Faisal of Saudi Arabia

Faisal bin Abdelaziz Al Saud (1906—March 25, 1975) (Arabic: فيصل بن عبدالعزيز آل سعود) was King of Saudi Arabia from 1964 to 1975.

Related Topics:
1906 - March 25 - 1975 - Arabic - King - Saudi Arabia - 1964

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Faisal was born in Riyadh, the fourth son of Ibn Saud. In 1925, Faisal, in command of an army of Saudi loyalists, won a decisive victory in the Hijaz. In return, he was made the Governor of Hijaz the following year. After the new Saudi kingdom was formalized, Faisal received the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1932.

Related Topics:
Riyadh - Ibn Saud - 1925 - Hijaz - 1932

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After the United Nations partition of Palestine, Faisal called on his father to break relations with the United States, but he was overruled. When Saud's financial ineptness resulted in the bankruptcy of the nation, Faisal was appointed regent, assuming office on March 4, 1964. On November 2 of that year, he became king after his brother Saud abdicted his rule, and left for Greece.

Related Topics:
United Nations - Palestine - United States - March 4 - 1964 - November 2 - Saud

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Faisal introduced reforms such as girl's schools and television, but these reforms were opposed by many Saudis, including members of the royal family, as both were seen to be against Islam. He was devastated when Israel won the 1967 Six-Day War and he purportedly never smiled again. King Faisal was an avid reader of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, and financed their wide dissemination throughout the kingdom and the Arab world. He even gave Henry Kissinger a copy, during a state visit in 1974.

Related Topics:
Royal family - Islam - Israel - 1967 - Six-Day War - Protocols of the Elders of Zion - Henry Kissinger - 1974

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In 1973, Faisal began a program intended to increase the military power of Saudi Arabia. On October 17, he withdrew Saudi oil from world markets, quadrupling the price. Faisal's action was the primary force behind the 1973 energy crisis. In 1974 he was named Time magazine's Man of the Year.

Related Topics:
1973 - October 17 - 1973 energy crisis - 1974 - ''Time'' magazine - Man of the Year

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