Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Passes Away, Key Figure in Eastern Saudi Development

Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Passes Away, Key Figure in Eastern Saudi Development

Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Court announced on Tuesday the passing of Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, the second son of the late King Fahd bin Abdulaziz. His mother was Princess Al-Anoud bint Abdulaziz bin Musaed Al Saud.

Prince Mohammed, the fourth governor of the Eastern Province, oversaw a period of significant development in the region, coinciding with the country’s economic boom.

Born in 1950 in Riyadh, he received his early education at the Model Capital Institute before earning a bachelor's degree in economics and political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara. His government career began as assistant deputy interior minister before his appointment as Eastern Province governor in 1985.

Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, home to the kingdom’s oil, gas, petrochemical, and manufacturing industries, witnessed extensive development under Prince Mohammed bin Fahd’s tenure. The region saw major advancements in industrial and tourism sectors, infrastructure, and essential services.

Key projects included the expansion of export hubs into some of the Gulf’s largest ports, major road and electricity initiatives, and the establishment of industrial cities. The province also experienced significant urban growth and an expansion of healthcare services.

Prince Mohammed bin Fahd launched numerous initiatives to promote social development, with a focus on youth empowerment and women's advancement. His Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Program for Youth Development received the Dubai-United Nations International Award for Best Practices in Improving the Living Environment in 2002 and the Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work in 2007.

He also established several awards to foster excellence and innovation, including the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Award for Distinguished Government Performance and the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Award for Academic Excellence. Additionally, he founded Prince Mohammed bin Fahd University, a higher education institution known for its advanced teaching methods and modern technology.

 

 



Saudi Arabia Provides $30 Million in Support of Palestine

Saudi flag - File Photo/AAWSAT
Saudi flag - File Photo/AAWSAT
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Saudi Arabia Provides $30 Million in Support of Palestine

Saudi flag - File Photo/AAWSAT
Saudi flag - File Photo/AAWSAT

Palestinian Minister of Finance Omar Al-Bitar received a financial installment from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia amounting to $30 million as part of the Kingdom’s continued support for the State of Palestine for 2025.

The installment was delivered at the Saudi Embassy in Amman on Thursday during a meeting between Al-Bitar and acting Chargé d’Affaires at the Saudi Embassy in Jordan Mohammed bin Hassan Mounis, SPA reported.

Al-Bitar praised the Kingdom’s ongoing financial and political support, highlighting the significance of this contribution in alleviating the severe financial crisis faced by Palestine amid recent Israeli policies.

He also expressed deep appreciation for the Kingdom’s longstanding and unwavering stance in support of Palestine and its people, as well as its support for their legitimate rights and the establishment of their independent state.

He conveyed the greetings of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their enduring political, economic, and humanitarian support.

Mounis noted that this installment reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian government and enabling it to meet its financial obligations, highlighting the importance of this aid in enhancing the resilience of the Palestinian people and alleviating their economic and humanitarian hardships.

He also noted that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has provided some $5.3 billion in recent years in humanitarian, relief, and development aid as part of its broader support for the State of Palestine, reaffirming the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to upholding the rights of the Palestinian people.