Princess Fahda bint Saud bin Abdulaziz in an interview with Al‑Jazirah:
The King Saud Website Is a Historical Reference and an Information Bank for Researchers
By: Mona Al‑Sharif – Jeddah
Princess Fahda bint Saud calls for focusing on priorities, safeguarding Islamic and Arab identity, and urges women to remain aware and vigilant in the face of the challenges directed at them, warning against being swept into the unknown. She expresses a strong sense of responsibility toward national issues. Many Saudi women view her as a role model—an example of strength, intelligence, and integrity—and have described her as the princess who warmed their hearts through her many supportive stances. She is an active observer of global events in pursuit of truth and service to the nation. As President of the Al‑Faisaliyah Women’s Charitable Society, Her Royal Highness Princess Fahda bint Saud bin Abdulaziz spoke in this engaging interview about the first website she established dedicated to King Saud—may God have mercy on him—as well as the photographic book on his life and several issues related to Saudi society.
The King Saud Website
• What were the motivations and objectives behind establishing the King Saud website (www.kingsaud.org)?
“The need preceded the idea.”
Creating the King Saud website arose from an urgent need to provide a historical reference for researchers and those interested in the life of King Saud—may God have mercy on him. It was also intended to serve as an information bank for the younger generation in our beloved country, enabling them to learn about an important yet neglected period in the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Providing accurate information and accessible references also supported researchers participating in the King Saud Symposium. What motivated me personally was that my own attempts to find reliable information about my father’s history online were disappointing; the internet was filled with inaccuracies and distortions of his legacy and of the Kingdom’s history during that era—an era inseparable from his life. For this reason, I resolved to work seriously on establishing a website that would serve as a scholarly reference and the nucleus of an information center on King Saud’s history for researchers and the world at large.
• How long did the website take to develop, from design to implementation?
Three months. The support of my brothers and sisters—the sons and daughters of King Saud—and of the grandchildren played a major role in launching the site. I must also acknowledge the loyal friends who believed in the project and supported me throughout.
• Who designed the website and selected its colors?
Several design proposals were presented by the site’s general supervisor, Mr. Hassan Shahwan. Although they were creative, I was looking for something different—something new that reflected the personality of the website’s subject. Eventually, I arrived at the idea of using the image of the Kiswa (the covering of the Kaaba), a symbol of Islam. Islam is the foundation upon which this great nation was built, and the first Kiswa factory was established during King Saud’s reign. Therefore, I chose to feature images of the Kiswa in the internal sections of the site, with each color representing a specific historical period.
• Was the website publicly announced, and for how long?
Yes, it was announced for a period of one and a half months.
• Did the website receive many visitors? Were the numbers expected?
Yes, the site received a large number of visitors—far exceeding my expectations. In the four months since its launch, it has been visited by nearly six million users from 396 different countries.
• How many photographs are available on the website, and is the collection complete?
We currently have more than 4,500 photographs, with additional images expected soon, God willing. This section will be launched shortly, as we are undertaking the challenging task of identifying and contextualizing each photograph, given that they serve as historical documents supporting the events of the period.
My work with the Turath Foundation, along with the support of the renowned Brazilian photographer Humberto da Silveira over the past four years, greatly enriched the site’s photographic archive. Together, we produced a historical photographic book on the life of King Saud—may God have mercy on him. The project was funded by His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, which enabled us to publish the book in a distinguished form. It was launched during the King Saud Symposium and its accompanying exhibition.
Follow‑up and Public Response
• Have you received feedback on this project?
Yes. We receive numerous calls from researchers and interested individuals seeking information and references. We have also received many encouraging messages and additional materials that enriched the website. Several corrections were sent to us regarding previously published information, as the history of King Saud remains scattered and insufficiently documented, despite his eleven‑year reign as King of Saudi Arabia. Much work remains before we can fully document his history.
• What are the documentation stages that the website goes through?
“I begin my daily work on the website in the morning, and the work continues with the team until six o’clock. However, my own work extends into the evening. During official working hours, coordination is carried out by phone with Mr. Hassan Shahwan, the website’s supervisor. I read the references, classify them, and send them for printing. After they are copied, I review them a second time, then send them to the company’s specialized department for linguistic and spelling revision. After that, they are uploaded to the website by Mr. Shahwan, whose dedication and patience I must acknowledge.
We are currently in the process of transitioning the website to a new system called a Content Management System (CMS), which will allow me to directly edit or add information. This will greatly streamline the workflow.”
• The website contains a rich historical record. How was the journey of collecting information and documents?
“It was not easy. As I mentioned, the entire process of gathering materials took eight years—a very demanding effort. I faced many obstacles, especially when collecting information about King Saud within the Kingdom. I searched for magazines, newspapers, books, and documents in the Heritage Market at the old airport in Jeddah, in Aswaq Al‑Deira in Riyadh, and in old markets in Al‑Ahsa, Hail, Najran, and many other regions. I found much of what I was looking for, but I also encountered difficulties, including the high cost and scarcity of items related to King Saud’s history.”
• Which countries did you visit or find references and documents about King Saud in?
“I visited Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, and the United Kingdom. I also contacted the relevant archival authorities in Britain and the United States to obtain documents they hold. Indeed, I was able to acquire many of them, especially since such materials become accessible to researchers after a certain period and are often published in books. This greatly facilitates research and access to information.”
• Were you surprised by information you did not previously know while gathering these materials?
“There were many things I did not know about my father—may God have mercy on him—such as the extent of his charitable donations inside and outside the Kingdom, his humanitarian contributions to Arab and Islamic countries, his political positions supporting Islamic and Arab causes, and his extensive correspondence. There are still many things I have not yet discovered. What the website contains so far represents only a very small portion of King Saud’s rich history, and I am still at the beginning of my research journey.”
• What motivated you to divide King Saud’s history into detailed stages—such as ‘the son,’ ‘the warrior,’ ‘the Crown Prince,’ and finally ‘the King’?
“His achievements and his great aspirations for developing his country were shaped throughout his life—through the battles he fought alongside his father, King Abdulaziz, and through his vision and participation in the unification of the Kingdom during its formative years. Therefore, I divided his history into stages to highlight the characteristics of each phase.
For example, the ‘Son’ stage refers to the period in which he worked under the command of his father, King Abdulaziz. He spent 17 years—from 1915 until the unification of the Kingdom in 1932—participating in the campaigns that began in 1902 when King Abdulaziz entered Riyadh.
Then came the ‘Crown Prince’ stage, which lasted 20 years. During this period, the Kingdom witnessed the peak of oil discovery and the beginning of economic reliance on it, along with the establishment of political, financial, and commercial systems and vital infrastructure.
Finally, he assumed the throne at the age of fifty‑one. The results of the achievements initiated during his father’s reign became evident—achievements based on King Abdulaziz’s forward‑looking vision for the Kingdom, which King Saud carried forward. He laid the foundations of national infrastructure, expanded education, announced the beginning of formal schooling for girls, and implemented major expansion projects for the Two Holy Mosques. After him, his brothers, the sons of King Abdulaziz, continued this path up to our present time under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah—may God preserve him.”
His Grief Over Princess Munirah
• How do you feel when you hear King Saud’s words about Princess Munirah bint Abdulaziz—“My arm has been severed”—upon her passing?
“I feel the strength of the Muslim and Arab woman who believed in her mission and used her position to fulfill her duty alongside the men in her life—her father, brother, and husband—striving to achieve noble goals in service of her nation without relinquishing the core elements of her strength: her faith and her deeply rooted Arab identity, qualities that have become rare today. For all these reasons, men relied on women for their status and support, even in political and military matters.
The greatest example is Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman, upon whom King Abdulaziz relied during the unification of the Kingdom, proudly declaring, ‘I am Noura’s brother.’ Princess Munirah bint Abdulaziz played a similar role with her brother, King Saud, though under different circumstances. His reliance on her was evident in many responsibilities; he valued her counsel, and she was truly his right hand. When the right arm is severed, what happens? The body loses its strength. He meant that he had lost his support, and this is what King Saud intended when he said he had lost his arm. His grief for her was profound, and her passing affected him deeply.”
• Do you believe that King Saud’s childhood played a role in shaping his astute and seasoned character?
“Without a doubt. For a child of thirteen to assume responsibility in war alongside his father—especially when his father, King Abdulaziz, was the greatest statesman of the twentieth century and the unifier of the Kingdom, and when his son Saud was his right hand, as attested by Arab and foreign historians and eyewitnesses—such a childhood did not merely refine King Saud’s character; it formed it.”
• Many believe that princesses live lives of luxury and pay little attention to education or professional work. Yet history shows that the first role models in girls’ education in the Kingdom were the daughters of King Saud. What is your comment?
“These are documented historical facts. However, as I mentioned earlier, the disappearance of the historical record of that era prevented this role from being recognized. Moreover, the developmental role of Saudi women has been obscured due to the lack of documentation, despite being honorable, impactful, and transformative for society. This applies not only to the royal family but to society as a whole. Many pioneering Saudi women excelled in their fields and contributed significantly, yet little attention was given to them. Media gaps and the absence of verified information are among the main reasons.
I believe the history of Saudi women who laid the foundations for women’s work must be studied. Few know that the daughters of King Saud were the first princesses to work and enter the public sphere. Princess Hussa bint Saud served as Secretary-General of Mabarrat Al‑Karimat in Riyadh, established in 1956, working alongside her sister Princess Noura bint Saud—the eldest daughter—who was its first president, and Princess Modhi bint Saud, who served as her deputy.
There was also Madrasat Al‑Karimat, founded in 1951, which began as a school for King Saud’s daughters before girls from Riyadh joined once their families became convinced of the idea. These two schools were the first girls’ schools in Najd, accompanied by Mabarrat King Abdulaziz (1956), inaugurated by Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz. These three institutions highlighted the need for girls’ education due to the increasing number of applicants, prompting families to demand more schools. This was precisely what King Saud intended when he opened the door for his daughters to study so they could become role models for others. This ultimately led to the royal decree establishing girls’ education in 1960—a historic turning point in the educational journey of Saudi women.”
Photographs of King Saud
• From the website to the photographic biography of King Saud—how did the idea emerge?
“I received a proposal from the Brazilian photographer Humberto da Silveira, through my brother Prince Mu’tasim bin Saud, to create a book compiling photographs of King Saud. It was a demanding project that took four years. I must thank Prince Abdulaziz bin Fahd for his generous sponsorship of the publication. My brother Prince Mohammed bin Saud played a major role in overcoming many challenges through his supervision, and my brother Prince Mishal bin Saud also contributed significantly. I must also acknowledge the efforts of the King Abdulaziz Foundation, led by Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz at the time, and Secretary-General Dr. Fahd Al‑Samari, as well as the Turath Foundation for publishing the book.”
• What is your opinion of the book?
“There is still a shortage of information presented. King Saud’s history does not belong to him alone; it belongs to the people. Let us leave it to them to judge him through his deeds and positions, may God have mercy on him.”
• It was said in women’s circles that Princess Fahda delivered a powerful message to the American Consul on the reality of women in our society during International Women’s Day, and that your words deeply resonated with Saudi women. What is your comment?
“Dr. Suhair Al‑Qurashi, Dean of Dar Al‑Hekma College, invited me to deliver a speech on International Women’s Day. As an Arab Muslim woman living through one of the most challenging periods for the Arab and Islamic world, I felt it my duty to shed light on the image that reflects my identity and the identity of women in Saudi society.
I delivered my speech in the presence of the American Consul, whose role naturally involves asserting her perspective. My speech expressed our reality, our emotions, the challenges we face, and how we can reach our goals—namely, the steadfastness of the Saudi Muslim woman amid societal changes, but through our vision, shaped by our experiences and cultural and religious background. These foundations—our upbringing, values, and beliefs—have shaped our perspectives.
I presented this vision as an expression of our own will, as we see it and want it for ourselves—not as others want it for us. I conveyed this message clearly: they have their narrative and perspective, and we have ours regarding our reality and our future. That is all that happened.”
Saudi Women
• How do you view Saudi women today?
“Every society develops according to the foundations upon which it was built and the goals it set for itself. What I see today is that many matters have been rushed—and what is cooked too quickly burns.
As a Muslim society, we know that Islam granted and preserved the rights of women, but some of these rights were not applied. This opened a window through which the West insisted that women in our society are deprived of their rights. Because some women are unaware of their rights in Islam, many were swept away by slogans whose aims and intentions they did not understand.
We must ask ourselves: how can we believe that someone who claims to give us our rights as women is, with the other hand, taking away our right to live freely? I call upon women—and society as a whole—to be aware of who is a friend and who is an adversary, and to preserve the positive values of our society, such as family cohesion. If we lose these foundations, they will be difficult to recover.
Yes, women have rights, and we must provide them with work opportunities and open new fields for them. Saudi women have reached high levels of education, but they still need more cultural depth—because culture is something else entirely. Culture and awareness are two elements we lack; they require self‑knowledge shaped by past experiences and awareness of the present so we can plan for the future of our great nation.
Awareness is essential now, in this critical moment in our history. I do not see it sufficiently, and that concerns me. Our success as a cohesive society—men and women alike—is a religious and national duty. We are now developing based on the experiences of others, and this will create a rift in the complementary relationship between men and women, ultimately harming the family.
When God created humanity, He created affection, mercy, justice, and balance. But we have drifted away from Islam and its teachings. When society disrupts the balance God established, all other balances collapse—including the relationship between the human being and the Creator. This is what we see in other societies.
The foundations of the Islamic society were built on raising women’s awareness of the challenges around them so they can protect themselves, their children, their community, and their nation—not by isolating them, but by giving them clear frameworks and tools. Our distinct identity—rooted in our land, our geography as the home of the Two Holy Mosques, and our deep history—is a reality, whether we like it or not.”
• In your view, what role should families and society play in addressing these issues and preventing them?
“We must teach this generation its history and identity, help clarify its goals, and prepare it for leadership roles. Then we must give them opportunities to move forward in the right way. It is saddening that we can no longer distinguish between Arab and Western youth, even in their aspirations. This generation has lost its role models—and that is not their fault. We must restore confidence to this lost generation, because it was we who lost our balance, and the consequences fell upon them.”
• What message do you seek to convey to people?
“The challenge is great in confronting the so‑called ‘creative chaos’ that the West spreads among us in various fields. What I observe is that we have fallen under the influence of this intellectual chaos that has infiltrated our societies, causing everyone to move in different directions at a time when we must be united in our goals, focused on our priorities and realities. Our destiny is one, and Islam has given us the solutions to overcome these difficulties—otherwise, our unity will fracture.”