House of Saud 402558 222078015 2008-06-27T13:26:32Z 41.221.16.139 /* Internal opposition */ {{Politics of Saudi Arabia}} The '''House of Saud''' ('''{{lang|ar|آل سعود}}''' {{ArTranslit|Āl Suʿūd}}) is the [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] [[Muslim]] [[royal family]] of the Kingdom of [[Saudi Arabia]]. The modern nation of Saudi Arabia was established in [[1932]], though the roots and influence for the House of Saud had been planted in the [[Arabian Peninsula]] several centuries earlier. Prior to the era of the Kingdom's founder, [[Abdul-Aziz ibn Saud]], the family had ruled the [[Nejd]] and had conflicted on several occasions with the [[Ottoman Empire]], the [[Sharif of Mecca]], and the [[Al Rashid]] family of [[Ha'il]]. The House of Saud has gone through three phases: the [[First Saudi State]], the [[Second Saudi State]], and the modern nation of [[Saudi Arabia]]. The history of the Al Saud has been marked by a desire to unify the Arabian Peninsula and to spread what it promotes as a more purified and simple, though often criticized as less tolerant, view of Islam embodied by [[Wahhabism]] which has gained international controversy since the events of [[9/11]]. The House of Saud is also linked with [[Wahhabism]] (Saudis deprecate the term, preferring the term [[Salafism]]) through the marriage of the son of [[Muhammad ibn Saud]] with the daughter of [[Muhammad Abd al Wahhab]] in [[1744]]. Though some have put the family's numbers as high as 25,000,<ref name="english_aljazeera_net1">{{cite web | url = http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/FB4F0EBF-6EED-41C2-8BEE-B45147E25A69.htm | title = english.aljazeera.net | accessdate = 2007-06-19 | publisher = }}</ref> most estimates place their numbers in the region of 7,000,<ref>See for example: [http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/06/28/edsaikal_ed3_.php] [http://www.questia.com/library/encyclopedia/saud.jsp] [http://www.guardian.co.uk/afghanistan/story/0,,602854,00.html] [http://www.mongabay.com/reference/country_studies/saudi-arabia/GOVERNMENT.html]</ref> with most power and influence being wielded by the 200 or so descendants of [[King Abdul Aziz]]. The current head of the Al Saud and ruler of Saudi Arabia is [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz]] who announced, on [[20 October]] [[2006]], the creation of a committee of [[prince]]s to vote on the viability of kings and the candidature of nominated [[crown prince]]s - in effect, clarifying and further defining the Al Saud's [[Line of succession to the Saudi Arabian Throne|line of succession]] process. The committee, to be known as the [[Bay'ah Council]], or Allegiance Commission, would include all the sons and some grandsons of the late [[Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud|King Abdul-Aziz]] who would vote for one of three princes nominated by the king as [[heir apparent|Heirs Apparent]]. In the event that either the sitting king or the [[crown prince]] were deemed unfit to rule, a five-member transitory council, appointed by the Council, would be empowered to run state affairs for a maximum of one week, before naming a successor. The intent is to prevent a situation as was the case with the late [[King Fahd]], who after multiple strokes beginning in 1995, remained on the throne for 10 years, most of them without the faculties to rule. ==Title== [[Image:House of Saud rulers.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Genealogical table of the leaders of the Āl Saud.]] The House of Saud take their name from [[Muhammad ibn Saud]] ("Muhammad, son of Saud"), the ruler of [[Diriyah]] in central Arabia, and the founder of what came to be known as the [[First Saudi State]], who died in 1765. Because Muhammad ibn Saud was commonly known as "Ibn Saud" (son of Saud), the name "Al Saud", came to signify his clan. It was usurpation by the Saudi Royal Family that brought to them the whole Arabian region. The [[Hashemite]] Family presently ruling the [[Hashemite kingdom of Jordan]] are said to be the rightful rulers of [[Hejaz]] . Today, the surname "Al Saud" is carried by any descendent of Muhammad ibn Saud or his brothers, Farhan (''Al Farhan'', "sons of Farhan"), Thunayyan, and Mishari. ==History== ===Origins and early history=== The earliest recorded ancestor of the Al Saud was Mani' ibn Rabi'ah al-Muraydi, who, according to the chroniclers of [[Nejd]], settled in [[Diriyah]] in 1446-7 with his clan, the [[Mrudah]]. Mani had been invited to settle there by a relative named Ibn Dir', who was then the ruler of a set of villages and estates that make up modern-day [[Riyadh]]. Mani's clan had been on a soujorn in east Arabia, near [[al-Qatif]], from an unknown point in time. Ibn Dir' handed Mani' two estates called al-Mulaybeed and Ghusayba, which Mani' and his family settled and renamed "al-Diriyah", after their benefactor Ibn Dir'.<ref>Rentz, G. "al- Diriyya (or al-Dariyya)." Encyclopaedia of Islam. Edited by: P. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs. Brill, 2007. Brill Online. [[8 September]] [[2007]] [http://www.brillonline.nl/subscriber/entry?entry=islam_SIM-1876]</ref><ref>[[H. St. John Philby]], ''Saudi Arabia'', Ernest Benn. Place of Publication: London, 1955. p. 8 (retrieved through [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=24971493# questia])</ref> Genealogically, the Mrudah are regarded as belonging to the ancient [[Arab]] tribal confederation of [[Rabi'a]], through the branch of Wa'il. However, there is disagreement as to which branch of Wa'il they belong to. The dominant opinion in their native Nejd is that they are remnants of the now-extinct tribe of [[Bani Hanifa]], who are credited with founding most of Nejd's settlements including [[Riyadh]]. The oldest written reference to the Mrudah, a short genealogical manuscript from the 17th century, supports this view. Others, including many members of the Al Saud themselves, however, insist that they are descendants of the large [[bedouin]] [['Anizzah]] confederation of northern Arabia and the [[Syrian desert]]. The earliest written reference to this view comes from the [[Swiss]] traveler [[Johann Ludwig Burckhardt]], on the authority of Anizzah tribesmen whom he encountered in northwestern Arabia in the early 19th century. Both the 'Anizzah and the Bani Hanifa, however, are branches of the Bani Wa'il of [[Rabi'ah]].<ref>For information on the Al Sauds' genealogy see:<br/>[[Hamad al-Jasir]], ''Jamharah'' (''Compendium of the lineages of the Settled Families of Nejd'') (Arabic)<br/>Rentz, G. "al- Diriyya (or al-Dariyya)." Encyclopaedia of Islam. Edited by: P. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs. Brill, 2007. Brill Online. [[8 September]] [[2007]] [http://www.brillonline.nl/subscriber/entry?entry=islam_SIM-1876]<br/>[[C.M. Doughty]], ''[[Travels in Arabia Deserta]]'', glossary</ref> The Mrudah became rulers of al-Diriyah, which propspered along the banks of [[Wadi Hanifa]] and became an important Nejdi settlement. As the clan grew larger, power struggles ensued, with one branch leaving to nearby [[Dhruma]], while another branch (the "Al Watban") left for the town of [[az-Zubayr]] in southern [[Iraq]]. The Al Migrin ("House of Migrin") then became the ruling family among the Mrudah in Diriyah. After some initial struggles in the early 18th century, Muhammad ibn Saud, of the Al Migrin, became the undisputed ''amir'' ("prince", or ruler) of the town and its surrounding estates. In 1744, Muhammad ibn Saud took in a fugitive religious cleric named [[Muhammad ibn Abdel Wahhab]], from nearby [[al-Uyayna]]. Ibn Saud agreed to provide political support to Ibn Abd al-Wahhab's project to reform [[Islamic]] practice, which Ibn Abd al-Wahhab believed had strayed far from the ideals set by the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] and his [[Sahaba|companions]]. This marked the beginning of the [[First Saudi State]]. Later on, Saudi loyalists came to refer to Muhammad ibn Saud and his successors by the title of "[[Imam]]", signifying that they saw the [[emir]] of [[Dir'iyyah]] as the temporal leader of an Islamic state, rather than simply another clan leader or village ruler. ===First Saudi Dynasty=== {{main|First Saudi State}} The period beginning from 1744 is usually referred to by historians as the [[First Saudi State]]. This period was marked by conquest of neighboring areas and by religious zeal. At its height, the First Saudi State included most of the territory of modern-day [[Saudi Arabia]], and raids by Al Saud's allies and followers reached into [[Yemen]], [[Oman]], [[Syria]], and [[Iraq]]. Islamic clergy, particularly [[Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab]] and his descendents, are believed to have played a significant role in Saudi rule during this period. The Saudis and their allies referred to themselves during this period as the ''Muwahhidun'' or ''Ahl al-Tawhid'' ("the monotheists"), while others often referred to them as the [[Wahhabis]]. Leadership of the Al Saud during the time of their first state passed from father to son without incident. The first imam, Muhammad ibn Saud, was succeeded by his eldest son [[Abdul Aziz ibn Muhammad ibn Saud|Abdul Aziz]] in 1765. Abdul Aziz was killed in [[1803]] by an assassin, believed by some to have been a [[Shi'ite]] seeking revenge over the sacking of the Shi'ite holy city of [[Karbala]] by Saudi loyalists in [[1802]]. Abdul Aziz was in turn succeeded by his son, [[Saud ibn Abdul Aziz ibn Muhammad ibn Saud|Saud]], under whose rule the Saudi state reached its greatest extent. By the time Saud died in 1814, his son and successor [[Abdullah ibn Saud|Abdullah]] had to contend with an [[Ottoman-Saudi War|Ottoman-Egyptian invasion]] seeking to retake lost [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] territory and destroy the [[Wahhabism|Wahhabi movement]]. The mainly-Egyptian force succeeded in defeating Abdullah's forces, taking over the Saudi capital of [[Dir'iyyah]] in 1818. Abdullah was taken prisoner and was soon beheaded by the Ottomans in [[Constantinople]], putting an end to the First Saudi State. The Egyptians sent many members of the Al Saud clan and other members of the local nobility as prisoners to [[Egypt]] and [[Constantinople]], and proceeded to raze the Saudi capital of [[Dir'iyyah]]. ===Second Saudi Dynasty=== {{main|Second Saudi State}} A few years after the fall of [[Dir'iyyah]] in [[1818]], the Saudis were able to re-establish their authority in [[Nejd]], establishing what is now commonly known as the [[Second Saudi State]], with its capital in [[Riyadh]]. Compared to the [[First Saudi State]], the second Saudi period was marked by less territorial expansion (it never reconquered the [[Hejaz]] or [['Asir]], for example) and less religious zeal, although the Saudi leaders continued to go by the title of ''imam'' and still employed [[Wahhabist]] religious scholars. The second state was also marked by severe internal conflicts within the Saudi family, eventually leading to the dynasty's downfall. In all but one instance succession occurred by assassination or civil war, the exception being the passage of authority from [[Faisal ibn Turki]] to his son [[Abdallah ibn Faisal ibn Turki]]. The first Saudi to attempt to regain power after the fall of [[Dir'iyyah]] in [[1818]] was [[Mishari ibn Saud]], a brother of the last ruler in Dir'iyyah. Mishari was soon captured by the Egyptians and killed. In 1824, [[Turki ibn 'Abdallah]], another Saudi who had managed to evade capture by the Egyptians, was able to expel Egyptian forces and their local allies from [[Riyadh]] and its environs. Turki, a grandson of the first Saudi imam [[Muhammad ibn Saud]], is generally regarded as the founder of the second Saudi dynasty and is also the ancestor of the kings of modern-day [[Saudi Arabia]]. He made his capital in Riyadh and was able to enlist the services of many relatives who had escaped captivity in Egypt, including his son [[Faisal ibn Turki Al Saud|Faisal]]. Turki was assassinated in [[1834]] by [[Mishari ibn Abd al-Rahman]], a distant cousin. Mishari was soon besieged in [[Riyadh]] and later executed by Turki's son, Faisal, who went on to become the most prominent ruler of the Saudis' second reign. Faisal, however, faced a re-invasion of Nejd by the Egyptians four years later. The local population was unwilling to resist, and Faisal was defeated and taken to [[Egypt]] as a prisoner for the second time in [[1838]]. The Egyptians installed [[Khalid ibn Saud]] as ruler in Riyadh and supported him with Egyptian troops. Khalid was the last surviving brother of the last imam of the First Saudi State, and had spent many years in the Egyptian court. In [[1840]], however, external conflicts forced the Egyptians to withdraw all their presence in the [[Arabian Peninsula]], leaving Khalid with little support. Seen by most locals as nothing more than an Egyptian governor, Khalid was toppled soon afterwards by [[Abdullah ibn Thuniyyan]], of the collateral Al Thuniyyan branch. Faisal, however, had been released that year, and, aided by the [[Al Rashid]] rulers of [[Ha'il]], was able to retake Riyadh and resume his rule. Faisal later appointed his son Abdallah as [[crown prince]], and divided his dominions between his three sons Abdullah, Saud, and Muhammad. Upon Faisal's death in 1865, Abdallah assumed rule in Riyadh but was soon challenged by his brother, [[Saud ibn Faisal]]. The two brothers fought a long civil war, in which they traded rule in Riyadh several times. Previously a vassal of the Saudis, [[Muhammad ibn Abdallah ibn Rashid]] of [[Ha'il]] took the opportunity to intervene in the conflict and increase his own power. Gradually, Ibn Rashid extended his authority over most of Nejd, including the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Ibn Rashid finally expelled the last Saudi leader, [[Abdul Rahman ibn Faisal]], from Nejd after the [[Battle of Mulayda]] in [[1891]]. ===Third Saudi Dynasty=== {{main|Unification of Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabia}} After his defeat at Mulayda, Abdul Rahman ibn Faisal went with his family into exile in the deserts of eastern [[Arabia]] among the [[Al Murra]] [[bedouins]]. Soon afterwards, however, Abdul Rahman found refuge in [[Kuwait]] as a guest of the Kuwaiti [[emir]], [[Mubarak Al Sabah]]. In 1902, Abdul Rahman's son, [[Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia|Abdul Aziz]], took on the task of restoring Saudi rule in [[Riyadh]]. Supported by a few dozen followers and accompanied by some of his brothers and relatives, Abdul Aziz was able to capture Riyadh's [[Masmak fort]] and kill the governor appointed there by [[Ibn Rashid]]. Abdul Aziz, reported to have been barely 20 at the time, was immediately proclaimed ruler in Riyadh. As the new leader of the House of Saud, Abdul Aziz became commonly known from that time simply as "Ibn Saud" ("son of Saud"). Ibn Saud spent the next three decades trying to re-establish his family's rule over as much of the Arabian Peninsula as possible, starting with his native [[Nejd]]. His chief rivals were the [[Al Rashid]] clan in [[Ha'il]], the [[Sharifs of Mecca]] in the [[Hejaz]], and the [[Ottoman Turks]] in [[al-Hasa]]. Ibn Saud also had to contend, however, with the descendents of his late uncle [[Saud ibn Faisal]] (later known as the "Saud al-Kabir" branch of the family), who posed as the rightful heirs to the throne. Though for a time acknowledging the sovereignty of the [[Ottoman Sultans]] and even taking the title of ''[[pasha]]'', Ibn Saud allied himself to the [[United Kingdom|British]], in opposition to the Ottoman-backed [[Al Rashid]]. For the period between 1915 and 1927, Ibn Saud's dominions was a protectorate of the [[British Empire]], pursuant to the [[1915]] [[Treaty of Darin]]. By 1932, Ibn Saud had disposed of all his main rivals and consolidated his rule over much of the Arabian Peninsula. He declared himself king of the [[Kingdom of Saudi Arabia]] that year. Previously, he had gone through several titles, starting with "Sultan of Nejd" ane ending with "King of Hejaz and Nejd and their dependencies." Ibn Saud's father, [[Abdul Rahman ibn Faisal|Abdul Rahman]] retained the honorary title of "imam." A few years later, in [[1937]], [[United States|American]] surveyors discovered near [[Dammam]] what later proved to be Saudi Arabia's vast [[petroleum|oil]] reserves. Ibn Saud fathered dozens of sons and daughters by his many wives and concubines. He made sure to marry into many of the noble clans and tribes within his territory, including the chiefs of the [[Bani Khalid]], [[Ajman (tribe)|Ajman]], and [[Shammar]] tribes, as well as the Al al-Shaikh (descendents of [[Ibn Abd al-Wahhab]]). He also arranged for his sons and relatives to enter into similar marriages. He appointed his eldest surviving son, [[Saud of Saudi Arabia|Saud]] as [[heir apparent]], to be succeeded by the next eldest son, [[Faisal of Saudi Arabia|Faisal]]. The Saudi family became known as the "royal family," and each member, male and female, was accorded the title of ''amir'' or ''amira'' ("prince" or "princess"), respectively. Ibn Saud died in [[1953]], but not after having cemented an alliance with the [[United States]] in [[1945]]. He is still celebrated officially as the "Founder," and only his direct descendents may take on the title of "his or her Royal Highness." The date of his recapture of Riyadh in 1902 was chosen to mark Saudi Arabia's centennial in 1999 (according to the Islamic [[lunar calendar]]). Upon Ibn Saud's death, his son Saud assumed the throne without incident, but his lavish spending led to a power struggle between him and the new crown prince, Faisal. In 1964, the royal family forced Saud to abdicate in favor of Faisal, aided by an edict from the country's grand [[mufti]]. During this period, some of Ibn Saud's younger sons, led by [[Talal ibn Abdul Aziz]] defected to [[Egypt]], calling themselves the "[[Free Princes]]" and calling for liberalization and reform, but were later induced to return by Faisal. They were fully-pardoned but were also barred from any future positions in government. Faisal was assassinated in 1975 by a nephew, [[Faisal ibn Musa'ad]], who was then promptly executed. Another brother, [[Khalid of Saudi Arabia|Khalid]] assumed the throne. The next prince in line had actually been [[Muhammad ibn Abdul Aziz|Muhammad]], but Muhammad had relinquished his claim to the throne in favor of Khalid, who was his only full brother. Khalid died of a heart attack in 1982, and was succeeded by [[Fahad of Saudi Arabia|Fahad]], the eldest of the powerful "[[Sudairi Seven]]", so-called because they were all sons of Ibn Saud's wife, Hassa al-Sudairi. Fahad did away with the previous royal title of "his Majesty" and replaced it with the honorific "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques," in reference to the two Islamic holy sites in [[Mecca]] and [[Medina]]. A stroke in [[1993]] left Fahad largely incapacitated, and the crown prince, [[Abdallah of Saudi Arabia|Abdallah]] gradually took over most of the king's responsibilities until Fahad's death in August of [[2005]]. Abdallah was proclaimed king on the day of Fahad's death and promptly appointed his younger brother [[Sultan ibn Abdul Aziz]], the minister of defense and Fahad's "second deputy prime minister," as the new heir apparent. Unlike Fahad, however, Abdallah declined to name a "second deputy," who would presumably be the next crown prince. Instead, Abdallah later announced the formation of a "[[Council of Allegiance]]" to select future kings. ==Branches== <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Thekingwithhisfamily.jpg|thumb|200px|King Abdulaziz with his sons]] --> Sons of Abdul Aziz ([[Ibn Saud]], the founder of the modern Saudi state) have been, thus far, the only eligible candidates allowed to serve as King or Crown Prince. As a result of the aging of this pool (there are an estimated 22 surviving sons, the oldest being in their mid 80s and the youngest in their 60s), a decree by the late King Fahd expanded the candidates to include the male progeny of [[King Abdul Aziz]]'s sons. This decree has expanded the pool to over 150 eligibles, though consensus and competency would limit this number. Sons and grandsons of King Abdul Aziz are referred to in the [[Style (manner of address)|style]] "His [[Royal Highness]]," differing from the royals belonging to the '''[[cadet branch|Cadet line]]''' which are given the "His Highness" (HH) honorific. The ''Cadet line'' includes the [[Saud al-Kabir]], the [[Al Jiluwi]], the [[Al Thunayan]],and the [[Al Farhan]], all of which are branches of the [[Al Saud]]. Many of the Cadet Line royals hold senior government and military positions, or are in business. Intermarriage between branches is a common way of establishing alliances and reinforcing influence. Though members of the Cadet line are not in contention for the throne, there are some with seniority who command respect and often wield tremendous power. ==Political power== The Head of the House of Saud is the [[King of Saudi Arabia]] who serves as [[Head of State]] and [[monarch]] of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The King holds almost absolute political power. The King appoints ministers to his cabinet who supervise their respective ministries in his name. The key ministries of Defence, the Interior, and Foreign Affairs are reserved for the [[House of Saud|Al Saud]], as are most of the thirteen regional governorships. Most portfolios, however, such as Finance, Labor, Information, Planning, Petroleum Affairs and Industry, have traditionally been given to commoners, often with junior [[House of Saud|Al Saud]] members serving as their deputies. House of Saud family members also hold many of the Kingdom's critical military and governmental departmental posts. Ultimate power in the Kingdom has always rested upon the [[Al Saud]] though support from the [[Ulema]], the merchant community, and the population-at-large has been a key to the maintenance of the royal family's political status quo. Long term political and government appointments, such as those of [[Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz|King Abdullah]], who has been Commander of the [[Saudi Arabian National Guard|National Guard]] since 1963, Crown [[Prince Sultan]], Minister of Defence & Aviation since 1962, [[Mutaib bin Abdul Aziz|Prince Mutaib]] Minister of Municipal & Rural Affairs since 1975, [[Nayef bin Abdul Aziz|Prince Nayef]] who has been the Minister of Interior since 1975, and [[Salman bin Abdul Aziz|Prince Salman]], who has been Governor of the [[Riyadh]] Region since 1962, have perpetuated the creation of [[fiefdoms]] where senior princes have, often, though not exclusively, co-mingled their personal wealth with that of their respective domains. They have often appointed their own sons to senior positions within their own [[fiefdom]]. Examples of these include Prince [[Mutaib bin Abdullah]] as Assistant Commander in the National Guard; Prince [[Khalid bin Sultan]] as Assistant Minister of Defence; Prince Mansour bin Mutaib as Assistant Minister for Municipal & Rural Affairs; and Prince Mohammed bin Nayef as Assistant Minister in the Interior Ministry. In cases, where portfolios have notably substantial budgets, appointments of younger, often full, brothers have been necessary, as deputies or vice ministers, ostensibly to share the wealth and the burdens of responsibility, of each fiefdom. Examples of these include [[Abd al-Rahman bin Abdul Aziz|Prince Abd-al Rahman]] who is Vice Minister of Defence & Aviation under [[Prince Sultan]]; [[Badr bin Abdul Aziz|Prince Badr]], Deputy to [[Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz|King Abdullah]] in the National Guard; [[Sattam bin Abdul Aziz|Prince Sattam]], who is Deputy to [[Riyadh]] Governor, [[Salman bin Abdul Aziz|Prince Salman]]; and [[Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz|Prince Ahmed]], who holds the Deputy Minister's portfolio in [[Nayef bin Abdul Aziz|Prince Nayef]]'s Interior Ministry. Unlike Western [[royal families]], the Saudi Monarchy has not had a clearly defined [[Line of succession to the Saudi Arabian Throne|order of succession]]. Historically, upon becoming King, the monarch has designated an [[heir apparent]] to the throne who serves as [[Crown Prince]] of the Kingdom. Upon the King's death the Crown Prince becomes King, and during the King's incapacitation the Crown Prince, likewise, assumes power as [[regent]]. Though other members of the [[House of Saud|Al Saud]] hold political positions in the Saudi government, technically it is only the King and Crown Prince who legally constitute the political institutions. ==Succession== [[Line of succession to the Saudi Arabian Throne|Succession]] to the throne has traditionally been by consensus and, although age remains an influential factor within the family, senior princes have been bypassed, either by their own unwillingness or inability to rule, to build the consensus necessary primarily from within the royal family, but also from the clerical and merchant communities. The [[Bay'ah Council]], whose membership is restricted to the surviving sons and senior grandsons of the late King [[Abdul-Aziz]], ushers in a public face to this well-tried traditional process. Though nominally head of the royal family, both Kings [[Khalid]] and [[Fahd]] respected and often deferred family matters (which often had intricate links to broader government procedures and policies) to their older brother, [[Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud]] (who had stepped aside from succession) during Mohammed's lifetime. This tradition continues today; neither Princes [[Bandar bin Abdul Aziz]] nor [[Mishaal bin Abdul Aziz]] (both older than Crown [[Prince Sultan]]) hold any official role in government but both are key players in the Kingdom's political hierarchy. Sons of former kings [[Faisal]], [[Khalid]], [[Fahd]], and, to a lesser extent, [[Saud]], including those not in government, also maintain significant political & family influence, and are expected to participate on the [[Bay'ah Council]]. In contradiction to widely held opinions, senior princesses also wield significant, albeit private, influence in royal family politics. ==Wealth== The sharing of family wealth has been a critical component in maintaining the semblance of a united front within the royal family. An essential part of family wealth is the Kingdom in its entirety, which the [[House of Saud|Al Saud]] view as a totally owned family asset. Whether through the co-mingling of personal & state funds from lucrative government positions, huge land allocations, direct allotments of crude oil to sell in the open market, segmental controls in the economy, special preferences for the award of major contracts, outright cash handouts, and astronomical monthly allowances, - all billed to the national exchequer - all told, the financial impact may have exceeded 40% of the Kingdom's annual budget during the reign of [[King Fahd]]. Over decades of oil revenue-generated expansion, estimates of royal receipts have varied, ranging as low as an unlikely $50 billion and as high as over $1 trillion. {{Fact|date=October 2007}} Be it what it may, wealth-sharing of this sort has allowed many of the senior princes & princesses to accumulate largely unauditable wealth and, in turn, pay out, in cash or kind, to lesser royals and commoners, and thereby gaining political influence through their own largesse. During periods of high oil prices as were the late 70s, early 80s, and immediately after the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, national income has outpaced the developmental needs & social obligations of the Saudi government and the effects of royal skimming were diminished. From the mid 80s through the 90s, when international crude oil prices dropped to the teens and below, the subsequent shortfall in income, and the availability of surprisingly limited financial reserves (when compared to such countries as [[Kuwait]] and the [[United Arab Emirates]] which continued to grow during crude price droughts because of dividends generated from years of prudent investments) may have contributed to growing national discontent with the [[House of Saud|Al Saud]] and planted the seeds for the growth of Al-Qaeda sympathizers in the Kingdom. According to well-publicized but unsubstantiated reports, [[Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz|King Abdullah]] has intentions to reduce the [[House of Saud|Al Saud]] share of the budget, an act which may sow discontent within the royal family, but would be popular with the Kingdom's citizenry. ==Opposition to the House of Sa'ud== ===Internal opposition=== Due to its authoritarian and theocratic rule, the House of Saud has attracted much criticism during its rule of [[Saudi Arabia]]. Its opponents generally refer to the Saudi monarchy as totalitarians or [[dictator]]s. There have been numerous incidents of demonstrations and other forms of resistance against the House of Saud. These range from the [[Ikhwan]] uprising during the reign of [[Ibn Saud]], to numerous coup attempts by the different branches of the [[Saudi Arabia|Kingdom's]] military. On [[November 20]], [[1979]] the [[al-Masjid al-Haram|Holy Sanctuary]] in [[Mecca]] was violently seized by a group of dissidents. The [[Grand Mosque Seizure|Seizure]] was carried out by 500 heavily armed and provisioned Saudi Dissidents, consisting mostly of members of the former [[Ikhwan]] tribe of [[Utayba]]<ref> The Middle East Review of International Affairs [http://meria.idc.ac.il/journal/1997/issue2/jv1n2a8.html State, Islam and 0pposition in Saudi Arabia: The Post Desert-Storm Phase.] Retrieved on 2006-12-29</ref> but also of other peninsular Arabs and a few Egyptians enrolled in Islamic studies at the Islamic University of Medina. The seizure was led by [[Juhayman al-Otaibi]] and [[Muhammad bin 'Abdallah al-Qahtani]] who cited the corruption and ostentatiousness of the ruling house of [[Saud]]. Utaybi and his group spoke against the socio–technological changes taking place in [[Saudi Arabia]]. Utaybi demanded that oil should not be sold to the [[United States]]. Utaybi also spoke against the stranglehold on the interpretation and development of [[Wahhabi]] [[Islam]] placed on it by the [[Saudi]] regime in a corrupt alliance with the [[Ulema]] of Saudi Arabia.<ref> J.A. Kechichican, "Islamic Revivalism and Change in Saudi Arabia: Juhayman al-'Utaybi's 'Letters to the Saudi People'", The Muslim World, Vol.50 (1990) pp. 1-16.</ref> Utaybi received little mass support outside of small circles of manual workers and students of tribal origin, of the lower classes and foreign labourers (from Egypt, Yemen and Pakistan.) The [[Saudi]] Royal family turned to the [[Ulema]] who duly issued a fatwa permitting the storming of the holy sanctuary. Saudi forces, aided by [[France|French]] commandos, took two weeks to flush the rebels out of the holy sanctuary; the use of foreign commandos was particularly surprising since, officially, non-Muslims cannot enter the city of Mecca.<ref>[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14623518 NPR: Did 'Siege of Mecca' Give Birth to Al-Qaida?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Saudi forces with the aid of French Commandos ejected Utaybi’s Group. All surviving males (including [[Juhaiman ibn Muhammad ibn Saif al-Utaybi]]) were [[decapitation|beheaded]] publicly in four cities of [[Saudi Arabia]].<ref> Global Security Org; Mecca [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/gulf/mecca.htm globalsecurity.org] Retrieved on 2006-12-29</ref> ===International opposition=== The Saudi monarchy has been an ally of the [[United States]] for over five decades. Since the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], however, there has been a large anti-Saudi shift in U.S. public opinion, as well as a call to review the relationship. American politicians on both sides of the political spectrum have questioned the relationship; and the US media have raised doubts about the Kingdom's reliability. As the world's largest producer of crude oil, Saudi Arabia has received the brunt of the public's ire, particularly when gasoline prices fluctuate upwards. Lucrative oil and business ventures and contracts that have recently been awarded to non-US firms have also raised the question of whether Saudi Arabia is committed to the United States. Opponents of the regime accuse the US government of backing or propping-up "Saudi tyranny," but supporters point out that the House of Saud's consistent reliability to US administrations since [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]]'s presidency has been key to US influence in the region and amongst [[Muslim]] nations, where the Saudis, as hosts of the Holy Cities of [[Mecca]] & [[Medina]] and a donor of significance, garner respect and influence. Financially, the largest beneficiaries of the Kingdom's hydrocarbon-fueled growth included US corporations, such as [[Exxon-Mobil]], [[Chevron Corporation|Chevron]], [[Bechtel]], [[Fluor Corp.]], [[Raytheon]], [[Northrop Grumman]], [[Boeing]], [[JP Morgan Chase]], [[Citicorp]], [[IBM]], [[Procter & Gamble]], [[Kraft]], and [[General Foods]]. Opponents of the Saudi regime question whether Saudi Arabia's internal policy, developed on a foundation of the very conservative [[Wahhabi]] Islamic tradition, is the root cause for the September 11, 2001 attacks. Supporters argue that political stability in the Kingdom, its moderate international stance, and the subsequent unrestricted flow of crude oil, is an essential component to the international community's continued financial well-being. Internal strife and international doubts aside, supporters argue, the rulers in Riyadh have reliably offered this stability for decades. ==Heads of the House of Sa'ud== ===First Saudi state=== *[[Muhammad bin Saud]] *[[Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad bin Saud]] *[[Saud bin Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad Al Saud]] *[[Abdullah bin Saud]] ===Second Saudi state=== *[[Turki ibn Abdallah]] *[[Faisal ibn Turki Al Saud|Faisal ibn Turki]] (first period) *[[Khalid ibn Saud]] (appointed by the [[History of Egypt under the Muhammad Ali dynasty|Egyptians]]) *[[Abdullah ibn Thunayyan]] *[[Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud|Faisal ibn Turki]] (second period) *[[Saud ibn Faisal]] *[[Abdullah ibn Faisal]] *[[Abdulrahman ibn Faisal]] ===Kingdom of Saudi Arabia=== [[Image:Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.jpg|150px|thumb|King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz. (2002 photo)]] *[[Ibn Saud|King Abdul-Aziz bin Abdul-Rahman Al Saud]] *[[Saud of Saudi Arabia|King Saud bin Abdul-Aziz]] *[[Faisal of Saudi Arabia|King Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz]] *[[King Khalid|King Khalid bin Abdul-Aziz]] *[[Fahd of Saudi Arabia|King Fahd bin Abdul-Aziz]] *[[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz]] ==Most notable current members== ===Sons of Abdul Aziz ibn Sa'ud=== *[[Bandar bin Abdul Aziz]] (1923-) - Has never held a government post but considered close to [[King Abdullah]]. Reputed to be religious, and possibly a recluse. *[[Musa'id bin Abdul Aziz]] (1923-) - Older son, Khalid, was killed in a shootout with police in the early 1960s while demonstrating against the Kingdom's introduction of television. Younger son, Faisal, was [[Faisal of Saudi Arabia|King Faisal]]'s assassin a decade later, for which he was beheaded. Mus'aid is reported to be religious, eccentric and a recluse. *[[Mishaal bin Abdul Aziz]] (1926-)- Former Minister of Defence. Highly influential and close confidant of [[King Abdullah]], Mishaal is one of the Kingdom's wealthiest royals with extensive interests in real estate and a wide range of business interests. *[[Sultan bin Abdul Aziz|Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz]] (1926-) *[[Abd al-Rahman bin Abdul Aziz]] (1931-) - Appointed Vice-Minister of Defence on 1978 replacing younger brother, Turki, who was reportedly unfit for the position. Extremely wealthy with extensive business interests. With full brother, Crown [[Prince Sultan]]'s impaired health and waning desire for greater power, Abd al-Rahman has reinforced his influence in the royal family, emerging as the preeminent persona in the royal family's [[Sudairi]] faction. *[[Mutaib bin Abdul Aziz]] (1931-) - Long time Minister for Municipal & Rural Affairs, and former Governor of [[Makkah]]. His profile and influence have greatly increased due to a lengthy tenure in government and a long standing family alliance with [[King Abdullah]] and his only surviving full brother, [[Mishaal bin Abdul Aziz|Mishaal]]. *[[Talal bin Abdul Aziz]] (1931-) - Has held the ministerial portfolios for Finance and Communications. Major businessman, special envoy to UNESCO and Chairman of AGFUND. May not be a contender for the throne for his leading role in the [[Free Princes]] movement of 1958 which sought government reform. Father of [[Al-Waleed bin Talal]]. *[[Badr bin Abdul Aziz]] (1933-) - Long time Deputy Commander of National Guard. Participated in the [[Free Princes]] movement in 1958 and rehabilitated by [[King Faisal]] a decade later. *[[Nawwaf bin Abdul Aziz]] (1933-) - Senior advisor of [[King Abdullah]], former Minister of Finance and, briefly, Director General of the [[Al Mukhabarat Al A'amah|General Intelligence Directorate]]. Has substantial business holdings. *[[Nayef bin Abdul Aziz|Nayef bin Abdul Aziz (1933-)]] - Powerful Minister of Interior who may not be as strong a contender for the throne as previously believed. Nayef's inability to muster the necessary consensus to attain the hitherto vacant Second Deputy Prime Minister's position, may portend his diminishing influence and strong objections from other royals. *[[Turki bin Abdul Aziz]] (1934-) - Businessman after he was forced to resign as Deputy Minister of Defence in 1978. *[[Fawwaz bin Abdul Aziz]] (1934-) -Participated in the [[Free Princes]] movement in 1958 and rehabilitated by [[King Faisal]] as Governor of [[Makkah]]. Forced to resign by [[King Khalid]] following the [[Grand Mosque Seizure|seizure of the Grand Mosque in Makkah]] of 1979. *[[Abdulilah bin Abdul Aziz]] (1935-) - Former Governor of [[Al Jawf Province]]. Resigned. *[[Salman bin Abdul Aziz|Salman bin Abdul Aziz (1936-)]] - Powerful Governor of [[Riyadh]] Region. Is considered a mediator between differing Royal Family factions. Diminishing health and the death of his two oldest sons within a 12 month period has, reportedly, dampened a desire for the throne. *[[Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz]] (1940-) - Deputy Minister of Interior, with a reputation for 'getting the job done,' since 1975. He has remained in the shadow of brother,[[Prince Nayef]], though Ahmed may be the stronger candidate for succession. *[[Mamdouh bin Abdul Aziz]] (1940-) - Former Governor of [[Tabuk]] region who was removed from the post by [[King Fahd]] for insubordination. Later Director of Saudi Center of Strategic Studies. *[[Sattam bin Abdul Aziz]] (1943-) - Deputy Governor of [[Riyadh]] region since 1968. *[[Muqran bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud|Muqran bin Abdul Aziz]] (1945-) - Director General of the [[Al Mukhabarat Al A'amah|General Intelligence Directorate]]. Former Governor for [[Ha'il]] & [[Madinah]] regions. *Hazlol bin Abdul Aziz (1945-) ===Grandsons of Abdul Aziz ibn Sa'ud=== *[[Muhammed bin Saud]] (1934-) - Governor of [[Al Bahah|Baha]] Province. *[[Abdallah al-Khalid]](1935-) - Chairman of the [[King Khalid Foundation]]. *[[Mohammed al Faisal]] (1937-) - Former Deputy minister for Agriculture. Founder and Chairman of [[DMI Trust]] and the [[Faisal Islamic Bank]] Group, the world's largest Islamic financial organizations; member of the Board of Trustees for the prestigious [[King Faisal Foundation]]. *[[Khalid al Faisal]] (1941-) - poet, Governor of the [[Makkah]] Province and Managing Director of the [[King Faisal Foundation]]. *[[Saud bin Faisal bin Abdul Aziz|Saud al Faisal]] (1941-) - Long serving Foreign Minister and close [[confidant]] of [[King Abdullah]]. May have stepped aside as a succession candidate due to possibly, debilitating health concerns but is highly respected both inside the kingdom and internationally. Member of the Board of Trustees for the prestigious [[King Faisal Foundation]]. *[[Mutaib bin Abdullah]] (1943-) Competent Assistant Commander of the National Guard. *[[Faisal bin Bandar]] (1943-)- Governor of [[Qasim]] Province. *[[Turki bin Faisal Al Saud|Turki al Faisal]] (1945-)- Adept Ambassador to Washington D.C. until his surprise resignation on [[December 12]], [[2006]]. Has received intense western media criticism for allegedly mishandling the growth of [[Al Qaeda]] during his long tenure as the head of Saudi Arabia's [[Al Mukhabarat Al A'amah|General Intelligence Directorate]], where he oversaw Saudi Arabia's official and non official aid to the [[Mujahideen]] fighters during the [[Afghan Civil War]]. His short tenure as Ambassador to Britain received wide accolades for his professionalism. Member of the Board of Trustees for the [[King Faisal Foundation]]. *[[Saud bin Abdul Mohsin]] (1947-)- Low profiled well regarded Governor of [[Ha'il]] Province. Father was late Prince Abdul Mohsin bin Abdul Aziz (1925-1985), much loved and repected Governor of [[Madinah]]. *[[Khalid bin Sultan]] (1949-)- Assistant Minister of Defence. Led Saudi military forces during first Gulf War. Considered both competent and arrogant but accumulation of extensive assets and wealth through his positions in government may hinder political future. *[[Mohammed bin Fahd]] (1950-)- Competent Governor of the [[Eastern Province]] and son of late [[King Fahd]]. His vast business interests, much of it acquired from his position, may be a negative factor for future roles. *[[Bandar bin Sultan]] (1950-)- Long serving Ambassador to US, maintaining close relations with the [[Bush Family]] and others across the political spectrum. Reportedly used his position to accumulate great wealth which, in addition to Bandar's lack of in-country popularity, may deter family consensus supporting future roles. [[King Abdullah]], whose support he enjoys, appointed Bandar Secretary-General of the newly created National Security Council in October of 2005. *[[Mohammed bin Nawwaf bin Abdul Aziz|Mohammed bin Nawwaf]] (1953-) - Saudi Ambassador to [[London]]. Gained kudos as competent former Ambassador to Italy. His growing prominence is closely connected to [[King Abdullah]]'s trust & confidence with his father, [[Nawwaf bin Abdul Aziz|Prince Nawwaf]]. *[[Al-Walid ibn Talal (1955-)]] - Has gained stature as a world class investor and is consistently ranked among [[Forbes]] magazine's wealthiest billionaires. Source of wealth reported to include private investments from other royals. *[[Saud bin Nayef]] (1956-) - Saudi Ambassador to [[Spain]]. Former Deputy Governor of the [[Eastern Province]]. *[[Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud|Sultan bin Salman]] (1956-)- Former astronaut and Secretary General of Supreme Commission for Tourism. *[[Mohammed bin Nayef]] (1959-) - Assistant Minister for Security Affairs in the Interior Ministry. He has taken over many of his father's ([[Prince Nayef]]'s) duties including the day to day operations against [[Al Qaeda]]. *[[Faisal bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud|Faisal bin Salman]] (1960-) - Chairman of [[Saudi Research and Marketing Group]], the Middle East's largest vertically integrated publishing group. *[[Abdulaziz bin Fahd]] (1973-)- Youngest, and reportedly, favorite son of late [[King Fahd]]. Minister of State and Cabinet Member though his power & political potential are in decline since his father's death in August 2005 - his finances remain controversial and substantial. ==Bibliography== * ''The House of Saud'' by [[David Holden]] and Richard Johns. Contains 538 pages, plus bibliography, index, and family history, also sections of Black and White plates.<ref> Detail taken from ''The House of Saud'', a reprint. First published by Sidgwick and Jackson in 1981 with an ISBN 0 283 98436 8 </ref> ==See also== *[[Sudairi Seven]] *[[King of Saudi Arabia]] *[[Saudi Royal Guard Regiment]] *[[The Two Faces of Islam]] == References == {{reflist|colwidth=60em}} * [[Alexei Vassiliev]], ''The History of Saudi Arabia'', London, UK: Al Saqi Books, 1998 * [[David Holden]] & Richard Johns, ''The House of Saud'', Pan, 1982, 0-330-26834-1 * [[Madawi Al-Rasheed]], ''A History of Saudi Arabia'', Cambridge University Press, 2002, ISBN 0-521-64412-7 == External links == *[http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/saud/cron/ A Chronology: The House of Saud |PBS] *[http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/saud/tree/ The House of Saud - A View of the Modern Saudi Dynasty: A Royal Family Tree |PBS] *[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/gulf/images/sa01_06b.pdf A PDF file showing the structure of the House from globalsecurity.org (requires Adobe Acrobat)] *[http://www.datarabia.com/royals/familytree.do Saudi Royal Family Directory > Family Tree] [[Category:Saudi royal family| ]] [[Category:Arab groups]] [[Category:Muslim dynasties]] [[Category:Middle Eastern royal families|Saud, House of]] [[ar:آل سعود]] [[de:Dynastie der Saud]] [[es:Casa de Saud]] [[fr:Famille princière Ibn Saoud]] [[gl:Casa de Saud]] [[id:Wangsa Saud]] [[he:בית סעוד]] [[nl:Huis van Saoed]] [[ja:サウード家]] [[pl:Saudowie]] [[ru:Саудиды]] [[sv:Huset Saud]]