Abdullah of Saudi Arabia 83965 225763759 2008-07-15T08:18:37Z Al-Sha145 7478665 /* Religion */ {{fixHTML|begin}} {{Infobox_Monarch | name = Abdullah<br><small>الملك عبد الله</small> | title =[[King of Saudi Arabia]] | image =[[Image:King Abdullah bin Abdul al-Saud Jan2007.jpg|200px]] | caption = | reign =[[1 August]] [[2005]] – present | full name =Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud | investiture = | predecessor =[[Fahd of Saudi Arabia|Fahd]] | successor = | suc-type =Heir Presumptive | heir = | consort = 4 wives<ref>[http://www.nndb.com/people/948/000093669/ Noteworthy Name Database]</ref> | issue = 7 sons and 15 daughters<ref>http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/jan/04look.htm</ref><sup>as of 2006</sup> | royal house =[[House of Saud]] | royal anthem = | father =[[Ibn Saud]] | mother =[[Fahda bint Asi Al Shuraim]]<ref>http://www.who2.com/abdullah.html</ref> | date of birth =August [[1924]] | place of birth =[[Riyadh]], [[Saudi Arabia]] | Religion =[[Islam]] }} {{Saudibox_begin | name = Children}} * [[Khaled bin Abdullah]] * [[Mutaib bin Abdullah]] * [[Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah]] * [[Faisal bin Abdullah]] * [[Sultan bin Abdullah]] * [[Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz|Turki bin Abdullah]] * [[Mish'al bin Abdullah]] * [[Fahd bin Abdullah]] * [[Saud bin Abdullah]] * [[Mansur bin Abdullah]] * [[Fahda bint Abdullah]] * [[Nayifa bint Abdullah]] * [[Aliya bint Abdullah]] * [[Adela bint Abdullah]] * [[Nuf bint Abdullah]] * [[Sita bint Abdullah]] * [[Saifa bint Abdullah]] * [[Abeer bint Abdullah]] * [[Sara bint Abdullah]] * [[Hayfa bint Abdullah]] * [[Areeb bint Adullah]] * [[Madawy bint Abdullah]] {{Saudibox_end}} King '''Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud''', [[Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques]], ({{lang-ar|خادم الحرمين الشريفين الملك عبد الله بن عبد العزيز آل سعود}}, born August [[1924]]<ref>[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-170168731.html SAUDI ARABIA - Abdullah Ibn Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud.]</ref>) is the current [[King of Saudi Arabia|King]] of the [[Kingdom of Saudi Arabia]] and Head of the [[House of Saud]]. He succeeded to the throne and assumed the title of King on the death of his half-brother, [[Fahd of Saudi Arabia|King Fahd]], [[August 1]] [[2005]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4734175.stm King Fahd of Saudi Arabia dies], ''BBC News'', [[August 1]], [[2005]]. Accessed [[March 29]], [[2008]].</ref> As Crown Prince since 1987, he had previously acted as ''[[de facto]]'' [[regent]] and thus ruler of Saudi Arabia since [[January 1]] [[1996]]<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article550375.ece "King Fahd ibn Abdel-Aziz Al Saud: The Times obituary"], ''Times Online'', [[August 1]], [[2005]]. Accessed [[March 29]], [[2008]].</ref>, when Fahd was incapacitated by a major [[stroke]]. He was formally enthroned on [[August 3]] [[2005]]. One of his sons, Prince [[Mutaib bin Abdullah|Mutaib]], serves as a deputy commander in the Saudi National Guard. Abdullah also serves as [[Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia]] and Commander of the [[Saudi National Guard]]. He is Chairman of the Supreme Economic Council, President of the High Council for Petroleum and Minerals, President of the King Abdulaziz Centre for National Dialogue, Chairman of the Council of Civil Service and Head of the Military Service Council. Abdullah is the fifth<ref>[http://www.upi.com/InternationalIntelligence/view.php?StoryID=20061227-082153-2822r "Analysis: Arabian Medicis"]</ref> son (out of 37 sons) of [[Ibn Saud|King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud]], the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, to ascend to the throne. His wealth is estimated at over $30 billion.<ref>[http://money.aol.co.uk/worlds-richest-royals/article/20060704121009990014/ "Royal's Rich List"].</ref> == Early life == King Abdullah Bin-Abd-al-Aziz Al Saud was born in [[Riyadh]] to Ibn Saud's eighth wife, [[Fahda bint Asi Al Shuraim]] of the Abde section of the [[Shammar]] tribe. She had earlier been married to the 10th [[Rashidi]] Emir, Saud, who was killed in 1920. One of of Abdallah's wives is a Syrian woman<ref>http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/gulf/abdullah.htm</ref> who is related to President Bashar Al-Assad of Syria. He was given the position of Commander of the [[Saudi Arabian National Guard]] in August 1962, the position of Second Deputy Prime Minister in March 1975 and the position of First Deputy Prime Minister in June 1982. Abdullah has had over 30 wives<ref>http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/a-saudi-state-visit-five-jumbo-jets-100-servants-several-wives-398351.html</ref><ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/oct/29/saudiarabia.matthewweaver</ref><ref>http://asianhistory.about.com/od/profilesofasianleaders/p/AbdullahProfile.htm</ref> during his lifetime, among them [[Tardi Al-Jorba]], [[Hessa Al Shaalan]], Aida, Anud, Malika, and al-Jauhara. He has at least 15 sons and 20 daughters. {{Fact|date=April 2008}} == Religion == King Abdullah has been described as a "good [[Muslim]]"<ref>http://www.csmonitor.com/2001/1101/p1s4-wome.html</ref> and follows the [[Salafi]] understanding of Islam, which is a strict [[Sunni]] interpretation of the religion based on the teachings of the first three generations of Muslims; by some, although not its devotees, this creed is labeled [[Wahhabi]]sm. ===Religious dialogue=== In March [[2008]] King Abdullah called for a dialogue among monotheistic religions consisting of [[Christianity]], [[Islam]] as well as [[Judaism]]. Abdullah's announcement marks the first proposal from a country where non-Muslims are [[Freedom of religion in Saudi Arabia|banned from publicly practicing their faith]]. Abdullah said the kingdom's [[Ulema|top clerics]] have given him approval to pursue his idea. He says he plans to get the opinion of Muslim leaders from other countries.<ref>Associated Press. [http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1725347,00.html Saudi King Calls for Interfaith Talks], ''TIME Magazine'', [[March 25]], [[2008]]. Accessed [[March 29]], [[2008]].</ref> Abdullah held a conference in June 2008 to urge Muslim leaders to speak with one voice with Jewish and Christian leaders.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7436212.stm Saudis launch Islamic unity drive], ''BBC News'', [[June 4]], [[2008]]. Accessed [[June 10]], [[2008]].</ref> Abdullah has never made any overtures for dialogue with non-monotheistic religious leaders such as [[Hindus]], [[Buddhism|Buddhists]], [[Jains]], [[Raelism|Raelist]]s and others. Although the conference discussed an important paper on the dialogue with the followers of monotheistic religions highlighting the monotheistic religions of southeast asia including Sikhism in the third axis of the fourth meeting titled "With Whom We Talk" presented by Sheikh Badrul hasan Alqasmi. The session was chaired by HE Dr. Ezz Eddin Ibrahim, Adviser to the President of the United Arab Emirates for Culture. The session also discussed a paper presented on coordination among Islamic institutions on Dialogue by Dr. / Abdullah bin Omar Nassif, Secretary General of the World Islamic Council for Preaching and relief, and a paper on dialogue with divine messages, presented by Professor / Mohammad Sammak - Secretary General of the Islamic spiritual summit/ Lebanon. The session ended by Sheikh Al Fadel alzafzaaf - Under secretary-Azhar and Chairman of the Committee for dialogue among religions formerly / Cairo discussing the futuristics of dialogue in the light of repeated abuse to islam. == War on Terrorism == Since [[May 12]] [[2003]], Saudi Arabia has faced several serious [[terrorist]] attacks, targeting primarily Western expatriates and also Saudi security forces. The attacks have included car and truck bombings as well as raids by gunmen against civilians. Several groups have been linked to the attacks, including the Saudi branches of [[Al-Qaeda]] and [[Hezbollah]], with the common motivation being resentment of the perceived pro-Western stance of the King and royal family, and their encouragement of Westerners residing in Saudi Arabia. The militants believe that the Prophet Muhammad commanded that non-Muslims should be expelled from the Arabian peninsula. The militants are especially outraged at the presence of the U.S. military in Saudi Arabia, which they see as sanctioned by the royal family. The response of King Abdullah's administration to the [[Insurgency in Saudi Arabia|insurgency]] has been a series of crackdowns including raids by security forces, arrests, torture<ref name=independent>Brown, Colin. [http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article3112811.ece Shouts of 'murderers' and 'torturers' greet King Abdullah on Palace tour], ''The Independent'', [[October 31]], [[2007]]. Accessed [[May 17]], [[2008]].</ref> and public beheadings. King Abdullah has vowed to fight terrorist ideologies within the country. On the second anniversary of the [[September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks|September 11 attack]] on the [[United States]], the then-prince wrote a letter to [[U.S. President]] [[George W. Bush]], which ended with: "[[Allah|God]] [[Almighty]], in His wisdom, tests the faithful by allowing such calamities to happen. But He, in His mercy, also provides us with the will and determination, generated by faith, to enable us to transform such tragedies into great achievements, and crises that seem debilitating are transformed into opportunities for the advancement of humanity. I only hope that, with your cooperation and leadership, a new world will emerge out of the rubble of the [[World Trade Center]]: a world that is blessed by the virtues of freedom, peace, prosperity and harmony." <ref>[http://www.saudiembassy.net/2002News/Press/PressDetail.asp?cYear=2002&cIndex=47 Crown Prince sends message to America]</ref> == Philanthropy == Abdullah paid for the surgery of a pair of [[Poland|Polish]] [[conjoined twins]], which took place at the [[King Abd al-Aziz Medical City]] in [[Riyadh]] on [[January 03]], [[2005]]. He was given "honorary citizenship" by the Polish town of [[Janikowo]], where the twins were born. Abdullah has established two libraries, one in Riyadh (the [[King Abdulaziz Library]]) and another in [[Casablanca, Morocco]]. Abdullah has donated $50 million in cash and $10 million worth of relief materials for the [[2008 Sichuan Earthquake]] in China. <ref>{{citenews|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/15/content_8176512.htm|title=More countries offer aid to quake-hit China|publisher=[[Xinhua News Agency|Xinhua]]|date=2008-05-15|accessdate=2008-05-15}}</ref> Abdullah donated $10 billion to the endowment fund of The King Abdullah University of Science & Technology in May 2008.<ref>{{citenews|url=http://www.ftchinese.com/sc/story_english.jsp?id=001019440 |title=SAUDI'S KING ABDULLAH GRANTS $10BN FOR NEW UNIVERSITY FUND |publisher=[[Financial Times]] |date=2008-05-19 |accessdate=2008-05-19}}</ref> == Criticism == On [[January 24]] [[2007]], [[Human Rights Watch]] sent an open letter to King Abdullah asking him to cease religious persecution of the [[Ahmadi]] faith in Saudi Arabia. Two letters were sent in November 2006 and February 2007 asking him to remove the travel ban on critics of the Saudi government.<ref>[http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/02/09/saudia15305.htm Letter to King Abdullah]</ref> Human Rights Watch has not yet indicated whether they have received any response to these letters. During a state visit to the UK on [[October 30]] [[2007]], Abdullah was greeted by protesters accusing him of being a 'murderer' and a 'torturer'.<ref name=independent/> Concerns were raised in the UK about the treatment of women and [[homosexuals]] by the Saudi kingdom, and also alleged bribes involved in arms deals between Saudi Arabia and the UK.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/10/30/uk.saudi/ Saudi king's royal meet draws fire], ''CNN'', [[October 31]], [[2007]]. Accessed [[June 10]], [[2008]].</ref> == Relationship with the United States == [[Image:Saudi_Crown_Prince_Abdullah_and_George_W._Bush.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[King Abdullah]] with [[George W. Bush]] at the [[Prairie Chapel Ranch]]]] In October 1976, as Prince Abdullah was being groomed for greater responsibility in Riyadh, he was sent to the [[United States]] to meet with then-President [[Gerald Ford]]. He again traveled to the United States as Crown Prince in October 1987, meeting then-Vice President [[George H. W. Bush]]. In September 1998, Crown Prince Abdullah made a [[state visit]] to the United States to meet in [[Washington, D.C.]] with then-President [[Bill Clinton]]. In September 2000, he attended [[millennium]] celebrations at the [[United Nations]] in [[New York City]]. In April 2002, Crown Prince Abdullah made a state visit to the United States with President [[George W. Bush]] and he returned again in April 2005 with President [[George W. Bush]]. As a King since late 2005, he has not visited the United States. == See also == *[[List of national leaders]] *[[King Abdullah Economic City]] *[[Abdul-Azeez ibn Abdullaah Aal ash-Shaikh]] == Notes == {{reflist}} == External links == {{commonscat}} {{Wikiquote}} *[http://www.saudiembassy.net/Country/Government/AbdullahBio.asp Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia - Bio of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz] *[http://www.cidob.org/es/documentacion/biografias_lideres_politicos/asia/arabia_saudi__1/fahd_al_saud Extended biography by CIDOB Foundation] *[http://www.frusiya.com/english/home_en2.asp Equestrian Club of Riyadh] *[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7035991.stm Saudi king details succession law] {{start box}} {{s-hou|[[House of Saud|House of Sa'ūd]]||1924||}} {{s-reg|}} {{s-bef|before=[[Fahd of Saudi Arabia|Fahd]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[List of kings of Saudi Arabia|King of Saudi Arabia]]|years=2005 – present}} {{s-inc|heir=[[Sultan bin Abdul Aziz|Crown Prince Sultan]]}} {{end box}} {{SaudiKings}} {{Arab-Israeli Conflict}} {{Persondata |NAME=Abdullah |ALTERNATIVE NAMES= عبد الله بن عبد العزيز آل سعود(Arabic non-titular name) |SHORT DESCRIPTION=King of Saudi Arabia |DATE OF BIRTH=1924 |PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Riyadh]], [[Saudi Arabia]] }} [[Category:Arab statesmen]] [[Category:Kings of Saudi Arabia]] [[Category:Current national leaders]] [[Category:Politics of Saudi Arabia]] [[Category:Reigning monarchs]] [[Category:Knights of the Golden Fleece]] [[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]] [[Category:Recipients of the Royal Victorian Chain]] [[Category:1924 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Polygamy]] [[Category:Prime Ministers of Saudi Arabia]] [[Category:Saudi Arabian billionaires]] [[Category:Nishan-e-Pakistan]] [[ar:عبد الله بن عبد العزيز آل سعود]] [[bg:Абдула бин Абдул Азис]] [[da:Abdullah af Saudi-Arabien]] [[de:Abdullah ibn Abd al-Aziz]] [[et:‘Abd Allāh ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Sa‘ūd]] [[el:Αμπντουλάχ μπιν Αμπντούλ Αζίζ Αλ-Σαούντ]] [[es:Abdalá Bin Abdelaziz]] [[eo:Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz al-Saud]] [[fr:Abdallah ben Abd al-Aziz ben Abd al-Rahman Al Saoud]] [[gl:Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud]] [[ko:압둘라 이븐 압둘 아지즈]] [[hr:Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud]] [[id:Abdullah dari Arab Saudi]] [[is:Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud]] [[it:Abd Allah dell'Arabia Saudita]] [[he:עבדאללה, מלך ערב הסעודית]] [[ml:അബ്ദുള്ള രാജാവ്]] [[ms:Abdullah ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Saud]] [[nl:Abdoellah bin Abdoel Aziz al-Saoed]] [[ja:アブドゥッラー・ビン・アブドゥルアズィーズ]] [[no:Abdullah av Saudi-Arabia]] [[nn:Abdullah av Saudi-Arabia]] [[pms:Abdullah dl'Arabia Saodita]] [[pl:Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud]] [[pt:Abdallah da Arábia Saudita]] [[ru:Абдалла ибн Абдель Азиз ас-Сауд]] [[fi:Abdullah]] [[sv:Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz]] [[tl:Abdullah ng Saudi Arabia]] [[vi:Abdullah của Ả Rập Saudi]] [[tr:Abdullah bin Abdül Aziz]] [[zh:阿卜杜拉·本·阿卜杜勒-阿齐兹·阿勒沙特]]