The Monarchs of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia operates under a monarchy system, characterized by the hereditary transmission of power from one generation to the next. The kingdom has seen a succession of kings since its establishment, starting with King Abdulaziz Al Saud and progressing to the current monarch, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, who ascended to the throne in 2015. This article will focus on his predecessor, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.
King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz
King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman bin Faisal bin Turki Al Saud, also known as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, was the sixth king of Saudi Arabia. Born in 1924 in Riyadh, he was the twelfth son of King Abdulaziz and his wife, Fahda bint Al-Asheer Al-Shammari. King Abdullah received religious education in traditional settings, learning from scholars and religious leaders in mosques and religious schools. Growing up in a royal family, he gained valuable administrative and governance experience from his father, establishing a reign marked by a willingness to engage with other nations and cultures.
Key Milestones in King Abdullah’s Life
- In the early 1960s, King Abdullah entered the political arena, appointed as the head of the National Guard.
- In 1975, he was additionally appointed as the Second Deputy Prime Minister while continuing to lead the National Guard.
- By 1982, he advanced to the role of First Deputy Prime Minister.
- Following King Fahd’s illness in 1995, King Abdullah assumed the administration of the kingdom’s affairs and officially became king in August 2005 after King Fahd’s passing.
Circumstances of His Passing
In his later years, King Abdullah’s health began to decline, suffering from pneumonia. He passed away on January 23, 2015, and the throne subsequently passed to his brother, Salman bin Abdulaziz.