King Saud—may God have mercy on him—made a visit to the town of Al‑Sha‘rā’ on Thursday, 12/5/1374 AH, corresponding to January 6, 1954. Everyone rushed to welcome him with warmth and celebration, and joy filled the hearts of the townspeople. A large reception tent was prepared for His Majesty, and at the forefront of those receiving him was the Amir of Al‑Sha‘rā’, Prince Saad bin Abdullah bin Saad Al‑Mas‘oud, along with the dignitaries and notable figures of the town. It was a day the people of Al‑Sha‘rā’ proudly remembered, and they organized a reception befitting His Majesty.
The ceremony began with verses from the Holy Qur’an recited by the student Mushri‘ bin Maqbool Al‑Hamrani. Then came the speech of the people of Al‑Sha‘rā’, delivered by Abdullah bin Saad bin Abdullah Al‑Mas‘oud, followed by a speech from Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al‑‘Aifan on behalf of Al‑Sha‘rā’ School.
Poetry, as always, refused to be absent from such a grand occasion. Saeed bin Abdullah bin Junaidel recited an Arabic poem welcoming His Majesty. After that, the students of Al‑Sha‘rā’ Primary School performed welcoming chants and had the honor of greeting the King personally. The Najdi ‘Ardah was then performed as the final segment of the celebration, and His Majesty participated in the dance. The sung poem used in the ‘Ardah was written by Saeed bin Abdullah bin Junaidel, and included the following lines:
(The long Nabati poem is preserved in Arabic as it is a poetic text.)
The classical Arabic poem recited by Saeed bin Junaidel before His Majesty included:
(The full classical poem is preserved in Arabic as a poetic text.)
Many other welcoming poems were composed but not recited due to time constraints and the King’s scheduled commitments. The poets expressed with sincerity their love and loyalty to their leader and the architect of their nation’s progress—something not unusual for them.
Among the poets who composed welcoming verses were:
Saad bin Abdullah bin Junaidel
Welcome to you, our King—
as countless as the rain that pours from generous clouds.
Our eyes find comfort, and our hearts grow still,
as your splendid procession arrives in radiant glory.
Welcome to the noble lineage
that planted seeds of goodness among its people and protected them.
You came with seeds that blossomed into flowers,
and whoever plants virtue reaps its harvest.
A ruler of justice, triumph, and generosity—
a raincloud whose giving never fades.
A falcon of noble leadership,
raised by God to soar high in the heavens.
When he spread his wings and rose,
he overcame every foe that wished him harm.
How many enemies tasted bitterness
until their steps faltered before his resolve.
A falcon victorious over all who oppose him,
a bird of fortune blessed by God.
Your rule—may it endure—anchors the law
and strengthens the nation’s honor.
You are the pride of your people;
your reign united what division once scattered.
I thank God, and one like you deserves thanks—
He granted you a kingdom He was pleased to entrust.
He fortified it and kept enemies at bay;
none but you could rise to such heights.
You raised its banner, bright as the moon,
with deeds that protect and honor its land.
Leader of glory, your fortune never falters;
your people stand strong beneath your unifying staff.
Smile, and hold fast to the One who supports you—
your house was built for greatness and ascends by it.
Your might melts stone,
and your kindness softens the hearts of those you shelter.
Whomever you break in battle cannot be mended,
and whomever you mend becomes stronger by your hand.
And beside you stands the Crown Prince, Faisal—
a man whose wisdom and success are granted by God.
His deeds are known and honored;
neither you nor your people forget them.
Every son of Al Saud is a shining lion—
men of judgment, courage, and noble lineage.
O Saud, joy fills this age;
under your rule the nation sings.
Even if we sang for a whole month in your shade,
we could not contain your praise.
Your glory has no end,
and the sky itself bears your name.
May God prolong your life and strengthen your reign,
and drive your enemies far from your path.
See the youth rising in obedience,
knowing no life except in your honor.
Your elders stand before you with pride,
their faces lit by your presence.
We are all your people, proud to follow you,
and you are the shepherd who raises the banner high.
We are your soldiers in times of danger,
and with God’s help you overcome every foe.
History itself bears witness—
generation after generation reading your legacy.
And peace be upon the Prophet,
and upon his companions and all who follow his guidance.
The Classical Poem Recited by Saad bin Junaidel:
The path you lead has shone with your light,
and the nation you guide has risen in honor through you.
The throne you ascended gained new splendor,
its ancient glory renewed by your presence.
O son of kings, you received the mantle of rule
with the resolve of a sovereign of noble lineage.
You took it with strength and worthiness,
your arm empowered by God Himself.
You filled the land with justice,
and its horizons brightened with the light of God’s Book,
its noble purposes raised high.
You sent knowledge across the kingdom,
its institutions shining like stars in the night.
You labored for it until its foundations stood firm,
and built upon truth a promise fulfilled.
You raised it as a mighty fortress,
its scenes adorned with renewal and progress.
Its walls were bound with firm resolve,
its security crafted with precision.
You led it forward, its light ascending
to touch the orbits of the stars.
History glowed with the march of a just ruler—
a man of noble character whose virtues cannot be counted.
Through you, every Muslim found comfort and healing,
and the schemes of enemies were turned back upon them.
My soul is your ransom, O king
whom hearts behold with awe
and whose generosity fills the world.
I devote myself to you, pride of the Arabs—
my love for you spoken by every witness.
You are the protector of Islam and the Arabs,
a raincloud whose blessings cannot be measured.
Welcome to the love of hearts and their longing,
to the joy of a nation you lead to greatness.
It follows you with loyalty and contentment,
its beliefs drawn to you in sincerity.
O Abu Fahd, finest of rulers—
a rank no father before you ever reached.
Your generosity touches every living soul,
your clouds shower blessings on all.
Blessed is the throne whose pride is you,
its ancient glory upheld by your hand.
Every nightingale sings in its gardens,
and poets find sweetness in praising you.
Live long, your glory towering,
your enemies humbled by what you build.
May your eyes rest in honor,
while your enviers lie sleepless on thorns.
Many welcoming poems were composed for the occasion, but they were not recited during the ceremony due to limited time and His Majesty’s other scheduled commitments.
Yet the poets expressed, through their sincere words, the deep affection and loyalty they hold for the leader of their nation’s renaissance and their beloved King—something that has always been characteristic of them.
Among the poets who composed these welcoming verses was:
The poet Saad bin Mohammed Al‑Yahya:
Welcome to our leader, Saud, on the day he arrived—
a welcome as abundant as the heavy rainclouds.
As the winds of blessing swept across the land,
hear my greeting to the King, O all who listen.
A ruler whose light shines across the kingdom,
and we shine in his presence, O gathered people.
His radiance rises like the full moon in mid‑month,
and the whole peninsula follows its glow.
A ruler of justice unmatched by any man,
standing upon truth, seeking God’s aid.
We walk by his command when he commands,
ready and certain in all he decrees.
Gentle to friends, stern to foes—
harsh to the enemy, soft to the companion.
Whoever shows hostility meets rugged mountains,
until his spear breaks and his enmity fades.
Every bone he strikes is shattered,
and whoever he breaks remains broken for years.
His rule over the kingdom is pure and clear,
a blessing for all who live under its shade.
A blessing that calls for gratitude and praise—
under his protection we live in safety and peace.
Then came the Crown Prince, Faisal—
a man of insight, aware of the schemes of traitors.
If he sees corruption in a tribe, he does not hesitate;
his polished sword humbles the arrogant.
Every descendant of Saud the First is honored,
standing for truth and the law of God.
I remember God and ask Him—
as leaves grow upon trees—
to grant victory to Al Saud,
a victory of faith and obedience.
And I end my words with prayers
upon the Prophet,
whose path reveals the truth.
And the poet Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al‑Mansour also composed a welcoming poem in honor of His Majesty King Saud:
Welcome to you, our noble chief—
we call God as our witness to the love we hold whenever your name is spoken.
We praise the One above the heavens
who blessed us with joy that every eye could see.
In Saud the King, purity of deeds shines bright—
a leader of Islam, supported by loyal soldiers.
They are the people of kingship, past and present,
the guardians of faith, its pillars and its strength.
The whole peninsula—by God’s decree—
lies under their protection,
and all within it is shielded by their might.
From Hadramawt in the far south
to the lands beyond Beirut in the north—
their rule stands firm,
their victory certain by God’s will.
Their enemies tremble at their thunderous charge,
the spark of battle scattering crowds.
When their banners rise from the highlands,
fear and doubt seize their foes.
Their swords flash like lightning,
their spears roar like thunder.
Voices rise in the ‘Awja chant,
and warriors forget death in the heat of battle.
Bodies fall—some broken, some lifeless—
and others are carried away in mourning.
When the dust clears,
birds and wolves feast upon the field.
All this for those who oppose them—
until the enemy’s head bows in submission
before the firmness of their resolve.
They filled Najd with strength,
protected its weak and its widows,
and gave generously to all who sought refuge.
Wherever they passed, the land flourished,
grass sprouting and people thriving.
A blessing seen by both the wise and the simple—
a homeland safe from humiliation.
And my prayers upon the Messenger—
as lightning flashes and rain pours from the clouds.
The poet Abdullah Luwayhan also commented on this visit, saying:
Rejoice, O lands of Al‑‘Ard—
the generous rain has come to you,
watering Daward, Al‑Sha‘rā’, Maz‘al, and Al‑Quway‘iyah.
And at Al‑Ruwaydah, when he turned the twin peaks to his left,
he crossed Al‑Sirdah and descended—
and the journey shifted southward.