By Ismail Al‑Habrouk — Al‑Riyadh Weekly Magazine, Special Issue, 1954 / 1375 AH
Circumstances have not yet allowed me the honor of meeting His Majesty King Saud bin Abdulaziz. Yet despite this, I have heard and read much about him, and from all that I have heard and read, I have come to believe that the most striking quality of the King is that he is a monarch who walks with his head held high—one who does not know how to bow it, ever. For this reason, he has set before his eyes the mission of ensuring that the Arab nation, too, stands tall, dignified, and unbowed.
They told me he is a king who combines the pride of a believer with the humility of an ascetic; the courage of a warrior with the wisdom of a leader; gentleness and compassion with steadfast devotion to his faith, his nation, and his traditions.
All who have written about him or spoken of his character agree that he is a clear, straightforward king—like a straight line that moves forward without ambiguity, without deviation, without maneuvering.
He speaks with his heart upon his tongue. He always says what he believes. He can say “no” and honor it, and he can say “yes” and uphold it. History knows only a few like King Saud—those who said “no” in its rightful place, and “yes” in its rightful place.
He believes in the Arabs as one united people—not as scattered nations torn by desires, ambitions, and whims.
He sees the good of the Arabs in the unity of their word, the harmony of their purpose, and the clarity of their goal. And the day the Arabs become a nation standing tall and dignified, we will all remember the merit of King Saud, who never missed a moment or an opportunity to work for Arab unity and the elevation of their status.
I still remember that when I met His Majesty King Hussein bin Talal of Jordan in his palace in Amman—at a time when the illness of the late King Abdulaziz Al‑Saud had grown severe—I said to His Majesty:
“The era of King Abdulaziz has paved the way for Arab hearts to unite, to come together, to restore Islam’s glory and the Muslims’ rightful place.”
He immediately replied:
“We will reach that, God willing. And I know well that Prince Saud is among the most passionate of Arab leaders in striving for the rise of the Arabs.”
In Beirut… in Damascus… in Jerusalem… and in every Arab country I visited on my recent journey, I heard King Saud’s name on the tongues of officials and ordinary people alike—always linked with great hope.
Even when I toured the Arab refugee camps in Syria, Jordan, and Gaza, I heard the dreams of the refugees circling around Riyadh—carrying prayers and wishes for the King of Riyadh.
One day, Major General Hussein Al‑Shafei, Egypt’s Minister of Social Affairs, told me—after returning from the Hijaz as head of the Hajj delegation—when I asked him about King Saud and the impression the Kingdom left on him:
“King Saud’s personality is one of those powerful personalities that cannot be forgotten. You feel it the moment you sit with him. I can tell you: the Arabs are well, and Islam is well, as long as King Saud is well.”
I was among the journalists who once sat with the Jewish writer Alfred Lilienthal, author of “What Price Israel?”—a book in which he attacked Zionism and called for distinguishing between Jews and Zionists. I asked him:
“How did you find King Saud?”
He did not hesitate. He answered immediately:
“I saw him only as a knight of the Arab knights—fully prepared to draw his sword, mount his steed, and join one of his father’s great campaigns.”
And Alfred Lilienthal spoke the truth.
For in King Saud lies the chivalry of the Arabs—their nobility, their courage, their pride, and their generosity.
I once met the former King Talal, father of King Hussein, at Fouad I Hospital in Cairo, during a moment of good health. We spoke of Arab affairs and of Jordan in particular, and he said to me:
“I am reassured, for Saud will be nothing but an elder brother to Hussein.”
He said this in the presence of his personal physician, not knowing that I would one day convey it to King Saud. And I seize this moment to say it now, to deliver the message—though I am certain that King Saud considers all Arabs—rulers and ruled, leaders and citizens—his brothers, his loved ones, and his people.
I know this. And those who have known King Saud closely know even more.
May God preserve him for Arabism—and for the Arabs.