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2008 -الملك عبدالله بن عبدالعزيز-

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abd Allah bin Abd Al-Aziz

King Faisal Prize in Service to Islam 2008 Laureate

The Muslim scientist, the defending soldier, the moderate preacher, the hard worker, the righteous judge, and the striving student, all of whom are serving Islam

Nationality: Saudi Arabia
Born: August 1, 1924, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz was awarded the prize for his outstanding services to Islam and Muslims, both within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and abroad. His domestic accomplishments include establishing major economic enterprises, namely: King Abdullah’s Economic City, Financial Center, and Investment Fund to assist persons of limited income; establishing King Abdullah’s University for Science and Technology, and ten other universities; establishing the Saudi Human Rights Commission and Center for National Dialogue; provision of funds for improvement, expansion and services of the two Holy mosques through the allocation of more than ten billion Riyals (more than 2.6 billion USD), and the establishment of King Abdulaziz Endowment, and launching major housing projects for families with limited incomes. His accomplishments overseas include his firm support of Arab and Muslim rights, particularly with regards to the Palestinian problem, persistent efforts to resolve differences among Arabs and Muslims countries, generous support to Arabs Muslims and other communities at the times of need, and continuous pledge to support just peace and rapport among all nations and religions, and to fight terrorism, whatever its source.

 

Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud received formal education in Riyadh schools, and education by a group of Islamic scholars. He supplemented his early education with extensive readings in history, culture, and politics. His close involvement for a long time in the Kingdom’s affairs has gained him a profound experience in administration and politics. He commanded the National Guard in 1962, transforming it into a modern military force as well as a cultural institution involved in preservation of national heritage. He became the Second Deputy premier in 1975, and the First Deputy Premier and Crown Prince in 1980. When King Fahd died in 2005, he succeeded him to the throne.

It was well-known about the King that he was courageous and loves reading and sports, especially horseback riding. He cared for education, talented students, and the connection between authentic heritage and modernism through the yearly Al-Jenadriyah cultural and heritage festival in Riyadh, besides his evident contributions in charity and philanthropy work.

This biography was written in the year the prize was awarded.

  • He established many projects including:
    • King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah in 2009.
    • Al-Haramain High-Speed Railway in 2009.
    • King Abdullah Zamzam Project in 2010.
    • King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Foundation for humanitarian work in 2010.
    • King Abdullah Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in 2012.
  • He received many awards and recognitions including:
    • Order of the Southern Cross from Brazil in 2009.
    • Bronze Wolf Award from the World Scout Committee in 2011.
    • The United Nations Golden Medal in 2012.
    • Excellence Order for the Most Effective Global Figure in 2014.
  • King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz passed away in Riyadh on 23/1/2015.

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