The death of Prince Ahmad was the most shocking news I received since I joined his personal staff.
The prince who was dear to all has left a painful void in our hearts with his departure from our midst.
He was one of the dynamic leaders in the media industry in the Kingdom and will be missed by many. I miss him personally because I have been working for him since my graduation.
Despite his youthful age he was like an affectionate father for everybody in the office, whatever the person’s status.
My boss, a veritable giant in the Arab media, used to show genuine concern about the problems of the staff just as he had an open ear to every disadvantaged person in society, particularly the orphans, the disabled and the sick. He, in his own unique way, tried to lighten the burden of the suffering of those who sought him out as much as he could.
I am saying this as one of his personal staff who had the opportunity to appreciate the unpublicized aspects of his personality.
While managing the largest media empire in the Arab world he always shied away from publicity. He was very particular that personal publicity should be avoided unless it was inescapable.
His orders to us were very strict and clear that none of his countless donations to the charitable institutions inside and outside the Kingdom should be published in strict compliance with the spirit of the verse in the Holy Qur’an “But if you conceal them (acts of charity) and make them reach those really in need, that is best for you. It will remove from you some of your evil. And Allah is well acquainted with what you do.” (Al-Baqara, 271).
I did not believe the heartbreaking news of Prince Ahmad’s death when a colleague told me. I was, at that moment, writing Prince Ahmad’s name on a daily media file that I prepared for him. I continued writing his name and address on the cover of the file while my colleague added that there was no need for the file anymore as his (Prince Ahmad’s) soul had departed to meet its Lord.
This was the last file I prepared for him; it was just a week ago he had thanked me for all the effort I had put into my work. That file is still lying there on my desk and I will take it home. It has become mine now and I will keep it as a treasured token of his memory.
I offer my deep-felt condolences to his grief-stricken father, Riyadh Governor Prince Salman, who has lost two sons in less than a year, his brothers, wife and children.
Allah takes away from us what He has given.
