducing the power of international law to replace it by power of arms and terrorism, and our actions will reflect our sense of belonging to the international group as one family regardless of their interests, and faith in peace based on truth and justice, and we believe that international security and political stability are linked to economic efficiency and are the result thereof

It was natural, and expected that Zionist circles and forces of anti-Islam, Muslims, Arabs and Arabism to harbor hatred against Saudi Arabia, and its international standing and the audible call made in various global issues, thus there were fierce campaigns of slander and lies against the Kingdom and its leadership in the various media in some countries.

His Majesty King Fahd expressed that he is aware of the dimensions of these campaigns and goals, he said in a press interview:

that Saudi Arabia is under a fierce campaign for almost two years (since 1978) and this date denotes the link of the campaign with the Kingdom's opposing position on amputated attempts for the settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The Zionist powers are trying to distract us with such side battles to deviate us from the line we took along our nation's fair issues, moreover, the hostility to Islam is a common denominator of many powers, and this battle is old and renewed constantly, and the enemies of Islam are aware of our role in the service of Islam and Muslims, they consider that the campaign against us is an integral part of their campaign against Islam and that it complements each other.

In order to put things into perspective, I point out that the Trinity who we fight is colonialism, communism and Zionism, this Trinity is now involved in the campaign against us. .. with many and varied malignant methods and.., and as the days pass they attack us fiercer

If the oil – the backbone of modern civilization - is the biggest concern of Western countries, and the position of the Kingdom of its direct impact on those issues, the most pressing question from the journalists and the media in those countries is to try tracing the Kingdom's position on this subject, the king's comment in this respect was characterized by firm decisiveness, leaving anyone to understands it as consistent with the interests and positions of the major Arabic issues.

His Majesty said:

we always like to rule out the bad possibilities and we like to give chance between States affecting our destiny through dialogue and persuasion, and we would like the whole world to realize with us this honest desire to reinstate security and stability in its economy and not to expose the oil consuming countries to economic disorder reflecting the whole world

It does not meat that we spare any weapon we can if we get to a stage of (desperation) from the fair solution, and if the international community recognize our good intentions, it is time to use every weapon we can use, and then try the blood, which is more expensive than oil, but the most expensive thing in life

In the mid 1401 AH (1981 AD), the world was talking for several months about (AWACS deal) the advanced electronic surveillance aircraft sought by Saudi Arabia to acquire to protect its vast, airspaces with sophisticated equipment to increase the efficiency of aircraft (f-15) in the Royal Saudi air force.

At that time, the Zionist circles in the United States made a major turmoil to disable this deal, but the firm position of Fahd in this issue and explicitly declared that the Kingdom can get its need for monitoring aircraft and equipment from anywhere in the world made the U.S. Government confront this artificial turmoil and meet the request of the Kingdom.

Fahd summarized then, the position of the Government of Saudi Arabia by saying:

First of all, I would like to state that the purchase of aircraft and equipment of any kind is an act of sovereignty, and we do not allow anyone to prejudice our right to exercise our sovereignty, where sovereignty is not subject to diligence…

and let everyone knows that, whether the lobbying groups in the United States, Zionist journalists or paid media trumpets in the West.

We have followed, in Saudi Arabia, the mounting campaign against us for weeks by the Zionist enemy and its agents in the West.., sometimes they say that the aircraft deal upsets the balance of power in the region, and others claim that the deal will increase the arms race between the countries of the Middle East, and at times they demand the cancellation of the deal (as punishment) for the Kingdom's position on the Camp David Accords, and at other times they claim that aircraft (AWACS) can monitor the movements of the Israeli army, and that the aircraft (F-15) with sophisticated equipment could strike any point in occupied Palestine, from any point of the Kingdom. We followed this and more than that, and we are surprised how a crooked logic as this still finds in the American press large areas to express itself... Do they want to say to Israel that occupies by force of arms all the territory of Palestine from the sea to the River, in addition to other Arab territories, and daily assaults the Palestinian and Lebanese people by air, sea and land with the most deadly weapons and revel in Beirut, Sidon and Tyre, Nabatiyah, Ayshiyyeh with its aircrafts causing death and destruction to the Palestinian refugees in the camps, and unsuspecting civilians, and ignore the will of the international community and United Nations resolutions, and Israel says that the Saudis were threatening its security and they disturb the balance of powers? ...

It is ironic that members of the US Congress are chanting these words within a harmonious and coherent Zionist campaign, wishing that those members would visit southern Lebanon to see with their own eyes who is threatening, assaulting, and killing. The farce has reached its peak when ((Begin)) said in ((Time)) Magazine: ((if the deal were made in the worst day in the history of the United States, Israel and the free world, the deal would be the most dangerous thing to happen to Israel)). .. Let ((Begin)) and his horns know that the deal is part of the plan to build a modern Saudi army that can perform its duties and the cacophonic voices will not deter us from carrying our plan because the doors of the world are open for us.

The position of Saudi Arabia on the issue of oil prices and the volume of production in the States (OPEC) was appreciated by the whole world. King Fahd announced on many occasions the need to implement the resolutions of (OPEC) to prevent endangering the global economy to the risk of inflation and collapse, and he had always believed that every arbitrary increase in oil prices is faced with automatic increase in exported material prices by oil consuming countries, and the crucial Saudi position – as the largest producers (OPEC) – had its vital role in stabilizing oil prices and controlling the production and has endured great sacrifices in order to maintain the cohesion of (OPEC) countries and stressing its international policy that takes the interests of the world as a whole into account.
==Ancestry==
==Ancestry==
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*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4736935.stm Saudi King Fahd is laid to rest] ([[BBC News]], 2 August 2005)
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4737637.stm International editorial reaction to Fahd's death]
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4737637.stm International editorial reaction to Fahd's death]

*[http://www.kingfahad.sa/en/about-king-fahd]
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Revision as of 03:59, 28 March 2015

Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
فهد بن عبدالعزيز السعود
King of Saudi Arabia
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia
King of Saudi Arabia
Reign13 June 1982 – 1 August 2005
Bay'ah13 June 1982
PredecessorKhalid
SuccessorAbdullah
RegentCrown Prince Abdullah
(21 February 1996 – 1 August 2005)
Born(1921-03-16)16 March 1921
Riyadh, Sultanate of Nejd
Died1 August 2005(2005-08-01) (aged 84)
King Faisal Hospital, Riyadh
Burial2 August 2005
Al Oud cemetery, Riyadh
IssueFaisal bin Fahd
Khaled bin Fahd
Muhammad bin Fahd
Saud bin Fahd
Sultan bin Fahd
Abdul-Aziz bin Fahd
HouseHouse of Saud
FatherIbn Saud
MotherHassa bint Ahmed Al Sudairi
ReligionIslam

Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, (Arabic: فهد بن عبد العزيز السعود Fahd ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Sa‘ūd) (16 March 1921 – 1 August 2005) was the King of Saudi Arabia from 1982 to 2005.

Early life and education

Fahd bin Abdulaziz was born in Riyadh in 1921.[1][2] He is the eighth son of Ibn Saud.[3] His mother was Hassa Al Sudairi[4] and he was the eldest member of the Sudairi Seven.[5]

Fahd's education took place at the Princes' School in Riyadh, a school established by Ibn Saud specifically for the education of members of the House of Saud.[6] He received education for four years as a result of his mother's urging.[7] While at the Princes' School, Fahd studied under tutors including Sheikh Abdul-Ghani Khayat.[8] Then he went on to receive education at the Religious Knowledge Institute in Mecca.[6][9]

Early political positions

Prince Fahd was made a member of the royal advisory board at his mother's urging.[10] In 1945, Prince Fahd traveled on his first state visit to San Francisco for the signing of the UN charter.[11] On this trip he served under his brother, Prince Faisal, who was at the time Saudi Arabia's foreign minister.[9] In 1953, Fahd led his first official state visit, attending the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on behalf of the House of Saud.[8][12][13] On 24 December 1953, Prince Fahd was appointed education minister, being the first person holding this post in the country.[14][15]

Prince Fahd led the Saudi delegation to the League of Arab States in 1959, signifying his increasing prominence in the House of Saud—and that he was being groomed for a more significant role. In 1962, Fahd was given the important post of interior minister.[7] As interior minister he headed the Saudi delegation at a meeting of Arab Heads of State in Egypt in 1965.[9] He was named second deputy prime minister in 1967, which was created for the first time by King Faisal.[9][16]

Crown Prince

After the death of King Faisal in 1975, Fahd was named first deputy prime minister and concurrently crown prince in 1975.[17][18] Although Prince Fahd had two elder brothers, Prince Nasser and Prince Saad, who had prior claims to the throne, both were considered unsuitable candidates.[17] By contrast, Prince Fahd had served as minister of education from 1954 to 1960 and minister of interior from 1962 to 1975.[17]

Appointment of Prince Fahd as both crown prince and first deputy prime minister made him a much more powerful figure in contrast to the status of King Khalid when he had been crown prince during King Faisal's reign.[19]

Reign

King Fahd gave money for building mosques throughout the world. The Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque, at Europa Point Gibraltar, which opened in 1997, is one such mosque.

When King Khalid died on 13 June 1982, Fahd succeeded to the throne. He was the fifth king of Saudi Arabia.[20] However, the most active period of his life was not his reign, but when he was Crown Prince.[21] He adopted the title "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques" in 1986, replacing "His Majesty", to signify an Islamic rather than secular authority.[9]

Foreign policy

Fahd was a supporter of the United Nations. He supported foreign aid and gave 5.5% of Saudi Arabia's national income through various funds especially the Saudi Fund for Development and the OPEC Fund for International Development. He also gave aid to foreign groups such as the Bosnian Muslims in the Yugoslav Wars, as well as the Nicaraguan Contras, providing "a million dollars per month from May to December 1984".[22] King Fahd was also a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause and an opponent of the State of Israel.[23] Fahd was staunch ally of the United States, and once said "After Allah, we can count on the United States."[24]

King Fahd developed a peace plan in order to resolve Arab differences particularly between Algeria and Morocco.[25][26] He also actively contributed to the Taif accord in 1989 that ended conflict in Lebanon.[15][25] In addition, he led the Arab world against the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq.[25] He developed a special bond with both Syrian President Hafez Assad and Egyptian President Hosni Mobarak during his reign.[27]

Islamic activities

Fearing that the 1979 Revolution in Iran could lead to similar Islamic upheaval in Saudi Arabia, Fahd spent considerable sums, after ascending the throne in 1982, to support Saddam Hussein's Iraq in its war with Iran.[28] He also changed his royal title to "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques", and took steps to support the conservative Saudi religious establishment, including spending millions of dollars on religious education, further distancing himself from his inconvenient past.[29]

Recreational activities

At the same time as King Fahd presided over a more strict Islamic policy at home he was known to enjoy luxurious living abroad, even in ways that would not be allowed in his own kingdom. He visited the ports of the French Riviera, in his 147-metre (482 ft) yacht, the $100 million Abdul Aziz. The ship featured two swimming pools, a ballroom, a gym, a theatre, a portable garden, a hospital with an intensive-care unit and two operating rooms, and four American Stinger missiles.[30] The king also had a personal $150 million Boeing 747 jet, equipped with his own fountain. In his visits to London he reportedly lost millions of dollars in the casinos and was even known to circumvent the curfew imposed by British gaming laws by hiring his own blackjack and roulette dealers to continue gambling through the night in his hotel suite.[31]

Persian Gulf War, 1991

Main article: Gulf War

In 1990, Iraqi forces under Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, placing the Iraqi army (then the largest in the Middle East) on the Saudi-Kuwaiti border. King Fahd agreed to host American-led coalition troops in his Kingdom, and later allowed American troops to be based there.[32] This decision brought him considerable criticism and opposition from many Saudi citizens, who objected to the presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil;[33] this was a casus belli against the Saudi royal family prominently cited by Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda. His decision was also objected to by his full brothers or the Sudairi Seven.[32]

Reform and industrialization

In regard to reform, King Fahd showed little tolerance for reformists. In 1992, a group of reformists and prominent Saudi intellectuals petitioned King Fahd for wide ranging reforms, including widening political representation, and curbing the royal family's wasteful spending. King Fahd first responded by ignoring their requests and when they persisted, reformists were harshly persecuted, imprisoned and fired from their jobs.

During King Fahd's rule, the royal family's lavish spending of the country's wealth reached its height. In addition, the biggest and most controversial military contract of the century, the Al-Yamamah arms deal was signed on his watch.[34] The contract has cost the Saudi treasury more than $90 billion. These funds were originally allocated to building hospitals, schools, universities and roads. As a result, Saudi Arabia endured a stagnation in infrastructure development from 1986 till 1999 when the new King, Abdullah, fully came into power.

Like all the countries bordering the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia under King Fahd has focused its industrial development on hydrocarbon installations. Up to this day, the country is reliant on imports for nearly all its light and heavy machinery.

King Fahd established a Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs directed by senior family members and technocrats in 1994. The council was planned to function as an ombudsman of Islamic activity concerning educational, economic and foreign policy matters. The chairman of the council was Prince Sultan. Prince Nayef, Prince Saud and a technocrat Mohammed Ali Aba al Khayl were appointed to the newly established council. One of the covert purposes of the council was thought to be to reduce the power of the Ulemas Council had been increasing its power.[35]

Succession mechanism

In an effort to institutionalize succession King Fahd issued a decree on 1 March 1992.[36] The decree expanded the criteria for succession, which had been only seniority and family consensus, and led to speculations.[36] The most significant change by the edict was that the King did acquire the right to appoint or dismiss his heir apparent based on suitability rather than seniority and that the grandsons of Abdulaziz became eligible for the throne.[36]

Rule after the 1995 stroke

King Fahd was a heavy smoker, overweight for much of his adult life, and in his sixties began to suffer from arthritis and severe diabetes.[5] He suffered a debilitating stroke on 29 November 1995[15] and became noticeably frail, and decided to delegate the running of the Kingdom to Crown Prince Abdullah on 2 January 1996.[33][36][37] On 21 February, King Fahd resumed official duties.[38]

After his stroke King Fahd was partly inactive and had to use a cane and then a wheelchair,[39] though he still attended meetings and received selected visitors. In November 2003, according to government media, King Fahd was quoted as saying to "strike with an iron fist" at terrorists after deadly bombings in Saudi Arabia, although he could hardly utter a word because of his deteriorating health. However, it was Crown Prince Abdullah who took official trips; when King Fahd traveled it was for vacations, and he was sometimes absent from Saudi Arabia for months at a time. When his oldest son and International Olympic Committee member Prince Faisal bin Fahd died in 1999, the King was in Spain and did not return for the funeral.[40]

In a speech to an Islamic conference on 30 August 2003, King Fahd condemned terrorism and exhorted Muslim clerics to emphasize peace, security, cooperation, justice, and tolerance in their sermons.[41]

Wealth

Fahd's wealth was estimated to be $25 billion in 2002.[42] Fortune Magazine reported that his wealth in 1988 was $18 billion, making him the second richest person in the world.[43] In addition to residences in Saudi Arabia he had a palace on Spain's Costa del Sol which made Marbella a famous place.[44]

Personal life

King Fahd was married at least four times. The spouses of King Fahd were as follows:

  • HH Princess Al Anood bint Abdulaziz bin Mousad Al Saud (Deceased), mother of his eldest four sons, Prince Faisal, Prince Saud, Prince Sultan and Prince Khalid.[45][46]
  • HH Princess Al Jawhara bint Ibrahim Al Ibrahim, mother of Prince Abdulaziz bin Fahd
  • HH Princess Jawza bint Abdallah bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud (Divorced), mother of Prince Mohammad[47]
  • HH Princess Al Jowhara bint Abdullah Al Sudairi (Deceased)
  • HH Princess Modhi bint Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud (Divorced)
  • HH Princess Joza'a bint Sultan Al Adgham Al Subaie (Divorced)
  • HH Princess Turfa bint Abdulaziz bin Mo'amar (Divorced)
  • HH Princess Watfa bint Obaid bin Ali Al Jabr Al Rasheed (Divorced)
  • HH Princess Lolwa al Abdulrahman al Muhana Aba al Khail (Divorced)
  • HH Princess Shaikha bint Turki bin Mariq Al Thit (Divorced)
  • HH Princess Seeta bint Ghunaim bin Sunaitan Abu Thnain (Divorced)
  • Janan Harb (Widowed)[48]

King Fahd had six sons and four daughters.[7] His sons are:

  • Faisal bin Fahd (1945–1999) Died of a heart attack. Director-general of Youth Welfare (1971–1999), director-general at ministry of planning and minister of state (1977–1999)
  • Muhammad bin Fahd (born January 1950), former governor of the Eastern province
  • Saud bin Fahd (born 8 October 1950), former deputy president of the General Intelligence Directorate[49]
  • Sultan bin Fahd (born 1951), army officer. Elevated to ministerial rank in November 1997. Former head of Youth Welfare
  • Khalid bin Fahd (born February 1958)[49]
  • Abdulaziz bin Fahd, (born 1973), Fahd's favorite and youngest son and minister of state without portfolio. He is the son of Princess Jawhara Al Ibrahim, Fahd's fourth and, reportedly, favorite wife.[50]

Death

King Fahd was admitted to the King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh on 27 May 2005 for unspecified medical tests.[51] An official (who insisted on anonymity) told the Associated Press unofficially that the king had died at 7:30 EDT on 1 August 2005. King Fahd was 84.[52] Official statement was announced on state television at 10:00 am by then information minister Iyad Madani.[52]

Funeral

King Fahd was buried in the last thawb (traditional Arab robe) he wore. Fahd’s body was carried to Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque, and funeral prayers were held at around 3:30pm local time (12:30 GMT) on 2 August.[52] The prayers for the late monarch were led by the Kingdom’s grand mufti, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh.

The "funeral prayer", during which worshipers remain standing, was performed after afternoon prayers. The ceremony was replicated in other mosques across the Kingdom, where the "prayers for the absentee" were held.

The body was carried by King Fahd's son, Abdul Aziz bin Fahd to the mosque and to the Al Oud cemetery some two kilometres away, a public cemetery where Fahd’s four predecessors and other members of the Al Saud ruling family are buried.[53][54]

Arab and Muslim dignitaries who attended the funeral were not present at the burial. Only ruling family members and Saudi citizens were on hand as the body was lowered into the grave.

Muslim leaders offered condolences at the mosque, while other foreign dignitaries and leaders who came after the funeral paid their respects at the royal court.

In accordance with regulations and social traditions, Saudi Arabia declared a national mourning period of three days during which all offices were closed. Government offices remained closed for the rest of the week.[52] The state flag was not lowered (since the flag of Saudi Arabia bears the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, the flag's protocol requires the flag not to be lowered)

After his death, many Arab countries declared mourning periods.[6] Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Syria, Yemen, the Arab League in Cairo, and the Palestinian Authority all declared three-day mourning periods.[6] Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates declared a seven-day mourning period and ordered all flags flown at half-staff.[55] In Jordan, a national three-day mourning period was declared and a 40-day mourning period was decreed at the Royal Court.

Many foreign dignitaries attended the funeral, such as US Vice President Dick Cheney, French President Jacques Chirac, King Juan Carlos of Spain, Prince Charles of the United Kingdom, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Singapore Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, and President of Mauritania Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya (under deposition).

Awards

Royal Victorian Chain.[56][57]

Istiglal Order (7 March 2005)[58]

In 1984, King Fahd received the Faisal Prize for Service to Islam awarded by the King Faisal Foundation.[59]

Ancestry

Family of Fahd of Saudi Arabia
16. Turki bin Abdullah bin Muhammad
8. Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud
17. Hia bint Hamad bin Ali Al Faqih Angari Tamimi
4. Abdul Rahman bin Faisal
18. Mishari ibn Abdul-Rahman
9. Sarah bint Mishari bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Saud
2. Abdulaziz ibn Saud
20. Mohammed bin Turki bin Suleiman Al Sudairi
10. Ahmed Al Kabir bin Mohammed bin Turki Al Sudairi
5.Sarah bint Ahmed Al Kabir bin Mohammed Al Sudairi
1. Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
24. Ahmed Al Kabir bin Mohammed bin Turki Al Sudairi (= 10)
12. Muhammed bin Ahmed Al Kabir Al Sudairi
6. Ahmed bin Muhammed Al Sudairi
3. Hassa bint Ahmed Al Sudairi
28. Mohammed Al Suwaidi
14. Ali bin Mohammed Al Suwaidi
7. Sharifa bint Ali bin Mohammed Al Suwaidi

References

  1. ^ "Riyadh. The capital of monotheism" (PDF). Business and Finance Group. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  2. ^ Bernard Reich (1990). Political leaders of the contemporary Middle East and North Africa: a biographical dictionary. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 528. ISBN 978-0-313-26213-5. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  3. ^ Mouline, Nabil (April–June 2012). "Power and generational transition in Saudi Arabia" (PDF). Critique Internationale. 46: 1–22. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  4. ^ Winberg Chai (22 September 2005). Saudi Arabia: A Modern Reader. University Press. p. 193. ISBN 978-0-88093-859-4. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  5. ^ a b "King Fahd". The Telegraph. 2 August 2005. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d "King Fahd Brought Vision of Progress". Aramco ExPats. Riyadh. 5 August 2005.
  7. ^ a b c Allen, Robin (1 August 2005). "Obituary: King Fahd - A forceful but flawed ruler". Financial Times. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  8. ^ a b "Biography of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud". Babnet. 1 August 2005. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Fahad played pivotal role in development". Daily Gulf News. 2 August 2005. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  10. ^ "The Political Leadership - King Fahd". APS Review Gas Market Trends. 29 November 1999. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
  11. ^ "Saudi Foreign Policy". Saudi Embassy Magazine. Fall 2001. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  12. ^ "King Fahd - his first 20 years". Saudi Arabia. 18 (4). Washington DC, US: Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. Winter 2002. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  13. ^ "King Fahd 1923-2005:". Washington DC, US: Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 1 August 2005. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  14. ^ "Educational system in Saudi Arabia" (PDF). Ministry of Higher Education. 2006. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  15. ^ a b c Sicherman, Harvey (August 2005). "King Fahd's Saudi Arabia". American Diplomacy. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  16. ^ Nadav Safran (1985). Saudi Arabia: The Ceaseless Quest for Security. Cornell University Press. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-8014-9484-0. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  17. ^ a b c Henderson, Simon (1994). "After King Fahd" (Policy Paper). Washington Institute. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
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Fahd of Saudi Arabia
Born: 1923 Died: 2005
Regnal titles
Preceded by King of Saudi Arabia
13 June 1982 – 1 August 2005 		Succeeded by
Saudi Arabian royalty
Preceded by Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia
1975 – 13 June 1982 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by
First to hold office
 Minister of Education
1954–1962 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Interior
1962–1975 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia
1982–2005 		Succeeded by

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