— King Saud
“…It has also come to our attention that many of those whom God has blessed with abundant provision and a life of comfort frequently travel abroad, spending vast sums of money in ways that do not please God…”
— Saud
“…We are in greater need of spending our wealth on reforming our country and establishing companies with our own capital, to undertake great and beneficial works that will lift our nation from its stumble and restore its strength, dignity, and prosperity among nations.”
— Saud
These words are among the foundational principles laid down by His Majesty in his recent address to the people upon his departure from the Holy Land. This speech reveals the depth of His Majesty’s concern for the welfare of the nation and its citizens, and the extent of the progress and prosperity he hopes and wishes for his people. I wish that everyone would read this speech, memorize it, and understand it.
The speech clearly reflects the tenderness and love of this King for his people. It contains lofty hopes, wise counsel, and sincere guidance. It carries promises of care and affection for the righteous reformers, and warnings of punishment for every corrupt wrongdoer. In it, His Majesty lays down the moral and educational foundations upon which this nation must walk. As for the economic foundation, it is evident in the words with which I began this article. In short, whoever reads the speech feels as though it is a message from a father to his children.
Yes, our beloved King, we are in greater need of spending our wealth on reforming our country and establishing companies with our own capital. This is the path—indeed, the constitution—that must be placed before the eyes of those whom God has blessed with abundant wealth. They must understand that His Majesty the King spared no effort—neither as Crown Prince nor after becoming a beloved monarch. He left no means untried in his pursuit of the advancement and well‑being of this land and its people.
These individuals must understand that building great companies and erecting towering buildings must be done here, not there—here, where they were born; here, in the land upon which their children and grandchildren will live and from whose blessings they will eat.
They must realize that the wealth they guard so tightly here—with open eyes and clenched hands—should not be spent there with lowered gaze and open palms.
Large foreign companies are racing to open branches in this country. Why?
For the beauty of our eyes?
For their love of our climate—freezing in winter, scorching in summer?
Of course not—absolutely not.
It is the extraordinary opportunities for profit available in this country—opportunities unmatched anywhere else in the Middle East—that bring these companies, their men, their equipment, and their expertise from the farthest corners of the earth.
I have tried to find explanations for the behavior of some of our wealthy citizens, but none of these explanations flatter them. Otherwise, why transfer money from here to there?
O you wealthy ones—His Majesty the King says to you:
“We are in greater need of spending our wealth on reforming our country and establishing companies with our own capital, to undertake great and beneficial works that will lift our nation from its stumble and restore its strength, dignity, and prosperity among nations.”
The land that gave you life—your homeland—calls upon you to be the working hands and strong arms that build the edifice of its greatness and excellence. Look around you: everything—stone and beast—speaks the same truth:
“Those closest to you are most deserving of your generosity.”