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King
Khaled Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud
1913-1982
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Born in Riyadh in 1913 (1331 H), King Khaled Ibn
Abdul Aziz was brought up under the watchful eye of his father King Abdul Aziz Al Saud.
This religious upbringing generally shaped his morals, actions and hence the way he ran
the affairs of the country when he assumed power on the 25th of March 1975 (13/3/1395 H).
Prince Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud pledged allegiance as Crown Prince when nominated by
King Khaled.
Important Achievements:
He took part in military campaigns during his father's era, particularly at the time of
the Taif Treaty. He was also appointed advisor to his brother Prince Faisal when the
latter was Vicegerent of Hijaz. Later, he ran the affairs of the Governorate of Makkah Al
Mukarramah on behalf of King Faisal. He accompanied King Faisal during most of his
missions abroad. In 1934 (1353 H), he chaired the Saudi delegation during talks with Yemen
at the Taif Conference, which culminated in the Taif Treaty between the two countries that
same year. He was also appointed assistant to his brother Faisal at the 1939 London
Conference on the Palestinian cause. In 1964 he became Crown Prince and First Deputy
Premier, a post he held until 1975 when he assumed power in Kingdom. He also presided over
the Council of Ministers, which has full organizational and executive powers. King Khaled
Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud followed the policies of his predecessor, King Faisal Ibn Abdul
Aziz Al Saud, particularly as regards protection of the State, adherence to Islamic
teachings and adherence to by the charters of the Arab League and the United Nations.
During his era the Kingdom achieved tremendous economic progress and comprehensive
development:
- King Faisal University in Dammam and Ummul Qura were established.
- The Grain Silos and Flour Mills were set up.
- The Kingdom's wheat production exceeded its consumption.
- The Ministry of Industry and Electricity was founded to upgrade the Kingdom's industry.
- Hospitals, the Army and National Guard witnessed rapid development.
King Khaled Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud paid special attention to the Palestinian cause and
supported Islamic solidarity. He was awarded the King Faisal International Prize for
Service to Islam. The fifth Islamic Conference was held in 1981, during King Khaled's
reign. He died in 1982.
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