The Scholarly Symposium on the History of King Saud

On the Occasion of the Scholarly Symposium on the History of King Saud – Books, Articles, Reports, and Photographs About King Saud
By: Muhammad bin Abdullah Al‑Hamdān

My brother, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al‑Haidari, informed me about this symposium, and I later read news of it in several newspapers shortly before it was held. On Sunday, 5‑11‑1427 AH, I reviewed in our newspapers the program of the symposium’s activities, which consisted of sixteen sessions.

I then returned to the indexes of my own library and that of Qays, and found seventy‑seven entries related to King Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, ranging from books and articles to reports and photographs. I wished to contribute to the symposium’s activities by presenting this detailed list:

1. Al‑Musawwar (Egyptian magazine): A photo‑report on his meeting with Al‑Qutli and Al‑Ayyubi and his visit to Syria; five illustrated pages (issue without cover).
2. Al‑Musawwar: Large color photographs of King Saud on the cover (special issue on the Kingdom), documenting his visit to Egypt, with photos of him praying, presiding over the Council of Ministers, shaking hands with Muhammad Naguib, and surrounded by his young sons, along with an article by President Muhammad Naguib.
3. A map of the United States of America showing Crown Prince Saud’s tour during his visit in January 1947: Washington, New York, Columbus, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, etc.
4. Al‑Madinah Al‑Munawwarah Magazine (Egyptian, 9‑1375 AH): Cover photo of King Saud during his visit to Egypt and meeting with President Gamal Abdel Nasser, with a commemorative article and two verses printed beneath his portrait.
5. Al‑Hilal Magazine, March 1956: Cover photo of the King and an article by Anwar Al‑Sadat titled “The Falcon of the Peninsula: Saud as I Saw Him” (four illustrated pages).
6. Al‑Hilal, May 1957: Cover photo and an article titled “Saud, the Arab King as I Saw Him” by Egyptian Minister of Awqaf Ahmad Al‑Baqouri.
7. Al‑Musawwar: Color cover photo of the King; page 11: “Egypt Congratulates the Kingdom on King Saud’s Accession Anniversary”; page 41: congratulatory messages.
8. Al‑Qāhira Newspaper, 16‑3‑1374 AH: Front‑page headline “King Saud’s Accession Anniversary”; an article by Crown Prince Faisal titled “My Brother, King Saud”; front‑page photos of the King in prostration and in military attire receiving the Saudi military mission; additional articles and photos inside.
9. Akhir Sa‘a Magazine, Issue 995 (18‑11‑1953): Photos of King Saud with Gamal Abdel Nasser; the King’s address to his people; allegiance delegations; a message from Eisenhower.
10. A printed address by King Saud to his people on the first anniversary of his accession, with his portrait.
11. Al‑Ahram: Special issue on the Kingdom with a color cover photo of King Saud, flanked by images of the Holy Mosques (Shawwal 1374 AH).
12. Al‑Hilal: (Issue without cover) an article titled “The Democratic King” on the occasion of his visit to Egypt.
13. Al‑Hilal (Shawwal 1373 AH): Article by Egyptian Minister Fathi Darwan on three personalities he admired, including King Saud.
14. ARAMCO, 1961: Two rare photographs of King Saud.
15. Book: The Saudi Government Railway and Dammam Port (February 1952): 32 pages, including a rare photo of King Saud holding the device used by King Abdulaziz to inaugurate the railway.
16. ARAMCO Annual Report, 1951: 60 pages in Arabic and 60 in English, each section headed by a color photo of King Abdulaziz with a large, clear color photo of King Saud beside him.
17. Al‑Ithnayn wa‑Al‑Dunya Magazine, 17 Rajab 1373 AH: Color cover photo of King Saud titled “The Monarch of Arabia, Guest of Egypt”; articles by Habib Jamati and Fouad Shakir; multiple photos of the King during official events.
18. Sarkhat Al‑Arab Magazine, Issue 6 (July 1955): Cover photo of King Saud smiling beside Gamal Abdel Nasser in military uniform, captioned “An Unbreakable Union”; articles and photos inside.
19. Rābitat Al‑Shabāb Magazine (Egyptian): Color illustration of King Saud on the cover; page 6: celebration of the first anniversary of his accession.
20. Al‑Ithnayn wa‑Al‑Dunya, 2 Sha‘ban 1373 AH: Photo of King Saud with President Muhammad Naguib in military attire.
21. Al‑Ithnayn wa‑Al‑Dunya, 24‑7‑1373 AH: Multiple photos documenting the King’s activities in Egypt, including his visit to Al‑Tahira Palace and meetings with officials.
22. Akhir Sa‘a Magazine: Enlarged photo of King Saud with the caption “The Saudi Monarch Fulfills His Dearest Wish”; coverage of the expansion of the Holy Mosque in Mecca.
23. Al‑Sabāh Magazine, Issue 1517 (25‑3‑1375 AH): Color cover photo of King Saud; interior articles on the second anniversary of his accession and correspondence with Gamal Abdel Nasser.
24. Sawt Al‑‘Urūba Magazine, Jumada I 1379 AH: Cover photo of King Saud; interior pages celebrating his role in Arab nationalism.
    25–27. Rare photographs of King Saud, including one from his time as Crown Prince and another with the President of Lebanon.
25. Book: “His Majesty King Saud and the Two Holy Mosques,” Vol. 1 – The Prophet’s Mosque: 80 pages with color photos of King Saud and Prince Faisal.