My father, Mohammed bin Nasser bin Mufayrij—one of the early educators, still living today, and a graduate of the College of Sharia in Riyadh, the nucleus of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University—told me that upon the graduation of the first class of this college in 1377 AH, His Majesty King Saud, may God have mercy on him, delivered the following speech. This is its text:
“Honorable professors and dear students,
I do not consider it a secret to say that Sheikh Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al‑Sheikh complained to me about the shortage of scholars and judges in this country. Our views aligned on the need to establish these institutes and colleges, whose fruits we see today. I informed Sheikh Mohammed bin Ibrahim that the salaries of the professors and the stipends of the students would be paid from my personal funds. I ask Almighty God to make these institutes and colleges beneficial. God is the One sought for help; He is our sufficiency and the best disposer of affairs.”
These foundations laid by His Majesty King Saud—and before him his great father, the founder—reflect the breadth of his vision and the sharpness of his insight. The kings who followed continued on this noble path.
May God protect our country from all harm.
Fahd bin Mohammed bin Nasser Al‑Mufayrij
1419 AH