After the Efforts of King Saud’s Daughters to Document a Crucial Historical Era…
Saudi Women Reclaim the Early Memory of Their Educational Renaissance
Author:
Can women reshape history?
This question naturally arises when observing the efforts of Their Royal Highnesses the princesses — daughters of the Founder King Abdulaziz Al Saud, daughters of the second king of the modern Saudi state, King Saud, and daughters of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz, the first Minister of Education, and finally the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. These efforts were recently highlighted through the attendance of his consort, Princess Hussa bint Turad Al‑Shaalan, at the launch ceremony of the book “Photographic Biography of King Saud” and its accompanying exhibition at the National Museum in the King Abdulaziz Historical Center, under the patronage of Princess Nouf bint Abdulaziz.
The scene in the museum’s grand hall on the second night of this month was striking — filled with more than 800 women and girls of all ages. The event drew educators, academics, school administrators, media professionals, prominent women in society, and wives of ambassadors. On that night, the collective memory of Saudi women revived the beginnings of the female educational renaissance, thanks to the dedicated efforts of King Saud’s daughters in documenting a long‑neglected historical era, including Princess Fahda’s role in compiling the photographic biography.
The purpose of the event was not merely to showcase the book and its exhibition. What astonished attendees was the display of more than 50 personal belongings of King Saud — including a model of the crown he gifted to any woman who bore him a daughter, while women who bore him sons received a pistol, which each child kept for life. His iconic eyeglasses, cane, sword, dagger, chairs, and headband (‘iqal) were also displayed — items shown to the public for the first time. Princess Latifa bint Saud collected these pieces from the King’s sons and daughters for exhibition.
The Struggle of Documentation
Before the exhibition opened, Princess Fahda bint Saud — a specialist in political science — participated in the Scientific Symposium on the History of King Saud, held last November. She presented a study titled “Documenting the History of King Saud bin Abdulaziz,” in which she expressed the difficulties she faced during her research.
She told Al‑Hayat:
“This is due to the scarcity of documents related to King Saud’s reign in Saudi libraries and institutions. Writing about his history is one of the most difficult research endeavors in modern Arab history because of the absence of documents that prove his Arab, Islamic, and international positions during his 11‑year reign — including correspondence with presidents and kings, treaties with Arab and foreign states, and the lack of documentation from his 20 years as Crown Prince, as well as earlier periods during which he fought alongside his father King Abdulaziz, accompanied by correspondence with tribal leaders documenting his role as a knight, commander, and ruler of Najd.”
She added that she was unable to document his correspondence with his father, which prevented her from demonstrating the depth of trust between them. She noted that British archives remain the most comprehensive historical source for the region.
Princess Fahda explained that many Saudi documents are either inaccessible or unavailable — including official letters, decrees, and orders held by the National Center of the Council of Ministers, the Riyadh Governorate, the Sharia Court, the Ministry of Finance archives, and various ministries since their establishment.
She emphasized that films, photographs, and audio recordings held by the Ministry of Information — as well as official publications documenting internal projects and achievements during King Saud’s reign — were not available to her.
“They were withdrawn,” she said, “and the Ministry of Information must make them accessible again.”
She described the immense difficulty she faced in collecting photographs for the book due to the Ministry’s refusal to assist. The photographic biography was completed only through the cooperation of many individuals and institutions. She lamented the loss of valuable documents that would have enriched national history, noting that researchers often face the excuse that accessing historical documents might reveal “classified information.”
The Early Stages of the Educational Renaissance
Princess Sita bint Saud told Al‑Hayat that she and her sisters were raised by a father passionate about knowledge:
“He insisted on educating us. We, his sons and daughters, were among the first in the Kingdom to receive formal education. Our teachers regularly submitted reports on our academic progress, and every year he rewarded those who excelled.”
She added:
“He dedicated time to attend our annual graduation celebrations, accompanied by Crown Prince Faisal. Those events were like Eid for us — we prepared songs and theatrical performances.”
Three of King Saud’s daughters played a pivotal role in transforming girls’ education in Saudi Arabia, with the King’s full support. They were:
- Princess Noura bint Saud — President of Mabarrat al‑Karīmat,
- Princess Modhi bint Saud — Vice President,
- Princess Hussa bint Saud — Secretary‑General and supervisor.
They were the first Saudi women to hold official positions dedicated to advancing girls’ education.
To clarify misconceptions about societal rejection of girls’ education, Princess Fahda explained:
“As with any new social issue, there were those who demanded more school capacity for their daughters — which encouraged the King to approve the establishment of Mabarrat al‑Karīmat outside the Nasiriyyah Palace. The objections arose because of this expansion.”
The school began in 1951 with 13 students in Qasr al‑Murabba‘. By 1956, enrollment had reached 480 students, necessitating a move to a new building in Nasiriyyah. The school was renamed Ma‘had al‑Karīmat, and on Tuesday, 7–8–1376 AH (March 9, 1957), King Saud inaugurated Mabarrat Karīmat al‑Malik Saud.
Threats Against Princess Hussa
Princess Fahda recounted:
“In the first year, my sister Hussa faced resistance from some families who refused to educate their daughters. She received threatening letters demanding the closure of the school. They even took their objections to King Saud. But his firm belief in girls’ education led him to stand by his daughters and support their pioneering step, which encouraged them to continue.”
A year later, acceptance began to grow. Enrollment reached 50 students, prompting another move to a larger building. Prince Fahd bin Abdulaziz, then Minister of Education, supported the school and provided the necessary curricula. Soon, enrollment rose to 220 students, confirming that society was divided between opponents and supporters.
Princess Fahda noted that Princess Hussa still preserves documents and letters from that period.
To ease public concerns, it was said at the time that the school served orphans — though in reality, daughters of the royal family studied and graduated there. The school continued until it was incorporated into the General Presidency for Girls’ Education and renamed the 16th Primary School in al‑Murabba‘.
The Establishment of the General Presidency for Girls’ Education
On Friday, 21 Rabi‘ al‑Akhir 1379 AH, newspapers announced the creation of the General Presidency for Girls’ Education. A royal decree followed in 1380 AH (1960) to open girls’ schools across the Kingdom.
Some cities in Najd resisted, delaying the opening of schools — such as Buraidah, where a delegation visited Grand Mufti Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Al‑Sheikh in 1381 AH (1961) to demand that no girls’ schools be opened. He replied:
“Whoever objects may present his case directly to the King.”
They then went to King Saud’s palace in Dhahran, where he was visiting, and camped south of Riyadh. They sent envoys to Crown Prince Faisal, who declined to meet them and instead sent Ibn Ghashiyan with a message:
“Opening girls’ schools is a directive from His Majesty King Saud. Whoever does not wish to enroll his daughters is free not to do so.”
Hearing this, they returned to Buraidah. Their objections soon faded, and the first girls’ school opened there in 1382 AH (1962), according to Dr. Fawzia Al‑Bakr’s study on Saudi women and education.
Higher Education
King Saud University opened its doors to Saudi women through part‑time enrollment in 1381–1382 AH. Full‑time enrollment began in 1394 AH. The first nursing school was established in 1380 AH.
A remarkable letter sent to King Saud by Saudi female students studying in Egypt at their families’ expense requested equal treatment with male scholarship students. They wrote:
“Your Majesty, you laid the foundations of the women’s renaissance in our country by establishing the first girls’ schools. We hope these will be followed by secondary schools and colleges so that girls will no longer need to study abroad. With your generosity and care for your people, we ask you — O father of the nation — to grant us scholarships just like our male colleagues in Cairo.”