Saudi Arabia is an important monarchy situated in the middle east. It is home to the two holiest places in Islam, which houses millions of pilgrims and visitors from all over the world, each year. Through the years, it has gone through various developments and changes, and it has cycled through many different kings. In this article, we will discuss the number of rulers that have reigned over the Arabian kingdom.
Historically, Saudi Arabia has been ruled by many dynasties and kings. The first known leader of the region was Ibn al-Saud, who founded the First Saudi State in 1745. His descendants between 1745 and 1818 were known as the Second Saudi State. After the Second Saudi State dissolved in 1818, Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud formed the Third Saudi State in 1824 to re-establish Saudi-controlled rule in the Nejd region.
After the Third Saudi State became extinct in 1891, Saud bin Faisal replaced it and formed the Fourth Saudi State in 1902. This state was the basis of what we now know as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In 1932, Saud bin Faisal was succeeded by his brother, Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud, who built the foundation of modern-day Saudi Arabia and founded the Kingdom in 1932.
Following Abdulaziz’s death in 1953, his eldest son, Saud bin Abdulaziz, was named the second king of Saudi Arabia. As the king, Saud focused on modernizing infrastructure and improving the economy. He introduced the television broadcasting network in Saudi Arabia in 1965 and established the Saudi Arabian airline, Saudia, in 1945.
In 1964, Saud bin Abdulaziz was dethroned by his brother, Faisal bin Abdulaziz. Faisal abolished Slavery in Saudi Arabia in 1962 and empowered women by introducing economic opportunities for them. He later formed the Islamic Development Bank in 1975 to promote economic and social development in the Muslim world. In 1975, he was assassinated, and Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud succeeded him and became the third king.
Khalid continued his predecessor’s reform efforts and promoted national development initiatives. He introduced the first nationwide charity organization in Saudi Arabia. In 1982, he was replaced by his brother, Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Fahd was considered the most powerful king of Saudi Arabia in modern times. He was the first king to implement an organized government system and introduce laws.
After Fahd, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz succeeded him and became the fifth and last king of Saudi Arabia. Abdullah initiated a number of projects to improve the country’s infrastructure, and he also established the Specialized Councils of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh in 2010. In 2015, Abdullah was succeeded by his brother, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Comparison Across All Kings
All of the previous Saudi Arabian kings have played an instrumental role in shaping the present-day Kingdom. Each of them introduced a significant reforms and initiated major cultural changes to the country. Although some of them achieved more progress than others, all of these rulers worked hard to establish strong economic and political foundations for the Kingdom.
Ibn Al-Saud was the founder of the First Saudi State and was the first-ever recorded ruler of the region. Saud Bin Faisal, the founder of the Fourth Saudi State, is credited with turning Saudi Arabia into the powerful kingdom that it is today. His successor, Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud, is considered the father of modern Saudi Arabia as he re-established Saudi Arabia’s rule in the Nejd region.
Saud bin Abdulaziz, Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud firmly established the foundational structures of the country. They worked hard to modernize Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure and empower its people. Currently, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is the King of Saudi Arabia and is working hard to make the country a better place for its citizens.
Closer Look at Further Reforms
The monarchs of Saudi Arabia have not only worked hard to strengthen their nation but to also improve the standard of living of their people. For instance, Fahd bin Abdulaziz introduced a progressive version of the Islamic legal code, which granted women more freedom and rights. This law was implemented in 1992 and granted more rights to women as well as free education and free healthcare.
Additionally, the current ruler Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has continued to work for the betterment of his citizens. In 2016, he implemented a Vision 2030 project, which is focused on diversifying the oil-based industry of Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, he also improved the infrastructure of the country and increased the number of public parks and museums.
Social And Economic Progress
The current Saudi Arabian kings have also worked hard to reduce poverty and elevate the social and economic status of their people. They have increased the strength of the welfare system and implemented various budgetary and fiscal policies to stimulate growth. In recent years, there have been tremendous strides in the social and economic development of Saudi Arabia.
For instance, the average life expectancy of Saudi citizens is now 75 years, which is an increase of 11 years compared to 2000. The economy of the country has also seen a positive transformation. In 2005, the unemployment rate was 11.6%, but today it has declined to 5.3%. Furthermore, the poverty rate in the country has significantly decreased from 7.3% to 4.7%, since 2017.
Positive Impact on Citizens
The kings of Saudi Arabia have worked hard to improve the quality of life of their people. They have made sure that their citizens have access to decent education and health facilities and that their basic needs are met. The federal government has also taken steps to better the living conditions of its citizens by providing them with subsidized housing and basic utilities.
The modern-day Saudi Arabia also encourages entrepreneurship and domestic investment, which has led to the growth of the business sector. Small businesses have become increasingly popular in recent years and have seen a significant increase in employment opportunities. Furthermore, the Kingdom provides tax incentives to investors and entrepreneurs, which has resulted in a major spike in investments and economic growth.
Increasingly Open Society
In recent years, the Government of Saudi Arabia has worked hard to create an increasingly open society. They have allowed women to drive and have removed stringent restrictions on how citizens can dress. Furthermore, the religious police also has a limited role in the country now.
Additionally, the government has taken steps to improve its international image and create a more hospitable environment for tourists and foreign investors. The Government has relaxed visa policies and has improved the infrastructure and transportation networks to make it easier for people to travel around the country.
Role of International Organizations
Over the past years, international organizations have also played a major role in helping the government of Saudi Arabia improve its infrastructure and attract foreign investments. For example, the World Bank and other lenders have provided financial and technical assistance for development projects in the Kingdom.
Additionally, the United Nations also has been closely monitoring the development of Saudi Arabia and is providing assistance in the areas of human rights, women’s rights, and minority rights.
Final Overview
Saudi Arabia is a fast-developing country and it has made tremendous progress under the leadership of its successive kings. All of these monarchs have introduced different reforms and put their nation on the map. As of this day, the country continues to make progress in terms of infrastructure, tourism, and economic growth.
The economic and social reforms of the Saudi Arabian kings have resulted in a higher quality of life for its citizens, and the country is now known for its impressive growth and investments. Saudi Arabia is now considered a major power in the Middle East and its influence will only increase in the years to come.
