DAMMAM, 2 August 2005 — Top businessmen and executives extolled the achievements of King Fahd after the initial shock of hearing the sad demise of King Fahd.
Abdallah S. Jum’ah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Aramco: “It is with deep regret and sadness that we learned of the passing of King Fahd. On behalf of all of the employees of Saudi Aramco, I would like to express our sincere condolences. For more than two decades, Saudi Aramco benefited greatly from King Fahd’s unwavering support and was guided by his ambitious vision for the nation’s petroleum industry. Under his stewardship, Saudi Aramco experienced tremendous development and growth as a company, further enhancing our ability to contribute to the prosperity of the Kingdom and the well-being of its people. We join the rest of the nation in mourning the passing of this wise leader and great statesman, and in pledging our allegiance to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.”
Hamed A. Al-Zamil, President, Zamil Holding Group, Alkhobar: “This is a very sad day. King Fahd did an excellent job. He kept the country together during difficult times and moved this nation forward through decades of great change. Now we will be led by another wise man. It is certain King Abdullah will continue down the same strong development path.”
Khalid A. Al-Abdulkarim, President, Naizak Board Member Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce & Industry (EPCCI), Alkhobar: “The news today was a shock for the entire Arab world. We all had believed King Fahd’s health was improving. King Fahd was a great man with so many accomplishments. Personally, I believe his diplomatic skill was best shown in the signing of the Taif Agreement, which ended so much bloodshed. It should not be forgotten as well that as Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques he has given good guidance and outstanding service to the Muslim world. We have seen that King Abdullah is already taking utmost care of the Kingdom’s needs. This gives us confidence that further prosperity and stability lie ahead for Saudi Arabia.”
Yasin Bakhsh, Chairman, EJADA: “We lost a compassionate, magnanimous and a fair king who taught us that leadership is all about opening the heart. King Fahd was a leader who inspired us and proved that leadership is all about human experiences. He was a great king who fulfilled the final test of a leader by leaving behind in his people the confidence and certainty to carry on. King Fahd has led and directed the development of the country into a prominent member of the international political and economic scene. He completed the astonishing expansion projects of the Two Holy Mosques, making himself the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. We pray to Allah that his soul may rest in peace.”
Vincenzo Nesci, Vice-President, Alcatel Middle East, Egypt: “King Fahd was a leading statesman of the world and his wisdom and exceptional intelligence were a source of strength, peace and stability in the Middle East. In his death, the Muslim people and the Arab world have lost a father figure who was always keen not only on the development of his country, but also the welfare of the entire region.”
