“My beloved people,”
“I greet you with the greeting of Islam. On this day, as we bid farewell to the second year and welcome the third since I assumed the responsibilities of leadership in this dear Kingdom, I find it my duty to raise my heart sincerely to God — praising Him and thanking Him for the abundant blessings He has bestowed upon us: the comprehensive security we enjoy, and the success He has granted us in doing all that lies within our power for the welfare of our country and our people, and for the benefit of the Arabs and Muslims.”
“Without God’s grace and guidance, we would not have been able to pass through these stages of reform and continuous work for the good of our nation.”
Achievements in the Holy Cities and National Development
“By God’s favor, we were able to expand the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, initiate the expansion of the Sacred Mosque in Mecca, open roads between cities and villages, bring forth water resources, improve agriculture, facilitate work opportunities, develop trade, and ease the means of livelihood for our people.”
“We organized medical services, built hospitals and clinics, and established religious and scientific institutes, schools, and colleges across the country. We fulfilled our duty in caring for the afflicted and supporting the weak.”
“We worked in every field to revitalize and organize the government apparatus, establishing the Council of Ministers to oversee the administration of the nation’s affairs.”
“We prepared a national budget that balanced income and expenditure, while maintaining a reserve for emergencies. Many major development projects lie ahead for the prosperity and advancement of the country.”
“God’s blessings upon us are too many to count, and our duty is to show gratitude and seek more of His bounty.”
A Call to Piety and Responsibility
“I find it my duty to advise myself and my people to fear God, to be mindful of Him in private and public, to adhere to His commandments and avoid His prohibitions — for this brings His pleasure and His support.”
“We have striven to reform our country with all available means, and this has not prevented us from pursuing effective political action for the benefit of the Arabs — strengthening their unity.”
Arab Cooperation and Defense
“We concluded with our sister Egypt — in addition to our existing political and economic ties — a military agreement that strengthened Arab defense against any aggression, complementing the military pact between Egypt and Syria. Our efforts with our sister Syria have also been sincere and positive.”
The al‑Buraimi Crisis
“You are aware of the treacherous aggression committed by the British government against our borders and its sudden occupation of the al‑Buraimi region without warning. We had honored our commitments under the arbitration agreement, yet they violated it repeatedly through pressure, force, and intimidation of the inhabitants.”
“Their motives became clear: they could not bend us to serve their colonial and military ambitions, which contradict the interests of our country and of Muslims and Arabs. They invited us to join their alliances and follow their lead, but we refused — choosing instead to stand firmly with Arab and Islamic interests.”
“Thus they plotted this aggression against us, as God says: ‘They resented them only because they believed in God, the Almighty, the Praiseworthy.’”
A Reminder of Past Loyalty
“We cannot fail to mention what we did for the British during the world war: we opened our land to them, supported them with all we could, and exposed ourselves to danger — though we possessed neither anti‑aircraft guns nor fighter planes. We did this out of loyalty and honor.”
“Their reward for our friendship was to violate our sovereignty and attack our land — all while claiming to uphold peace and the principles of the United Nations.”
“We call upon the British people to reflect on the truth, to question the false accusations made by their government, and to compare them with the actions taken against us.”
“We accepted arbitration — though we had insisted on a referendum — seeking an honorable and peaceful solution. We still accept arbitration if the situation in al‑Buraimi is restored to what it was before the treacherous attack.”
Determination to Defend the Nation
“I was deeply moved by the enthusiasm, loyalty, and readiness for sacrifice shown by our people in the face of this aggression. By God’s will and strength, we shall restore our full rights, exhausting all peaceful means to achieve our goals.”
“We will act in every field to repel aggression from our land with all the strength we possess.”
The Palestinian Cause
“The continued attacks by the Jews on the Arab lands bordering Palestine have strengthened our resolve to prepare for any assistance required should the situation escalate.”
Closing Prayer
“I ask God to grant us and you His guidance and support, to unite our word with that of our Arab and Muslim brothers for our collective honor, and to protect us all from aggression.”
“Peace be upon you and God’s mercy.”
Rabi‘ al‑Awwal 1375 AH — November 1955