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Late King Fahad

A pioneer of peace and progress
HE spectacular development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of Ihe Cuslodian of.The Two Holy Mosques late King Fahad Bln Abdul Aziz is considered as e story of achievements which laid the foundation of future advances and set a solid economic base that propelled the nation Into the forefront among the productive and exporting nations. The overall economic dovelopmentalso enabled the Saudi society Io catch up with the best in Ihe world through scientific and educational advances, particularly during his tenure of office as the first Minister of Education. History will record many initiatives of this distinguished Arab and Muslim leader, which were good for Ihe citizens of the Kingdom as well as for the Arab and Muslim worlds. Serving the causes of world peace and fostering international understanding are main objecbves at the heart of his efforts In the international arena. The concentrated efforts and regular initiatives of the Kingdom towards this end testify to his wise leadership. Conscious about his responsibilities towards Ihe Muslim world, his efforts have contributed to end many conflict among Muslims and relief of many tragedies that befell them. The rbfe of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia In bolstering Islamic solidarity and narrowing differences among Muslims, a guiding principle of Saudi policy since the days of the founder King Abdul Aziz, Is an Islamiclenet enjoined so as to serve the unity of Ihe Muslim world. Early years: The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques lata King Fahad was bom in 1923 and grew up close to his father, late King Abdul Aziz, the founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He received his early education at the hands of selected tutors and then he joined the Saudi Scientific Institute in Makkah, which was primarily devoted to the teaching of religion and Ihe Arabic language. He was known at an early age Io be lond of attending his father's audience chamber. This helped to develop his personality and acquire the qualifies of leadership. His father saw his early premise, his diplomatic sense, his early maturity and his prudence. He gave him some responsibilities, the firstofwhichwas.in 1945. membership of the Saudi Arabian delegation to Ihe opening sessions, of Iha Unital NafidhS. headed by Ihe lata King Faisal who was then Prince Faisal, the Foreign Minister.
As Minister of Education: He was appoi nted Minister of Educafion of the newly established Ministry in 1953. Thus becoming the first head of a formal Education Ministry in the history of Ihe Kingdom. He began by drawing up a far-reaching education polity, the fruits of which are still being enjoyed by Ihe people of Saudi Arabia. The objectives of his education policy included:
1. Making all stage of education available to each and every citizen throughout the country.
2. Initiation of higher education through Ihe establishment of universities. The first of
which was King Saud University set up In Riyadh In 1957, the first university In the Arabian Peninsula.
3. Increasing scholarships for foreign educational facilities Io enlarge the pool of qualified Saudis available to staff the Kingdom's education system and serve in govemmentdepartmenls.
4. Seek eventually to achieve self-sufficiency In Ihe number of Saudi teachers In all slages of educations. Fahad’s objectives in education have all been achieved. The success of his policy is exemplified in the education facts of the Kingdom to-day. There are more than 23,000 schools, more than 45 lakh students of both sexes, seven universities, numerous specialized collegesard institutes.
As Interior Minister: When he took over as Iha Minister of Inferforin 1992, he set about reorganizing it to meet the demands of a modem society. He saw through his experience as minister of education that science and organizational discipline are necessary to raise standards of performance. Ono of his early initiatives was the establishment of the College for Internal Security Forces (now King Fahad Security College) for training of the security personnel in theoretical, practical and military sciences at university level.
As Klng:..Upon Ihe death of King Khaled on 21 Shaban 1402 H (13 June 1982 AD) the ruling family and the Saudi people pledged allegiance to Fahad Bin Abdul Aziz as the fifth King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the then Prince Abdul[ah Bln Abdul Aziz, President of the National Guard, was proclaimed Crown Prince. On the same day King Fahad appointed the then Crown Prince Abdullah as First Deputy Prime Minister and commander of the National Guard and Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz as Second Deputy Primo Minister and Minister of Defence and Aviation, Since then Saudi Arabia has achieved many success In various sectors of the natiohal life, maintaining the Kingdom's utmost security and stability under Ihe able guidance of Ihe Custodian of the two Holy Mosques. There has been a qualitalivo transfofthalfon In Ihe system of government wilh the promulgation of the four new laws, namely, Ihe Basic Law of Ihe Government, the Shura Council Statute, Regional Administration Statute, and the Statue of Ihe Council of Ministers.
Role In Arab world: As an ardent exponent of Islamic solidarity, the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques late King Fahad played a prominent role in dealing with the problems of Ihe Arab world.
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He has visited all Ihe Arab states more than once and participated in many meetings and conferences. He was a bold interlocutor and campaigner for peace and amity, between Arab states. He stood by every Arab cause. The history of the Palestinian Issue is a witness to his defence of the rights of the people of Palestine and his efforts explain their legitimate claims lo the world leaders for more than a quarter of a century. To ensure security and stability in the region without sacrificing legitimate Arab rights, he put forward a solution lo Ihe Meddle East problems. That was Ihe initiative that earned his name, and was later transformed Into decisions adopted by the Arab Summit Conference In Morocco In 1982 and came to be known as the "Arab Peace Project". His initiative was received favorably not only in the Arab and Islamic spheres but throughout the world. The initiative was also adopted by the Islamic' Summit Conference of Casablanca and formed the basis for Ihe
Madrid Peace Conference of 1991. The Lebanon crisis that erupted In 1975 received the conciliatory effort of Ihe Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the fruits of which was Ihe convening of the reconciliation conference of Lebanese Parliamentarians held in Tail In Saudi Arabia in 1989. This conference helped to restore calm to Ihe Lebanon and heal the wounds of conflict and division. The Kingdom continues to provide the Lebanon with political and economic support to overcome the legacy of the civil war. When the sisterly state of Kuwait suffered Iraqi aggression on 2 August 1990. the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques late King Fahad took up his well known stance that made possible the return of freedom lo Kuwait, the Kingdom played host to the government and the people of Kuwait during the crisis as well as helping Kuwaitis abroad.
Gulf cooperation: Late King Fahad has said, "with Ihe blessings of God, we have succeeded in establishing with our brothers in
ihe Gulf, a strong and effective circle within Ihe circle of the Arab League: The Arabian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). It Is to be a model for the level of cooperation among Arab brothers and a prop that will strengthen the Arab League, deepen. Arab relationships and a shield protecting the Arabs from harm." As was hoped by the erstwhile Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Council has proved its effectiveness in meeting the challenges of recent events in the Gulf region, especially during Ihe Iraqi Invasion of KuwaiL Tho Gulf Cooperation Council took far-reaching steps in cooperation and coordination among the member states In matters of security, military affairs, economy, education and information. It has become a homogenous unit that embodies the hopes and aspirations of Ihe people of the region and those of the Arab and Islamicworid.
Man of peace: Under Ihe able leadership of the than King Fahad, the Kingdom hashed distinguished contributions, consistent with its international standing In the politics and
economy of the world. Its Arab and Islamic position is Ihe focus of Ihe attention and respect of more than a billion Arabs and Muslims. Changes in the international scene have helped to enhance Ihe Kingdom's importance in world affairs and visits of Ihe Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to a number of states had a bearing on the strengthening of relations with those states. The King has an outstanding record in confronting political and economiccrisas. His stance on oil pricing and OPEC production quotas have earned him Ihe regard of the entire world, A stance that helped to 'consolidate world stability and foster world tehee and earn for Ihe King the title 'Man of Pdafe" He was always anxious to deal with explbding crises with wisdom an^l calm consideration and see them from the point of Mew of universal good as well as from that of Arab and Islamic InteresL His far-reaching vision earned him 'Man of the Year" tide for many times through polls conducted by the media Inanumberof countries.
Set nation's goal: His address to the Shura Council on May 17, 2003 this year was a clarion call to the nation to bravely face Ihe changed situation of the world which is now at a cross road. He declared: The march of reform has remained uninterrupted and will continue with the grace of the Almighty Allah. We will go on the path of political and administrative reforms, and we will work for revision of our systems and instructions, and to tighten control on the performance of the govt, organs, as well as broadening the scope of Ihe popular participation, and opening wider horizons for the work of woman within Iha frame work of the leachings if Islam. This nation is determined on eradicating all forms of terrorism. The real reform is the one that emerges from the nation's faith and heritage, and the reform that is accepted by the nation willingly without coercion." The Illustrious leader of. the Muslim world breathed his last on August 1,2005.