Eid al‑Fitr Ceremonies from the Era of King Abdulaziz

 

By Dr. Abdulrahman Al‑Hammoudi

Dr. Abdulrahman Al‑Hammoudi explains that during the reigns of King Abdulaziz, King Saud, and King Faisal—may God have mercy on them—the Eid al‑Fitr ceremonies were similar in form. The Eid prayer was performed at the Eid Mosque in Riyadh, and after the prayer and sermon, the King would walk on foot from the mosque to Qasr al‑Hukm, passing through King Abdulaziz Street (Al‑Thumairi). There, His Majesty would receive Eid greetings from princes, senior scholars, ministers, and high‑ranking civil and military officials. After the greeting ceremony, the King would visit senior scholars and prominent members of the royal family in their homes to offer Eid congratulations. (Eid banquets were held at Qasr al‑Hukm for those who wished to attend.) [1]

Dr. Al‑Hammoudi recounts that when he joined the Royal Protocol on 1 Sha‘ban 1384 AH, he would arrive at the Eid Mosque after dawn prayer—before sunrise—to be present for the arrival of the King and the princes. Shortly after sunrise, King Faisal—may God have mercy on him—would arrive at the mosque in Al‑Qari. After the prayer and sermon, the King would walk on foot, followed by princes and ministers, from the mosque to Qasr al‑Hukm, passing through the southern part of King Faisal Street (Al‑Wazir) and King Abdulaziz Street (Al‑Thumairi). At the entrance to Al‑Safat Square, horses and National Guard personnel would line the path all the way to the palace. The King would then receive Eid greetings from princes, scholars, ministers, senior civil and military officials, and leading figures of the country. After the ceremony, Eid banquets were opened at Qasr al‑Hukm for those who wished to attend. The King would then visit the elders of the royal family, the Grand Mufti Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Al‑Sheikh, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al‑Shathri, and Minister Shalhoub ibn Saleh Shalhoub in their homes, before returning to his private residence to receive Eid greetings from his family and children. [2]

Dr. Al‑Hammoudi recounts a notable incident from the first day of Eid in 1392 AH. The head of the Royal Protocol, Ahmad Abdulwahhab, asked him to come to the Royal Court after ‘Asr—an unusual request, since staff normally did not return to their offices until the second day of Eid. When he arrived about an hour before sunset, Sheikh Abdulaziz ibn Baz arrived at the Royal Court to greet the King. Dr. Al‑Hammoudi welcomed him and seated him in the waiting hall. When the head of protocol was delayed, he feared keeping the Sheikh waiting, so he wrote a note to the King informing him of the Sheikh’s presence. Entering the King’s office, he was surprised to find His Majesty—on Eid day—working at his desk, with Minister Saleh Al‑‘Abbad beside him presenting official documents for review and signature. Not wishing to interrupt, he handed the note to Al‑‘Abbad, who presented it to the King. The King looked up and asked, “Where is the Sheikh?” Upon learning he was in the hall, the King said, “Let him come in.” The King rose from his desk, welcomed the Sheikh, and sat beside him. Dr. Al‑Hammoudi left astonished, saying to himself: “Subhan Allah—on Eid day, and the King is at his desk performing official duties!”

During the reign of King Khalid—may God have mercy on him—His Majesty would spend Ramadan in Taif, perform the Eid prayer at the Eid Mosque there, then proceed by car to his palace in Al‑Khalidiyyah. He would receive Eid greetings from princes, scholars, ministers, senior Royal Court officials, high‑ranking civil and military leaders, and prominent figures. Afterwards, the King and attendees would proceed to the Eid banquet. The King would then visit senior members of the royal family residing in Taif to offer Eid greetings.

In 1401 AH, King Khalid built a palace on Mount Abu Qubais in Makkah overlooking the Holy Mosque. It included a prayer hall with a direct view of the Kaaba and worshippers below, and loudspeakers connected to the Haram. In the last ten days of Ramadan, the King traveled to Makkah, accompanied by Dr. Al‑Hammoudi and other protocol staff. Dr. Al‑Hammoudi would attend the palace after iftar and Maghrib prayer in the Haram. After several days, the King noticed and asked, “Al‑Hammoudi, you break your fast in the Haram?” He replied, “Yes, Your Majesty.” The King responded, “All of Makkah is Haram.” [3]

Dr. Nasser Al‑Rasheed, whose office designed and supervised the palace’s construction, recounts that on the second day after the King’s arrival, he was summoned from Jeddah to Makkah. Worried that something might be wrong, he entered the palace anxiously. The King greeted him warmly and said, “May God reward you and brighten your face. You have fulfilled a wish I held in my heart—to see this Sacred House from here.” [4]

On the last night of Ramadan, when Eid was announced, King Khalid departed for Taif. As Dr. Al‑Hammoudi stood among the well‑wishers, the King said, “If God grants me life until next year, I will fast the entire month of Ramadan in Makkah.” But he passed away on 21 Sha‘ban 1402 AH in Taif.

During the reign of King Fahd—may God preserve him—His Majesty followed the tradition of King Khalid. In the early years of his rule, he spent Ramadan in Taif. After the Eid prayer at the Eid Mosque, he would proceed to Qasr Al‑‘Aqiq to receive Eid greetings from princes, scholars, ministers, senior Royal Court officials, high‑ranking civil and military leaders, and prominent figures, who would then join him for the Eid banquet. Afterward, the King would spend two weeks in Jeddah before returning to Taif, and later to Jeddah before Hajj to oversee the service of the pilgrims.

From 1408 AH onward, King Fahd adopted the practice of arriving from Riyadh to Makkah in mid‑Ramadan to spend the remainder of the month at Qasr Al‑Safa overlooking the Haram (adjacent to King Khalid’s palace on Mount Abu Qubais). After the Eid prayer at Qasr Al‑Safa, he would proceed to Qasr Umm Al‑Jud to receive Eid greetings and share the Eid banquet, then travel to Jeddah.

In 1410 AH, a separate building was constructed next to Qasr Al‑Safa for the Royal Court, including an Eid mosque, a large reception hall, and a dining hall accommodating around one thousand people. From that time onward, King Fahd received distinguished guests arriving in Makkah during Ramadan, hosted weekly iftar gatherings for citizens, and welcomed Eid well‑wishers who shared the Eid banquet with him at the Royal Court building in Qasr Al‑Safa. After the Eid reception, he would travel to Jeddah. [5]

Dr. Al‑Hammoudi notes that similar Eid ceremonies exist in other Arab countries. For example, in the United Arab Emirates, once Eid is announced, the President performs the Eid prayer at the Eid Mosque, then proceeds to the Presidential Palace to receive well‑wishers. Public institutions and schools close for the duration of the holiday. [6]

Many Arab and Islamic countries follow comparable traditions. Eid al‑Adha ceremonies, however, often differ significantly. Typically, the King, President, or Emir receives senior well‑wishers, offering refreshments and sweets. In some Gulf states, princes, ministers, officials, and prominent figures share the Eid lunch with the ruler. In certain countries, traditional dances are performed as expressions of joy.

From his book: Saudi Diplomacy and Protocol