When news spread in Riyadh that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Prince Saud intended to travel to Mecca on Monday, the 6th of Dhu al‑Hijjah 1366 AH, to perform the Hajj pilgrimage on behalf of His Majesty the King, his father, people flocked from every direction to bid him farewell at his lofty palace. From the early morning hours, the royal procession set out, composed of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the noble princes, after a grand farewell ceremony attended by palace officials, heads of departments, senior civil servants, the Royal Guard, soldiers, dignitaries, notables, and crowds of citizens who filled Riyadh, its airport, and the entire road between them. Their cheers for His Royal Highness rose to the heavens.
While the official farewell ceremonies were taking place in Riyadh, the city of Jeddah was preparing to receive the magnificent procession of His Royal Highness and the princes of the royal household, along with senior members of the royal entourage. At Jeddah Airport, crowds gathered in waves awaiting the arrival of the Saudi aircraft carrying the leaders of the Hijaz and figures of the Arab East. Present at the airport were the heads of Jeddah’s government departments, senior officials, notables, and a delegation from Mecca’s administration, as well as the full Indonesian delegation. A large public gathering filled the grounds, while lines of police, army personnel, schoolchildren, and sports teams stood on both sides of the reception hall’s approach.
The venue was adorned with Saudi Arabian flags fluttering proudly, proclaiming to the world that these banners—raised by strong Arab hands—would remain aloft forever over these sacred lands. Jeddah’s municipal officials supervised the arrangements and ensured order.
At the forefront of those receiving His Royal Highness were Their Royal Highnesses Prince Saud bin Abdulrahman, Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Defense Prince Mansour, and Prince Abdullah Al‑Faisal. At five o’clock, the Crown Prince’s aircraft landed. The princes hastened to greet him as he descended. A police detachment rendered military honors, schoolchildren and sports teams sang spirited welcoming chants, and the thunder of twenty‑one cannon shots echoed across the sky in salute to His Royal Highness.
Accompanying Prince Saud from Riyadh to perform the sacred pilgrimage were several royal princes, including Prince Faisal bin Turki, Prince Mohammed bin Turki, Prince Fahd bin Saud, Prince Musaad bin Saud, Prince Mohammed bin Saud, and Prince Abdullah bin Saud. Also accompanying him were officials of His Majesty’s Royal Diwan, including: Sheikh Ibrahim bin Jami‘ah, Chief of Hospitality; Sheikh Ibrahim bin ‘Aidan, Head of the Bedouin Affairs Office; Sheikh Abdullah Al‑Tuwijri, Assistant Secretary‑General; Commander Saeed Bey Joudeh, Chief of the Royal Guard.
The Crown Prince’s personal entourage included: Abdullah Al‑Sa‘doun, Naif bin ‘Ar‘ar, Suleiman Al‑‘Ubayd, Suleiman bin Hadhlool, Saud bin Dughaithir, Talha bin ‘Ar‘ar, and Abdulaziz bin ‘Aboud. His private Diwan staff included: Fahd bin Kuraidis, Chief of the Crown Prince’s Diwan; his deputy Mohammed bin Saeed; Othman Al‑Tuwijri, Head of the Telegraph Division; Ibrahim bin Suwaylim, Head of the Complaints Office; the distinguished writer Abdulhamid Mushakhkhas; Dr. Adeeb Al‑‘Antabi, the Crown Prince’s personal physician; and the military aide Mohammed Al‑Namla, along with other esteemed officials.
After His Royal Highness settled in the reception hall at Jeddah Airport, a speaker delivered a welcoming address. The attendees then approached to greet him, and he received them with his characteristic warmth, graciousness, and noble manners. Coffee and refreshments were served. After the ceremony, His Royal Highness departed in a royal car, followed by a long procession of vehicles carrying the princes and entourage, toward the royal palace. At its entrance, a detachment of Defense soldiers rendered military honors.
Once seated in the palace’s grand reception hall, delegations of diplomats, foreign representatives, government officials, notables, and dignitaries streamed in to offer their greetings. His Royal Highness welcomed each of them individually, thanking them for their loyalty and devotion, and then invited them to a royal luncheon.
After the customary ceremonies, His Royal Highness donned the garments of ihram, as did the princes and officials accompanying him. He then departed by royal car from Jeddah to Mecca, with the princes and entourage following in a long procession. Police units stationed along the road rendered military honors as he passed.
At the same time, I was in Mecca and witnessed firsthand the immense anticipation of the noble people of Mecca for the arrival of their beloved Crown Prince. Crowds lined both sides of the road from Bab Jeddah to the Sacred Mosque, leaving no space to stand. Police and army personnel maintained order and cleared the way for the royal procession.
At 10:30 a.m. on Monday, 6 Dhu al‑Hijjah 1366 AH, the procession entered Mecca. A police detachment at Bab Jeddah rendered military honors, sports teams chanted welcoming hymns, and twenty‑one cannon shots echoed in salute.
A column of police jeeps and motorcycles led the procession. At Bab al‑Salam, another police detachment rendered honors. The crowds applauded and hailed their prince with heartfelt expressions, and His Royal Highness responded with his noble hand, radiant smile, and luminous countenance.
Entering the Sacred Mosque through Bab al‑Salam—as prescribed in the pilgrimage protocol—His Royal Highness was accompanied by the princes, the royal entourage, and the guards. The Aghawat and attendants of the Haram walked before him with censers of incense. He circumambulated the Kaaba seven times, prayed behind Maqam Ibrahim, then walked to Safa and performed the Sa‘i between Safa and Marwah on foot. Before sunset, he had completed his rites.
Afterward, the royal procession returned to the palace, where Defense soldiers rendered military honors at the entrance. Applause and cheers filled the air from the crowds lining the road from Mecca’s entrance to the royal palace. The city was adorned with Saudi flags raised over all government buildings in celebration of the Crown Prince’s arrival.
After Maghrib prayer, a dinner was held in his honor for senior officials and notables.
At 3 p.m. the following day (Tuesday), a grand public reception was held at the royal palace. It was attended by heads of government departments, senior officials, notables of the Hijaz, representatives of all social classes, and dignitaries among the pilgrims. When all were seated, His Royal Highness entered the great reception hall, and all rose in respect. After serving Arabian coffee, the distinguished poet Ahmed Ibrahim Ghazawi, Poet Laureate of His Majesty the King and member of the Shura Council, recited before His Royal Highness a magnificent ode, masterfully composed and eloquently delivered.
Saud—pure radiance and glory, in whom the nation gathers though he stands alone. Toward him, Al‑Bathā’ hastens in love, calling his name in joy, rushing to greet him.
It is as though the Hijaz, now assembled before him, has been illumined by the bright dawn of Najd. Its hills pour forth toward him, their very breath filled with gratitude and praise.
From his countenance flows gentleness, and from his generous hands—abundance. He is like the full moon in its perfection; what sun could outshine his light?
Ancient virtues have taken root in him— rising and ebbing like noble tides among his people. Prayers speak of his gifts, and gleaming swords of his resolve.
All the world’s sons have magnified his deeds— youth and elders alike repeat his name. I see before me processions of his vanguards, stretching beyond the horizon’s edge.
They march upon the earth in steady ranks, their banners brushing the stars. Who is more worthy to take pride in his father— a father whose crown holds the lineage of Ma‘ad?
He was nurtured by the radiance of his father’s sun, to whom every noble virtue returns. Since the day his amulets were hung upon him, he has stood firm—unyielding, unshaken.
How many delegations crowded his gates, receiving from his overflowing generosity. How many armored battalions he led, over which birds circled in familiar omen.
How many battles he entered, blood‑red, their storms dark as twin seas. How often he advanced with the sword, claiming fortresses destined to fall.
And how often his shade brought comfort, cooled by the mercy of the Most Merciful.
The Crown Prince—bright of face, in whom governance takes pride, a mountain in its steadfastness. Night itself is lit by his presence, his path written in lightning and thunder.
He is approached by hearts veiled in love, drawn irresistibly toward him. They are carried by a breeze of light, as though his radiance were a necklace upon the East.
How could it be otherwise, when fortune rests between his hands, and the morning smiles upon him with renewed covenant?
A shining glow rests upon his brow, like a polished blade drawn from its sheath. In him lies the refuge of Arab hopes, the embodiment of their deepest aspirations.
Distance has wearied us long enough— its burden harsh and unjust. Lift from us its weight swiftly, for its snares reverse and recoil.
We have upon you a right that endures, a right that calls you to remain— and this, you have promised.
Yes—you promised us, until the days passed in their tumult, and you returned as pledged. We bore separation with reluctance, enduring its armor‑like heaviness for ages.
You are enough as caller, enough as answer— from you justice draws its measure.
This is a trust I carry from the people, delivered to you faithfully, without withholding. Their hearts nearly burst with longing, yet your compassion—boundless as ever—remains.
Your blessings continue in unbroken succession, your efforts guided by purpose and success.
Long live our King and all his sons, and your young lion—delight of the eyes—Fahd.
Afterward, Mr. Fouad Shaker, Chief of Royal Protocol, stepped forward and recited a poem before His Royal Highness Prince Saud. It was met with great admiration and enthusiastic approval, and many in the audience repeated its verses. He was followed by Mr. Mohammed Hussein Zaidan, Assistant Director of the General Administration of Hajj, who delivered an eloquent address that made a deep impression and was greeted with vigorous applause.
Then Mr. Diya’ al‑Din Rajab, Deputy Director of the General Administration of Endowments, recited a splendid poem—one of the enduring jewels of Arabic verse. After him, Dr. Mohammed Mar‘i delivered a poem expressing his profound devotion to his sovereign and beloved homeland; it, too, was received with admiration and appreciation.
Next came the gifted student Abdulaziz Mas‘oud, orator of the Mecca Orphanage, who delivered a remarkable address that was warmly welcomed. He was followed by the renowned Bedouin poet ‘Alyan al‑Jabri, who recited a fine poem in his distinctive style, leaving a strong impression on the audience. Then the poet Mustafa al‑Sukran stood and recited a beautiful poem, masterfully delivered and warmly received.
Afterward, refreshments were served to the attendees. They then approached, class by class, to greet His Royal Highness, who remained standing, receiving them with the noble courtesy and graciousness for which he was known. The last to greet him were the officers of the Capital Police and the students of the Mecca Orphanage, who passed before him carrying their banners and rendering a precise and impressive salute.
Thus concluded this magnificent ceremony, supervised and organized by His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah Al‑Faisal, and it was a marvel of beauty, splendor, and perfection.
The procession of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince—surrounded by majesty and dignity—was the delight of the pilgrims and the adornment of the Hajj season. On Wednesday, the 8th of Dhu al‑Hijjah, His Royal Highness departed the capital wearing the garments of ihram, traveling in a royal car, followed by the noble princes and his esteemed entourage. To his right, left, and behind him marched the Royal Guard, all in ihram, forming a long procession of vehicles chanting the talbiyah until they reached Mina, where His Royal Highness stayed in the royal residence and performed the five prescribed prayers according to the noble Prophetic tradition.
On the morning of the 9th, the royal procession proceeded to ‘Arafat, where His Royal Highness entered the royal camp and remained in devotion until the sun passed its zenith. He then proceeded to Masjid Namirah, entering through the ‘Azizi Gate, and performed the combined noon and afternoon prayers, following the Sunnah, behind His Eminence the Chief Judge, Sheikh Abdullah bin Hasan Al‑Sheikh. He listened to the Sheikh’s sermon explaining the rites and rulings of Hajj, while the vast multitudes of pilgrims heard it through modern loudspeakers.
Afterward, His Royal Highness went to Jabal al‑Rahmah, standing before the rock where the Prophet—peace be upon him—once stood. It was a majestic and awe‑inspiring scene, radiant with sanctity. He remained there with the pilgrims for the rest of the day, humble before God, chanting the talbiyah, glorifying and supplicating until sunset.
Then the royal procession moved from ‘Arafat to Muzdalifah, where His Royal Highness performed the dawn prayer of the 10th day and stood at al‑Mash‘ar al‑Haram until the light rose. He then proceeded to Mina, where he performed the stoning of Jamrat al‑‘Aqabah, completed the required rites, and then traveled to Mecca to perform Tawaf al‑Ifadah, before returning to Mina. Throughout the Hajj, His Royal Highness was a noble example for the pilgrims, a model of propriety and devotion.
After the pilgrims completed their sacred rites, His Royal Highness held a grand reception in Mina for the delegations of pilgrims from across the Arab and Islamic world. Prince Mansour, Minister of Defense, personally supervised its organization with meticulous care. Special seats were prepared for official and public dignitaries, each labeled with its occupant’s name.
Present were the notables of the pilgrims, provincial governors, heads of government departments, senior officials, and representatives of all social classes. Leading the foreign delegations were: — His Excellency Haider Bey Mardam, Syrian Minister Plenipotentiary in the Hijaz — Ahmed Khashabah Pasha, Amir of the Egyptian Hajj — The Indonesian Republic’s representative — Muslim ministers and envoys of Arab and other nations — Islamic missions, scholars, leaders, and dignitaries from all Muslim peoples.
After greeting His Royal Highness and offering congratulations on his Hajj and the blessed Eid al‑Adha, they took their seats. Then the distinguished poet Ahmed Ibrahim Ghazawi, Poet Laureate of His Majesty the King and member of the Shura Council, recited a magnificent ode that stirred emotions and ignited the hearts of the audience.
He was followed by Abdulrazzaq al‑Himsi, head of the Syrian delegation, who delivered a superb and eloquent address that received enthusiastic applause. Then a young Saudi scholar, a member of the Saudi mission at the Faculty of Arts at Fouad I University in Egypt, recited a beautiful poem that deeply moved the audience.
After refreshments were served, His Royal Highness stood on the balcony of the royal palace overlooking the parade ground, accompanied by representatives of the Islamic nations and their dignitaries. Before him, the Saudi Arabian Army was reviewed.
First came the regular Defense units, led by His Royal Highness Prince Mansour, Minister of Defense, resplendent in full marshal’s uniform. Loudspeakers announced each unit as it passed: — Infantry — Armored units — Armored cars — Field artillery — Desert artillery — Anti‑tank artillery — Anti‑aircraft artillery — Heavy machine‑gun units — Light machine‑gun units — Red Crescent vehicles — Industrial workshop units
The precision and discipline of the parade filled the spectators with admiration and pride. Applause and cheers rose to the sky.
Next came the Police units: — Infantry — Cavalry — Motorcycle units — Jeep units with inspection and traffic teams
Then came the Mujahideen units, in their traditional ‘ardah formation, led by the noble princes—grandsons of His Majesty the King: Prince Abdullah Al‑Faisal, Prince Faisal bin Turki, Prince Musaad bin Saud, Prince Mohammed bin Saud, and Prince Abdullah bin Saud.
They marched in their splendid Arabian attire, swords drawn, rifles gleaming, chanting heroic songs to the beat of war drums. The Saudi flag led them, and when it passed before His Royal Highness, the Mujahideen erupted in fervor, charging forward as if in battle, firing volleys into the air. The scene electrified the spectators, who responded with thunderous applause and cheers for the victorious Saudi army and its triumphant banner.
His Royal Highness remained standing throughout the parade, saluting each unit as it passed. At about 5:30 p.m., the parade concluded, and the attendees approached to kiss the Crown Prince’s hand before departing.
Afterward, His Royal Highness and the royal entourage left Mina for Mecca, where preparations were underway for the installation of the new door of the Kaaba, replacing the old one that had deteriorated. His Majesty the King, wishing to add yet another noble deed to his countless services to Islam and the Arabs, ordered that the new door be crafted at his personal expense.
The new door was made of pure silver plates, adorned with Qur’anic inscriptions in pure gold. Its two great rings were fashioned entirely of gold in a magnificent design unprecedented in beauty. The silver plates and golden inscriptions were mounted on panels of the finest fragrant aloeswood.
The installation took place in a grand official ceremony presided over by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who lifted the door with his own blessed hands and placed it in its sacred position on the Kaaba. Present were: — Prince Mansour, Minister of Defense — Prince Abdullah Al‑Faisal — The princes, sons of the Crown Prince — The scholars, led by Sheikh Abdullah bin Hasan Al‑Sheikh — Sheikh Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al‑Sheikh — Sheikh ‘Umar bin Hasan Al‑Sheikh — Other members of the Al‑Sheikh family — Sheikh Mohammed bin Mani‘, Director of Public Education — Provincial governors — The senior and deputy custodians of the Kaaba — The Minister of Finance — The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs — The Director of Public Security — The Director of Endowments — The staff and attendants of the Sacred Mosque — Delegations of Islamic missions — Distinguished pilgrims and dignitaries.
The General Administration of Endowments organized this grand ceremony, prepared its program, and issued invitations with utmost diligence. When His Royal Highness the Crown Prince arrived at the Gate of the Sacred Mosque, a detachment of police rendered military honors. His Royal Highness entered the Holy Mosque, preceded by the Aghawat and the attendants of the Haram, carrying censers of incense. When he reached the door of the Kaaba, he sat before it in complete reverence, and the invited guests sat behind him.
The ceremony began with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an by the renowned reciter Sheikh Siraj Qarut. Then His Royal Highness the Crown Prince addressed the audience with a noble and deeply moving speech, which we record here verbatim for memory and history:
Speech of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince
“My beloved people and the delegations of the Sacred House of God: I greet you with the greeting of Islam. Praise be to God, who has honored us with the service of His House, and honored me with placing this door upon the Ancient House. This is a grace from God bestowed upon us, and a noble deed among the many deeds of my father, His Majesty the King—may God preserve him and prolong his life. I ask God, in this great station, to make all our deeds sincere for His sake, to accept from us and from you, to lift the hardship from our sister Egypt and from all Muslim lands, and to guide us all to what He loves and is pleased with. Peace and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.”
After this, Sheikh Abdullah Al‑Shaibi, the second custodian of the Kaaba, delivered an eloquent address praising the virtues of His Majesty the King and concluding with prayers for him, for the Crown Prince, and for the royal family.
Then Mr. Diya’ al‑Din Rajab, Deputy Director of the General Administration of Endowments, delivered a speech—recorded here verbatim—detailing the history of the Kaaba’s door and the changes it had undergone:
Speech of Mr. Diya’ al‑Din Rajab (verbatim translation)
“Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings upon the noblest of prophets and messengers, and upon his family and companions.
Your Highness, by God’s grace and generosity, the pages of the glorious Saudi era have been filled with noble deeds and shining achievements. No honor of the past nor glory of bygone days exists except that history renews it—radiant once more—in the record of the immortal hero, His Majesty your father, the exalted King.
Your Highness, on a day like this, three hundred and twenty‑two years ago, Sultan Murad Khan, son of Sultan Ahmed Khan, ordered the governor of Egypt to make a new door for the Kaaba. He appointed Prince Ridwan Bey the architect, assisted by Yusuf the architect. They arrived in Mecca during that year’s pilgrimage season. On the 17th of Rabi‘ al‑Awwal 1045 AH, they reached the Kaaba, and the Al‑Shaibi custodians opened its door. They removed the old door and installed a temporary wooden one covered with white cotton cloth.
On Tuesday the 19th of that month, work began on a new door, upon which the decorations of the previous door were mounted, and the name of Sultan Murad Khan was inscribed. The new door was installed in a ceremony attended by the Emir of Mecca, the Sheikh of the Haram, the custodians of the Kaaba, scholars, and notables. On Thursday, 20 Ramadan 1045 AH, the old door was sent to Sultan Murad Khan by his order.
And on this Thursday, history renews its greatest virtue through His Majesty King Abdulaziz Al‑Saud, who ordered the making of this new door for the Kaaba. Today, the honor of this ceremony is presided over by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who places with his blessed hand this eternal religious monument.
Indeed, it is among the greatest of deeds that His Majesty the King ordered the making of this noble door, crafted in Mecca by Meccan hands, and that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has been granted the honor of placing it upon the Sacred House. Praise be to God for His blessings.
This is the new door, adorned with noble Qur’anic verses embroidered upon it in the following order:
In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. And fear God, to whom you shall be gathered. God has made the Kaaba, the Sacred House, a support for mankind. Say: My Lord, cause me to enter a sound entrance and to exit a sound exit, and grant me from Yourself a supporting authority. There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God. Say: O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of God. Indeed, God forgives all sins; He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful. Your Lord has prescribed mercy upon Himself. And your Lord says: Call upon Me; I will answer you. This door was ordered to be made by His Majesty King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al‑Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
In conclusion, we raise our hands in supplication that God prolong the life of our exalted King, preserve through him the strongholds of His religion, support him with His might and victory, and protect his noble sons and grandsons.”
After this, Mr. Jamil Ashi recited verses from the Holy Qur’an. When he finished, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince advanced and placed the golden ring of the Kaaba’s door upon its hinges, amid the chants of tahlil and takbir from the invited guests and the vast crowds of Muslims gathered there.
His Royal Highness then entered the Kaaba, accompanied by the princes, the heads of Islamic delegations, scholars, and dignitaries. He remained inside for some time, supplicating with blessed prayers—many of them for Muslims across the East and West. Afterward, he exited the Kaaba, circumambulated it seven times, prayed at the Station of Abraham, and returned, escorted with the same magnificent honors with which he had been received.
Afterward, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Prince Saud, held the grand annual banquet traditionally offered in honor of the delegations of the Sacred House of God. More than five hundred guests were invited, including heads of delegations, official missions, distinguished pilgrims, scholars, men of letters, representatives of Islamic nations, Arab envoys, and leaders of the Arab world.
Modern royal automobiles transported those without private vehicles to the royal palace. In the reception hall, palace officials and members of the royal household welcomed the guests and guided them to their designated seats. A genuine spirit of equality and hospitality was evident on every face. Palace attendants moved among the guests, fulfilling their needs and requests, so that each person felt as though he were sitting in his own home among his family and kin.
After Arabian coffee was served, the loudspeakers in the hall and on the balconies announced that the guests should proceed to the dining room and take their places around the royal table. Moments later, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince entered the dining hall and took his seat at the head of the table, with the most distinguished guests seated to his right and left. His gracious presence and noble hospitality filled the gathering with warmth, prompting all tongues to praise God for blessing the Arab and Islamic nation with such great leaders to guide it toward the heights of civilization and glory.
When the guests finished their meal, they returned to the grand reception hall, where fine Arabian coffee was again served. Then His Excellency Sheikh Yusuf Yassin, Minister of State and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, stepped forward and delivered the speech of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. We record it here in full, for memory and history:
Speech of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince (verbatim translation)
“My Muslim brothers, I greet you on behalf of His Majesty the King, my father, and on my own behalf. I greet you with the greeting of Islam, and in your honored persons I greet the Muslims in the East and West of the earth. I praise God who has enabled us and you to perform the rites of Hajj, in obedience to His command, in response to the call of our father Abraham, and in following the Sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
God has prescribed the pilgrimage to His House as a mercy and a blessing, to unite our word in His worship, to make us brothers in His obedience, and to bring our hearts together in His love: ‘That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of God during known days over what He has provided them of livestock.’
What benefit is greater than that the hearts of Muslims yearn toward this Ancient House, to meet one another for God’s sake and pledge themselves to act according to the Book of God?
In such a gathering, the Messenger of God called people to the oneness of their Lord. In such a gathering, he delivered his Farewell Sermon, a guidance for all who seek guidance. After him, his rightly guided successors did the same. And so have we followed their path. My father, may God preserve him, has always been a caller to God in such great assemblies, and in them we counsel ourselves and the Muslims to act according to the Book of God and follow the guidance of His Messenger.
The first thing we call to is what the Messenger of God called to: sincerity in worship to God alone— that we worship none but God, call upon none but God, and associate nothing with Him in worship: ‘Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death are for God, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims.’
I call upon the Muslims in this great station to abandon all that contradicts God’s command, and to enjoin one another to patience and piety. We seek help from God to support us, strengthen us, and guide us to what pleases Him. Glory be to You—we cannot praise You as You deserve. We thank Him for enabling us to perform His worship in His Sacred House, and for granting us strength and resolve so that safety prevails in this blessed valley.
We ask Him to grant us success in all that eases the pilgrimage for the pilgrims of His House, and to help us serve the people of this land, who are from our hearts and we from theirs. We live with them as a father lives with his children, and children with their father.
My brothers, My heart is filled with joy when I see the multitudes of Muslims in their honor and dignity, and the Arabs in their homelands, that they may possess their lands and enjoy their blessings.
God willed that the Arabs unite in establishing their League, and His will was fulfilled. We all look to it with our hearts and defend it and its principles with all our strength. You all know its work and efforts, and we and the Arab states strive earnestly to achieve what is required.
I do not wish to mention the cause of Palestine alone, for every cause of the Muslims is our cause, and every cause of the Arabs is our cause. We work continually to achieve our goals.
In conclusion, I ask God to accept from us and from you, to return you safely to your homes, to grant us the honor of meeting you again in this blessed land, to lift the hardship that has befallen our sister Egypt, and to gather us in this secure land under the pleasure of God and in the presence of His Majesty the King. May God honor the Muslims and the Arabs and grant them victory over their enemies. Peace be upon you.”
After Sheikh Yusuf Yassin concluded this noble address, Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim Ghazawi, Poet Laureate of His Majesty the King, recited a magnificent ode that deeply moved the audience. Then the great Arab poet Fouad Pasha Al‑Khateeb recited a splendid poem, met with thunderous applause and repeated by many. After him, Mr. Fouad Shaker recited verses of rare eloquence and beauty. When he finished, censers of fragrant oud and rosewater sprinklers were passed among the guests, who then approached to greet His Royal Highness before departing, surrounded by the same honor and hospitality with which they had been received.
The Next Day: The Crown Prince Receives the Public
The following day, I was with my esteemed colleague, Mr. Abdullah ‘Arif, owner of Al‑Bilad Al‑Saudiyyah newspaper, on our way to the royal palace to interview His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. When we arrived, we found the gates open, welcoming thousands of visitors who came to see the Prince and greet him. The palace halls were filled like a surging sea with pilgrims of every class—no distinction between them, for Islam had made them equal, and the House of Saud had treated them as equals.
His Royal Highness stood in the council hall, shaking hands with the thousands who approached him, his smile reflecting the noble character that had raised him to such high rank.
Despite the immense number of visitors, he continued to conduct state affairs with his usual precision and alertness—whispering instructions to his Chief of the Diwan, his private secretary, his telegraph officer, and other officials—while simultaneously answering questions from journalists and radio correspondents from many nations and languages. All left praising the noble qualities they had witnessed in him, carrying home the memory of meeting the greatest Arab leader after the beloved King of the Peninsula.
In this majestic atmosphere, filled with warmth, dignity, and grace, I had the honor of presenting myself to His Royal Highness on behalf of the Syrian Post.
After he kindly welcomed me, I asked my first question:
Interview with His Royal Highness
Q: Pilgrims enjoyed remarkable comfort this year. What is the reason?
Prince Saud: “The comfort of the pilgrims this year is due first to God Almighty, who facilitated the means for their ease. We were able to implement some of the projects ordered by His Majesty the King, and these had a clear effect on the pilgrims’ comfort. More will be completed, God willing, and additional projects will be undertaken as economic conditions allow. The availability of sufficient automobiles also contributed greatly. The cooperation of state employees and citizens, each fulfilling his duty, played a major role in ensuring the pilgrims’ comfort.”
Q: Your Highness traveled to America earlier this year. What was the purpose of your trip, and what did you observe there?
Prince Saud: “America is a great nation. My trip concerned matters related to the service of the Arab countries. We are not accustomed to speaking about what we do; Arabs and Muslims will know when the time is right. We saw there the signs of progress and civilization known to all. We take from every nation what is beneficial for our country and consistent with our systems and traditions.”
Q: What is the Arab position if Palestine is to be partitioned?
Prince Saud: “The Arab position on Palestine is clear. The Arabs will not deviate from their views. How can a people change their very identity? Palestine is Arab—how can it be transformed into something else? Such a thing has never occurred in human history. The Arabs are determined to pursue this matter to the end.”
Q: May we ask Your Highness about the Greater Syria Project?
Prince Saud: “The Arabs have expressed their view clearly, and there is no need to repeat it. I am certain that the cause of Palestine occupies the Arabs entirely, uniting them and diverting them from all disagreement, so that they may stand as one hand against the imminent danger in Palestine.”
Source: Kitāb al‑Imām al‑‘Ādil by Abdulhamid Al‑Khateeb.