JEDDAH, 6 May 2007 — Prince Abdul Majeed’s personality was such that while he welcomed modernism he was also one to adhere to traditions. The huge developmental projects undertook by him in Madinah and Makkah, while he was governor of the two holy cities, are testimony to this interesting aspect of his personality.
Mishaal Al-Harithy, who recently wrote a book about the prince’s achievements, said: “The prince strove hard to serve the two holy cities by developing them and was motivated by a deep desire to help people.”
In fact, Al-Harithy hoped to present the book, entitled “Prince Abdul Majeed ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Saud’s Achievements on the Road to Development and Progress,” to the prince once he returns from abroad after treatment but Almighty Allah willed otherwise.
The 144-page book is a testimony to the achievements of an administrator who loved his country and his religion.
Commenting on the special distinction of being the governor of the holiest two cities in the world, Abdullah Al-Fayez, undersecretary of the Makkah governorate, who worked with the prince during his tenures as governor in both Makkah and Madinah, said, “Almighty Allah willed that Prince Abdul Majeed become the governor of both the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.”
The prince, who was born in 1943, was the 33rd son of the late King Abdul Aziz. He was 11 years old when his illustrious father passed away. After completing a study of religious disciplines in the Kingdom, the prince traveled to London to continue his education.
“Prince Abdul Majeed was always concerned about the welfare of all sections of the general public. He was a friend of the people and his weekly councils were attended by people from different walks of life,” said Chairman of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Saleh Al-Turki, who was a regular visitor to the weekly meetings at the governor’s palace.
Al-Turki added, “His demise is not only a loss to Jeddah and Makkah but to the entire country. He was an outstanding man in every respect. He loved his country and his people. His responsibility never stood in the way of his meeting people and being acquainted with their problems. Prince Abdul Majeed loved the people and the people loved him.”
According to Al-Harithy, Prince Abdul Majeed followed an open-door policy. People from all segments of society flocked to his weekly councils to present their grievances to him. The councils were held in Jeddah on every Sunday and in Makkah every Monday. He was keen to find solutions for their problems, the author said.
The prince was the chairman of the Haj Central Committee, which comprised several sub-committees that deal with the services related to millions of pilgrims every year. He was also chair of the Provincial Council of Makkah besides the Higher Commission for the Development of Makkah. He acted as the honorary president of 22 charitable, social, health, education and economic organizations.
The book narrates the efforts of the prince to complete the expansion and development of Madinah, particularly the Prophet’s Mosque, with an aim of making things easier for pilgrims and visitors.
The book also refers to the efforts of the prince to develop Makkah, particularly the giant projects in the central region. He was also concerned with the development of other regions in the province and founded the Jeddah Holding Company for the development of the city with a number of infrastructure projects. He strove to develop Taif with increased investments in tourism and utility projects.
The founding of the Prince Abdul Majeed Center for Children with Special Needs in Jeddah speaks loudly of the humanitarian concerns of the prince.
