Three weeks after returning from Iraq, His Majesty King Saud undertook an official visit to the sister nation of Jordan, responding to the invitation of his brother, His Majesty King Hussein. Jordan at that time was passing through a turbulent and critical period.
His Majesty boarded his private aircraft early on Saturday morning, 10 Dhul‑Qa‘dah 1376 AH (8 June 1957), accompanied by his entourage and members of the Jordanian Honor Delegation, bound for Amman—the stronghold of King Hussein.
All of Amman turned out to welcome him, and indeed all of Jordan greeted him with cheers, warmth, and heartfelt hospitality. King Hussein, members of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister, ministers, scholars, government officials, and leading figures of the nation received him with a magnificent and enthusiastic welcome at Amman Airport.
Although the formal protocols of state hospitality were observed, the prevailing spirit of the visit far exceeded official ceremony. It was marked by genuine affection, natural friendship, and the strength of Arab and Islamic bonds.
The Guest Palace where His Majesty resided overflowed with well‑wishers from all walks of life. Jordanian newspapers praised the profound spirit of Islamic brotherhood that shone between the Saudi and Jordanian monarchs, publishing articles extolling King Saud as a symbol of Arab unity and a central pillar of its cause.
Thus, His Majesty’s days in Jordan were bright with hope and filled with success.
Nothing reflects this more clearly than the statements, speeches, and telegrams exchanged between the two great monarchs.
His Majesty King Saud’s Address to the Jordanian People
“As I depart the sister nation of Jordan, I send to its noble people—across all classes—my gratitude and appreciation for the heartfelt sentiments, the magnificent welcome, and the enthusiasm with which I was received wherever I went in this Arab land.
It is no surprise to witness such feelings from the valiant Jordanian people, who struggle for their homeland, the first fortress of the Arab world.
My heart has been filled with confidence in the future by what I have seen of the spirit of cooperation between the Jordanian people, their government, and their courageous army, relying on God and on their loyalty and steadfast support for their King in the most difficult of days.
I pray that God preserves Jordan’s unity and solidarity. The dangers facing Jordan—and the Arab nation behind it—cannot be overcome except through cohesion, mutual support, and standing as one in these critical times.
It is a source of pride to record the noble stance taken by my brother King Hussein, standing firmly with his army and people, supported by all Arabs, in Arabizing the Jordanian Army and freeing Jordan from the foreign constraints once imposed upon it, while preserving its Arab, liberation‑oriented policy in safeguarding its independence and national identity.
I ask God to preserve Jordan’s unity and dignity under its King, cooperating with his Arab brothers in all that elevates their status and strengthens their unity and independence.”
Joint Communiqué
The Directorate General of Broadcasting, Press, and Publication issued the following statement:
In the Name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
In response to the invitation of His Majesty King Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Majesty King Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia paid an official visit to his brother from Saturday, 10 Dhul‑Qa‘dah 1376 AH (8 June 1957) until Thursday, 15 Dhul‑Qa‘dah 1376 AH (13 June 1957).
The two monarchs reviewed developments in the international and Arab situation since their meeting in Riyadh on 29 Ramadan 1376 AH (29 April 1957). They found themselves in full agreement in supporting the principles established during that meeting and reaffirmed at the Cairo Conference on 27 Rajab 1376 AH (27 February 1957). Accordingly, they declared the following:
- To work toward securing complete independence, free from all foreign control, and guaranteeing full sovereignty for all Arab countries.
- To affirm their determination to defend the independence of their nations, preserve the spiritual heritage of the Arab and Islamic peoples, and resist all foreign interference and threats.
- To strengthen military cooperation among the four Arab states for defense against the common enemy, in accordance with existing agreements, and to support the full Arab rights in Palestine and intensify efforts to achieve the aspirations of the Arab nation in this usurped land.
- To uphold the policy of positive neutrality and refrain from joining any foreign alliances, regardless of their form or origin. Defense of Arab lands must rely on Arab states themselves and arise from their own defensive capabilities.
- To support Arab nations still under colonial rule in attaining freedom, independence, and sovereignty in accordance with the United Nations Charter.
- To affirm the right of all nations to self‑determination and to support the Algerian people in their heroic struggle against French colonialism until they achieve freedom and independence.
- To reaffirm adherence to the Arab League Charter, the United Nations Charter, the Arab Collective Security Pact, the Bandung Conference resolutions, the Arab Solidarity Agreement, and the resolutions of the Cairo Summit of 27 Rajab 1376 AH.
- To declare that the Gulf of Aqaba is entirely Arab territorial waters, subject to full Arab sovereignty, and that neither Israel nor any other party has any rights in it. They reject any claim treating it as an international passage and affirm their determination to defend Arab sovereignty over the Gulf in cooperation with all Arab states.
- To express their firm intention to continue efforts to restore and repair the Hijaz Railway to Medina, recognizing its vital importance to the Islamic world.
- To emphasize the importance of economic cooperation and encourage joint Saudi‑Jordanian investment in economic projects, with both governments to study and negotiate agreements in this regard.
- To affirm their commitment to strengthening Arab unity and preserving the spirit of fraternity among Arab nations, relying on God and on the awareness of the Arab peoples who seek only to live in peace, united and free from foreign domination.
Telegram from His Majesty King Saud to His Majesty King Hussein
“As I depart the sister nation of Jordan, I extend my deepest thanks to Your Majesty, your government, and your people for the magnificent welcome I received during my visit to Your Majesty and to the brotherly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
The noble spirit of affection and sincere brotherhood that I encountered from Your Majesty, and the heartfelt love and loyalty expressed by the Jordanian people, left a profound impact on me, for it was a sentiment that sprang from the depths of their hearts—an honest expression of the cooperation and solidarity that bind us in safeguarding the entity of our Arab homeland.
My heart was filled with joy at the enthusiasm of the Jordanian Army and its readiness to defend the first fortress of Arabism, and its willingness to sacrifice in this noble cause. My happiness increased as I witnessed the unity of the Jordanian people around Your Majesty, and the cooperation between the government, the people, and the army—which is itself part of the people—in undertaking the mission of defending the Arab nation, united under Your Majesty’s leadership.
All my hopes rest on the belief that our joint efforts, and those of Your Majesty, will bear fruit—God willing—in unifying the Arab word and fostering harmony and goodwill among all Arab states, in a manner that preserves their dignity, safeguards their independence, and protects their honor.
I pray to Almighty God to guide and assist us all, and to unite our ranks in the service of Islam and the Arabs. He is All‑Hearing and Responsive.”
Signed: Saud
Reply from His Majesty King Hussein to His Majesty King Saud
“We received with deep gratitude and sincere appreciation Your Majesty’s gracious telegram upon your return to your sister kingdom.
Your noble visit to Jordan was an opportunity for the steadfast and struggling people of this country to express to Your Majesty the depth of their love, admiration, and pride in Your Majesty’s honorable and brotherly stance.
This appreciation springs from loyal hearts, committed to their struggle, their mission, and their Arab identity, and proud to stand on the front line of defense for Arab lands and Arab dignity.
The sincere emotions Your Majesty witnessed are but a modest expression of the profound feelings the Jordanian people hold toward Your Majesty, and of their recognition of the noble support you extended to us when the forces of destruction and darkness conspired against Jordan—forces driven by foreign hands that know nothing of Arab rights or Arab honor.
These hands, manipulated by the new colonialism that seeks to enslave the Arabs and strip them of their dignity, attempted to undermine our sovereignty and independence. They sought to erase the gains of our long struggle and to replace one form of colonialism with another.
Your Majesty strengthened our resolve against these malicious forces, and praise be to God who granted us the determination to thwart their schemes.
In this critical moment, Your Majesty’s noble support and the lofty spirit of Arab brotherhood shone brightly—qualities that are among Your Majesty’s finest virtues.
Jordan, which Your Majesty graciously described as the first fortress of Arabism, is honored to remain forever the rock upon which the conspiracies of tyrants and corrupters are shattered. Jordan will always defend Arab nationalism, not as the conspirators falsely claim, but as a sacred duty rooted in our faith, our Arab identity, and our holy land.
May God preserve Your Majesty, prolong your life, grant you strength, and guide us all to what serves the good of Islam and the Arabs.
With sincere wishes for happiness and prosperity to Your Majesty, the royal princes, and your noble nation.”
Signed: Hussein
Joint Saudi–Jordanian Statement on the Pilgrimage Route via Aqaba
“During the royal visit of His Majesty King Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to his brother His Majesty King Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, one of the matters thoroughly discussed was the situation of Muslim pilgrims traveling by sea from the Port of Aqaba to Jeddah.
Given that the current situation in the Gulf of Aqaba is unsafe due to Israeli aggression in this Arab gulf—facilitated by the presence of international forces that enable Israel’s freedom of navigation in these Arab territorial waters—and given that ensuring the safety and comfort of pilgrims is among the foremost concerns of His Majesty the King of Saudi Arabia, shared fully by His Majesty the King of Jordan,
And since both sides believe that sea travel from Aqaba through the Gulf exposes pilgrims to danger,
The two governments have therefore decided, based on the above considerations, to announce to all concerned that travel by sea from the Port of Aqaba for the purpose of pilgrimage is not advisable.
The two governments have agreed to take the necessary measures to implement this decision.”
Issued on 13 Dhul‑Qa‘dah 1376 AH / 11 June 1957 CE