JEDDAH, 22 November 2006 — Riyadh Governor Prince Salman will launch a well-documented and illustrated book by Princess Fahda bint Saud on the life of her father, King Saud. The launch will take place at the National Museum in King Abdul Aziz Historical Center in Riyadh on Sunday.
Baha Governor Prince Muhammad, one of the sons of King Saud, invited officials, intellectuals, writers and others who are interested in history to take part in the event, which includes a pictorial exhibition featuring the life and achievements of Saud who ruled the Kingdom from 1953 to 1964.
“We have already sent invitations to ministers and prominent Islamic scholars, intellectuals and writers to attend the launch of the book which is entitled ‘Saud,’” said Princess Fahda. The book launch will be on the sidelines of a seminar on the late king organized by King Abdul Aziz Foundation for Research & Archives (Darah). The seminar will be attended by a number of historians and researchers.
Princess Fahda said the book and the exhibition contained rare pictures of King Saud retouched by the famous Brazilian photographer Humberto da Silveira. Al-Turath Establishment is the publisher of the book which highlights the contributions made by King Saud toward building the state and developing its agencies and institutions.
“The exhibition will remain open for 45 days in order to enable everybody to find out more about one of the important phases in the Kingdom’s history that served as a springboard to greater progress and prosperity,” she said. “I have used all sources, including foreign ones, in the preparation of this book,” she said.
The life of King Saud, who ascended the throne in 1953 upon the death of King Abdul Aziz, is closely linked to the Kingdom’s history and the early stages of its development. The book gives a picture of King Saud’s official and private life from his youth until his death.
“I wrote this book as my duty to the nation,” said Princess Fahda who is considered one of the leading researchers on the life of King Saud. She announced plans to establish a charitable foundation in the name of her late father. “We, the sons and daughters of King Saud, intend to establish a charity in his name. We’ll start work on the project soon after this seminar and exhibition,” she explained.
Princess Fahda is now working on setting up a documentation center on King Saud which will have archives of the king with pictures, documents and newspaper cuttings. She has already established a website on the late king (www.kingsaud.net/english).
“I started recording the history of King Saud when I learned that many people in the younger generation are ignorant of his life and history,” she said.
Princess Fahda got her first opportunity to speak about King Saud’s life during the centennial conference held in Riyadh in 1999 when she presented a brief history of the king. She has also written a number of articles on King Saud in local newspapers.
While commending the efforts made by King Abdul Aziz, the founder, and his sons Saud, Faisal, Khaled and Fahd in Saudi Arabia’s development, Princess Fahda hoped that the country would achieve even greater progress and prosperity under the reign of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan.
Princess Fahda announced plans to organize a special ceremony for women on Dec. 2, adding that it would be opened by Princess Nouf bint Abdul Aziz. Invitations will be sent to princesses and women academics and writers, she added. She thanked Prince Salman and Princess Nouf for their participation and attendance. She also praised Darah for making necessary arrangements for the seminar. “We consider Prince Salman our father and appreciate his care and kindness,” she said.
