RIYADH, 23 November 2005 — In an unprecedented show of support, tens of thousands of Saudis from all over the capital city and adjacent areas thronged Prince Faisal ibn Fahd Stadium here yesterday to accord a grand reception to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to mark his accession to the throne and pledge their allegiance.
In his welcome speech, Riyadh Governor Prince Salman told King Abdullah that all members of the royal family as well as all people of Saudi Arabia would rally behind him. “We pin great hope on you. Your actions in the past foretold of a bright future,” he added.
The Riyadh city houses people from all over the Kingdom, Prince Salman said. “I welcome you to Riyadh on behalf of all of them,” the governor said addressing the king.
All Saudi people love the king and pledge their allegiance to him and the crown prince, he said.
The governor commended King Abdullah for declaring that the Qur’an and Sunnah would remain the constitution of Saudi Arabia. He also underscored the strong relationship between the Saudi leadership and people.
The reception was attended by a large number of princes and high-ranking officials including Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation.
The scent of “bukhoor”, the famous Arabic fume, started to fill the air as people from all over the capital were getting ready to welcome King Abdullah as the moment came for them to embrace him as their new leader.
Prince Faisal ibn Fahd Stadium in Malaz echoed with cheers and applause from the thousands of citizens who thronged the sports facility hours before the king’s arrival.
The ceremony, which was organized by the people of Riyadh, was magnificent. Little children who came along with their parents were raising the king’s photos. Many young and elderly came holding Saudi flags. Some youth even took the opportunity to color their faces with green and white, the two colors of the Saudi flag.
The capital was welcoming its new king. And the joy was felt everywhere. The police band that came to the stadium to play the national anthem began playing famous national songs that got the crowds cheering and singing along.
Preparations for the royal reception were complete many hours before the king’s arrival. Security officers were deployed outside of the stadium to organize the crowds coming in while royal guards were organizing the seating inside.
Folklore bands were doing their final auditions before the king’s arrival on the red carpets placed in the middle of the field.
Some 14,000 Saudis from around the capital and adjacent areas filled the stadium turning its orange seats into green with Saudi flags and posters of King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan.
Moments before the king’s arrival, Riyadh Governor Prince Salman appeared waving to the cheering crowds before taking his place. When King Abdullah entered the stadium there was a sign of indescribable joy as the crowds cheered him.
“The king of hearts” had finally made his return to the heart of the Kingdom.
