Prince Salman opens Project of Hajj, Two Holy Mosques Encyclopedia

Governor of Riyadh region inaugurates exhibition on King Abdulaziz life

King Abdulaziz aimed at serving his religion, people, Muslims – Prince Salman

Governor of Riyadh region Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, who is also Chairman of Board of Directors of King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, and the Supervisor of the project of Hajj and Two Holy Mosques Encyclopedia inaugurated the launch of the scientific and research works of the project to be implemented and accomplished by the Foundation in cooperation with the Makkah-based Institute of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for Hajj Research.

During his visit to Umm Al-Qura University, he also inaugurated an exhibition on King Abdulaziz Life prepared by King Abdulaziz Foundation in cooperation with Umm Al-Qura University.

Upon arrival at the venue, Prince Salman was received by Umm Al-Qura University Rector Adnan bin Mohammed Wazan and a number of officials.

A speech ceremony was held on this occasion.

In an address on the occasion, Prince Salman expressed his admiration over launching the project of encyclopedia of hajj and the two holy mosques following the royal approval.

The project of the encyclopedia was accomplished under the supervision of King Abdulaziz foundation for research and archives in cooperation with the institute of the custodian of the Two holy mosques for hajj research at ummal qura university and the general presidency for affairs of the holy mosque and the Prophet's mosque as well as the ministries of hajj and higher education in support from Saudi bin laden group.

Shedding light on the history of King Abdulaziz, Prince Salman said his history is not confined to the achievement of unification, but also includes numerous other sides which project his humanity and the great attention he had given to the country notably Makkah and Madinah.

"The Arabian peninsula witnessed centuries of instability and lack of security in addition to the weakness of the religion in the hearts of the people and spread of several mini-states following an era of unity and stability during the time of the Islamic state during the time of Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him), and the righteous caliphs, ommaid and abbaside states."

Prince Salman said "The Saudi state came to restore stability to this region in the light of the first Islamic state, and most of its parts were unified in one state in line with the teachings of the Holy Quran and sunnah (the prophet's teachings) and not only on regional or tribal basis or human thought for more than 270 years when Imam Mohammed Mohammed bin Saud and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulwahab agreed to bring about the unity of the state on the basis of Islam. As the result of that important base, the Saudi state surfaced for the second time and emerged for the third time under the leadership of the late King Abdulaziz."

Moreover, this has been clearly explained by the French historian Philex Manijan in 1239 in his book entitled 'history of Egypt in the era of Mohammed Ali following the collapse of al-dir'eyya and before the establishment of the second Saudi state, who said 'that the country includes the seeds of freedom and independence, and the prevalence of religious principles, despite the fact that the Saudi family was not united and chaos was spreading among the leaders, yet there was a fertile base which could be open again.'

"As such King Abdulaziz started to re-establish the Saudi state when he was young with the help of few individuals. He was not planning to expand for the sake of only ruling but to serve his religion, people and the Muslims.

At the same time some were calling for the Arab unity but on the national base without application.

King Abdulaziz started his mission in the Arabian Peninsula with the help of his loyal men. King Abdulaziz was 'Adnani' from the side of his father but he was 'Qahtani' from the side of his mother, so he was an original Arab and Muslim," Prince Salman noted.

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was established on the basis of the holy Quran and sunnah and not on nationalism or bigotry, so it has been a target for the enemies who have been trying to strip it off from its creed, because they know that when it is stripped off its creed that means a flagrant announcement for its collapse and end. No doubt that the enemies of the principles of this state are those who behave in an extreme manner under the name of Islam, while actually Islam has nothing to do with them, and they become elements for destruction, and terrorism, or those who advocate to giving up the principles of the religion and Our religion advocates moderation, no exaggeration or neglect, no extremism or futility," Prince Salman said.

Prince Salman said "King Abdulaziz was known for his sincerity, nobility and piety which contributed to his success and his personality was characterized by the values of Islam and its humanitarian principles."

Sheikh Abdullah Khayyat, who knew personally the late King Abdulaziz, illustrated in his book entitled "Features from the Past," that the founder of the Kingdom -- King Abdulaziz used to perform Tahajjud - a prayer after midnight, in the small watches of the morning until dawn -- the time of 'Fajr' prayer when he used to perform the dawn prayers collectively with others.

Prince Salman said "The late King Abdulaziz used to reserve annual meetings for his family, men and women, to advise them and to remind them with the bases of this country, and urge them to treat people nicely and give more attention to the poor people and to preserve the rights of the people.

When I was young, King Abdulaziz used to direct us to do good things notably prayers and studies. He used to detain those who fail to perform prayers in one of the rooms of al-Murabba Palace, and I was of one of his sons who had experienced this detention on one day. He used to order some of his men to follow up our performance of prayers on daily bases, and some times my aunt: Noora used to mediate when we commit a mistake.

King Abdulaziz also gave a great attention to the education of the members of his family and nation. He allocated a special school for his sons at his palace and appointed teachers, most of them were from Makkah like Ahmad al-Arabi, Sheikh Abdullah Khayyat, Ahmad al-Kazimi, Salih Khuzami and Abdul-Hameed al-Kazimi.

He used to order one of his close men to stand in front of the school to inspect us when we enter the school and to inform him with the name of those who fail to report to the school or who might come late."

On his part, Sheikh Abdullah Khayyat said in his aforesaid book that King Abdulaziz, during his visits to the school, the school of the princes, noticed one his sons tried to hide a spot of ink which was on his garment, but King Abdulaziz told him 'don't do that because the ink is the perfume of the students'.

Prince Salman said King Abdulaziz treated humanly those who opposed him, and it was reported that who had opposed him and remained alive voluntarily returned to him due to his fine treatment, human and noble feelings and absolute sincerity with the people.

"With his humanitarian treatment, King Abdulaziz threw confidence in the hearts of those who were his enemies, and appointed them in key posts in the sectors of administration, education, army, finance, protocols and other sectors. Moreover, Kheir-Eddin al-Zarkali recalled in his book 'the Arabian peninsula in the era of King Abdulaziz," that one day king Abdulaziz smiled when he was meeting with Sheikh Noori al-Shalaan, the leader of the tribes of al-Rola. Later, King Abdulaziz told Noori that those who are sitting near you were my enemies. Noori replied: it was your sword, but King Abdulaziz added 'no it was not the sword, but I respected them and treated them like members of al-Saud."

Prince Salman said "King Abdulaziz was also sincere to those who supported him during his campaign to unify the kingdom, and due to his good intention he had several supporters throughout the country even before its unification, he was sincere to them."

"As regards justice, it was one of his main characteristics. Ameen al-Rayhani illustrated in his book 'the Kings of the Arabs', one day King Abdulaziz watched an exhausted camel near his camp. He asked the owner of the camel to leave the camel for grazing and to return it to the convoy. King Abdulaziz told al-Rayhani 'those who don't treat their camels justly will never treat their people justly'.

In another event, when an old woman from Makkah came to his palace in Makkah complaining somebody and saying that no one was ready to defend her, King Abdulaziz said I will be your agent in this case and had personally followed the case until it was settled.

In his book of 'features from the life of king Abdulaziz', Abdulaziz al-Iheidib said when king Abdulaziz was following up the building of al-Murabba palace, and that was during the blessed month of Ramadan, he saw workers working under the hot sun, king Abdulaziz said although I don't use my hands in the work and use a car, yet I feel thirsty' and added 'don't work more than four hours in the day hours of Ramadan and you will receive full wage'."

Prince Salman said: King Abdulaziz used to view his people as his indivisible part, and he used to receive citizens from the various parts of the Kingdom in Riyadh or any other place. King Abdulaziz used to ask the people about their need and affairs, and during the economic crisis caused by the break out of the Second World War, he had set up camps and kitchens throughout the country to provide the citizens with food.

"He used to take with him some money to extend it to the needy people. Kheir-Eddin al-Zarkali recalled that king Abdulaziz saw a porter and provided him with some money. Then the king's driver told the king that the bag he had given to the porter was a bag of gold. The King asked the driver to go back to the porter. The driver returned to the porter thinking that king Abdulaziz will take back the gold. But he was taken by surprise when the king told the porter that he had extended to him bag of gold and told him not to be fooled by another man."

Prince Salman said "King Abdulaziz used to distribute charities by himself and assign members of his family to do the same and distribute charities to the needy people and to get acquainted with the affairs of the people.

"The late Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz said once he (KING Abdulaziz) had given some money to an old woman. The old woman could not recognize king Abdulaziz and asked who're you, but king Abdulaziz did not tell her his name. The old woman asked are you Abdulaziz , and then Abdulaziz said 'yes', and the old woman prayed to Allah Almighty to make the resources of the land at king Abdulaziz's disposal, and after the discovery of oil in the kingdom , king Abdulaziz said that might be a result of the prayers of that old woman. Giving a great attention to the orphans, King Abdulaziz approved opening the first school and an orphanage in Makkah for the orphans in 1355 AH as it was reported by Ummal Qura newspaper. He appointed some of the sons of Makkah to manage the school and the orphanage and established other schools for the orphans throughout the Kingdom."

Prince Salman said: Makkah and Madinah were the dearest cities in the heart of king Abdulaziz and he gave them utmost attention. He enhanced the pillars of security in the country notably in Makkah and Madinah and the pilgrims were able to perform their rituals in a secured atmosphere.

"King Abdulaziz used to spend a long time every year in Makkah before and after Hajj season to meet the sons of Makkah.

When we were young we used to be happy and come to Makkah and study at al-Saqqaf palace.

In Makkah, King Abdulaziz laid the foundation of the pillars of the participation of the citizens in the management of the affairs of the people, and established the municipal council by election, and established Shoura (Consultative) council in 1345 AH. In Makkah the first official newspaper was issued under the name of Ummal qura in 1443 AH. In Makkah, king Abdulaziz received allegiance as the king of Hijaz and sultan of Najd and its annexes in 1344 AH.

In Makkah king Abdulaziz issued the first comprehensive system for the administration of the country which included the basic instructions in 1345 AH.

Moreover, hundreds of systems were issued in Makkah in the era of King Abdulaziz and these systems contributed to the development of the country.

The sons of Makkah played a crucial role in the administrative and financial system, and he appointed them to become members of several constituent commissions, committees and administrations.

Makkah witnessed the declaration of the system of the Crown prince for the first time when the notables of Makkah and then the notables of Madinah asked king Abdulaziz the appointment of his son Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz as the Crown Prince . Subsequently the decision of the Shoura and Deputies Councils was issued in Makkah and Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz was declared as the Crown Prince in 1352 AH. King Abdulaziz appointed his son King Faisal bin Abdulaziz as his deputy in Makkah in 1344 AH."

Prince Salman said: "Since his entry into Makkah, King Abdulaziz gave utmost attention to the Holy Mosque and the holy places, citizens, pilgrims and umrah performers. He renovated the Holy Mosque and provided it with electric light for the first time, paved and expanded the 'Mas'a' area, set up shades for the protection of the worshippers from the hot sun. His also gave attention to water and to 'Zubeida' spring and to Zamzam well. He also set the Kaaba's Kiswa (dress) factory for the first time.

When the peril of the rainfall appeared in 1360 AH, King Abdulaziz did his best to protect the Holy Mosque and ordered Abdullah al-Suleiman to do his best in this respect, and ordered for iron-made doors for the Holy Mosque.

King Abdulaziz was sincere to his God and was keen on the protection of the Holy Mosque from any danger.

King Abdulaziz realized the unity of the country and citizens and worked for the expansion of the Two Holy Mosques. His sons: King Saud, King Faisal, King Khalid, and King Fahd followed the steps of their great father in this respect. During the era of King Fahd the Two Holy Mosques witnessed the greatest expansion in their history."

Prince Salman said "During the era of King Fahd the Three Rule Systems were issued: they included the Basic System, the Shoura System, and the Regions System. These systems came in line with the systems earlier issued in Makkah. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz participated with his brother in the attainment of these achievements in this blessed part. He was an ideal man as regards faithfulness when his brother was sick in the last days of his life. This reflects the strength and coherency of the family as well as cooperation for the service of the Country and Citizens.

Today the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and his Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz are going ahead on the path of development and progress, and are attaining more achievements and giving attention to the Two Holy Mosques. The endowment of King Abdulaziz allocated by the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz for the service of the Two Holy Mosques, and the issuance of his order from Makkah to establish the Allegiance Commission in 1427 AH, and its executive statue in 1428 constitute historical achievements which he will be remembered for.

I pray to Allah Almighty to enable us to serve this blessed country and its loyal citizens and all Arab and Muslim nations.

Wassalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatu."

Later, other personalities spoke about the advantages of King Abdulaziz and spoke about his numerous humanitarian stands which reflected his justice and love for the good of people, such as combating corruption, spreading love, fraternity, and equality among all.

On his part, Director of Ummal Qura University Dr Adnan Wazzan announced awarding Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz the honorary doctorate in arts by the University's Council in recognition of his pioneering role in supporting arts.

Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz said ' I have earlier rejected any honorary doctorate from any other university, but now I feel honored to accept this honorary doctorate from Ummal Qura University because it has a special place in my heart'.

Prince Salman also received from Wazzan a memorial photograph for King Abdulaziz dating 1365 AH, and a similar present from Undersecretary of the University Dr. Hashim Hariri which also dates back to 1384 AH. The photograph was for King Abdulaziz while speaking with journalist Hamid Damanhouri about the elections of the Municipal Council in Makkah in addition to a group of rare photographs for King Abdulaziz.

The function was attended by Prince Turki Al-Faisal, and a number of other princes and senior officials.