Professor Izzat Khattab, former Professor of English Literature at King Saud University, recounts:
“King Saud was keen to attend the lectures delivered by the University President or the Dean of the College of Arts. The university would contact the Royal Diwan to inform the King of the dates of these lectures.”
By: Muhammad bin Abdulrazzaq Al‑Qash‘ami
On the occasion of the exhibition on the life of His Majesty King Saud bin Abdulaziz—may God have mercy on him—held in Manama, I am pleased to recount some of what I remember from the early years of his reign in 1373 AH / 1954 CE. Before these memories fade, it is fitting to record what remains of them, especially as more than half a century has passed.
I was a young boy, no more than eight years old, holding my father’s hand as he sought the way to offer condolences on the passing of the founding King, Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman—may God have mercy on him. After leaving King Abdulaziz’s palace in Al‑Murabba‘, where my father had offered condolences to Princess Hussa bint Ahmed Al‑Sudairi, mother of King Fahd—may God have mercy on them all—we walked back to Qasr Al‑Hukm in central Riyadh (Al‑Sufaat), where King Saud received mourners and those pledging allegiance.
After my father greeted him and kissed his forehead, I extended my hand. The King grasped it, and I was struck by the sheer size of his hand—larger than any I had ever seen. I could not reach his head to kiss it, and that moment remained vivid in my memory for many years.
It is also fitting to recall what I heard from Professor Izzat Khattab, the first Saudi academic to join King Saud University after its opening in 1378 AH, returning from Cairo with a bachelor’s degree in English literature. At that time, the Dean of the College of Arts was Dr. Mustafa Al‑Saqa, and the University President at its founding in 1377/1378 AH (1957/1958 CE) was the eminent scholar Dr. Abdulwahhab Azzam.
Professor Khattab told me that King Saud was keen to attend the lectures delivered by the University President or the Dean of the College of Arts—the first college to open at the university, alongside the Colleges of Agriculture and Commerce. The university administration would contact the Royal Diwan to inform the King of the lecture schedule. King Saud—may God have mercy on him—was eager to listen to historical and literary lectures.
A carpet would be laid out for him at the front of the lecture hall, with chairs arranged upon it. The King would arrive with his motorcade, the royal anthem would be played, and the announcer—Bakr Younis at the time—would introduce the lecture, saying:
“After the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an, here is the teaching assistant Izzat Khattab to introduce the lecturer.”
This introduction angered Dr. Khattab, as he was a professor, not a student. Nevertheless, I mention this anecdote in honor of the exhibition and as a reminder of the noble qualities of this humane leader who gave what he could to his nation within the means available at the time.
Acts of Generosity and Personal Stories
I also recall hearing from Abdulrahman bin Saeed, founder of the Olympic Club in Riyadh (later Al‑Hilal), that he worked at the Royal Diwan. One day, his supervisor—responsible for presenting documents to the King—was ill, so bin Saeed had to present them himself. One document was incomplete, which angered King Saud, who reprimanded him.
The next morning, as the King received visitors at Qasr Al‑Hukm, a tribal leader gifted him his palace. The King accepted it and compensated the man as customary. He then asked for the young employee he had reprimanded the previous day, greeted him, and handed him the keys to the palace, saying:
“This is yours.”
That palace became the first headquarters of Al‑Hilal Club, where players gathered before training. It was later sold for about 20,000 riyals to support the club.
Generosity Toward Citizens
I remember that when King Saud left Qasr Al‑Hukm at noon, heading home or elsewhere, crowds gathered along the road, praying for him. He would take money from his pocket and toss it to the people, who scrambled to catch it.
Soon after assuming the throne, he toured the Kingdom, including my hometown Al‑Zulfi. Residents lined both sides of the road—men standing, women seated with their children. One of his attendants distributed 20 riyals to each man, 15 to each woman, and 10 for each child.
Support for Girls’ Education
At the beginning of girls’ education, King Saud personally attended the opening of the national exhibition of girls’ schoolwork. Al‑Qassim Newspaper (Issue 73, 24 Dhu al‑Qa‘dah 1380 / 9 May 1961) reported:
“His Majesty reviewed the first achievements of female students in sewing, embroidery, weaving, and home management. It was a remarkable exhibition promising a bright future for Saudi girls.”
Visit to Bahrain
In Sawt Al‑Bahrain magazine (1369–1373 AH), a detailed account of King Saud’s visit to Bahrain in his first year of rule appears. In Issue 7, Ramadan 1373 AH, page 64:
“His Majesty told his brother, His Highness Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, that the ties between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were strong and must be strengthened. He reiterated his earlier proposal to build a bridge between Al‑Khobar and Bahrain, affirming the Kingdom’s readiness to contribute significantly to its cost.”
He added:
“Arab consciousness is rising, and Arab peoples are now alert. It is our duty to understand this, for we are shepherds, and every shepherd is responsible for his flock.”
Commitment to the Arabic Language
When the Emir of Kuwait, Abdullah Al‑Salem Al‑Sabah, visited Riyadh, a football match was held in his honor between Al‑Shabab and Al‑Olympi. Upon hearing the name “Olympi,” King Saud summoned its president, Abdulrahman bin Saeed, and asked:
“Why choose such a foreign name? Has Arabic become barren?”
This led to the club being renamed Al‑Hilal.
Cultural and Literary Patronage
King Saud had a deep interest in culture and literature. According to Al‑Bilad Al‑Saudiyya newspaper, literary salons began in the Royal Diwan in 1376 AH / 1957 CE, attended by the King and Prince Fahd (later King Fahd). Prominent speakers included:
- Khairuddin Al‑Zarkali
- Poet Ahmad Qandil
- Abdullah Bilkhair
- Muhammad Surur Al‑Sabban
- Abdulaziz Al‑Maymani
- Sharif Sharaf Ridha
- Ibrahim Fudah
- Ahmad Ubayd
- Ahmad Ibrahim Al‑Ghazzawi
- Abdulquddus Al‑Ansari
- Mamdouh Al‑Adib
- Major General Ali Jamil
- Editor‑in‑Chief Fouad Shakir
Al‑Bilad dedicated a special column titled “Literary Symposium” beginning with Issue 2473 (13 Dhu al‑Qa‘dah 1376 AH / 11 June 1957).