From Founder to Grandson... Saudis Between Two ‘Bay’ahs’


King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud delivers a political speech during the Hajj in 1938, with a young Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, sitting to his left (Asharq Al-Awsat)
King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud delivers a political speech during the Hajj in 1938, with a young Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, sitting to his left (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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From Founder to Grandson... Saudis Between Two ‘Bay’ahs’


King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud delivers a political speech during the Hajj in 1938, with a young Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, sitting to his left (Asharq Al-Awsat)
King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud delivers a political speech during the Hajj in 1938, with a young Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, sitting to his left (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman was appointed Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia in Al-Safa Castle in Makkah, just meters away from where King Abdulaziz received the first royal pledge around a hundred years ago.

On Wednesday, June 21, 2017, corresponding to 26 Ramadan 1438 AH, King Salman issued a royal decree, with the support of the majority of 31 out of 34 members of Saudi Arabia’s Allegiance Council, selecting Prince Mohammed bin Salman as Crown Prince.

On the same evening, the new Crown Prince received the pledge of allegiance from princes, scholars, senior officials, military leaders, and citizens.

As the sixth anniversary of the Crown Prince’s pledge of allegiance (Bay’ah) approaches, a comparison is drawn between his pledge and that of King Abdulaziz, which took place a century ago.

After King Abdulaziz united multiple regions of the Arabian Peninsula under his banner, he completed the annexation of Hejaz by receiving the pledge of allegiance from the nobles, scholars, and the public.

This took place after Friday prayers on 23 Jumada al-Akhirah 1344 AH, corresponding to January 8, 1926.

That historic occasion marked the first time that a Saudi ruler held the title “King.”

The Bay'ah is an Islamic principle that characterized Islamic civilization and is considered a covenant between the ruler and the subjects.

It is also one of the constitutional foundations of the Saudi state since its inception 300 years ago.

King Abdulaziz established the pillars of his rule on the principles of Islamic Sharia and founded his state on solid grounds of righteous governance, providing a unique and unified model geographically, politically, culturally, and socially. This state, therefore, emerged as the true heir of Arab Islamic civilization.

As part of his vision, the founder King Abdulaziz established a constitutional approach regarding the succession of the throne. He proved its strength by “establishing the pillars of the monarchy, consolidating them, and ensuring their continuity.”

His descendants have maintained this unique model of the state and presented a contemporary version of the Arab and Islamic political heritage, while reinforcing ancient traditions of governance, developing political practices and constitutional tools, and successfully blending modernity and authenticity.

Over the past century, the smooth transition of power in the Kingdom has been maintained without any constitutional vacuum or declaration of a state of emergency. This has been met with unprecedented popular interaction, which was notable and surprising to many political observers and analysts.

As we commemorate the eighth anniversary of the pledge of allegiance to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, it is worth noting that this historic event marks a turning point in the history of Saudi Arabia and is a significant factor in its political equations and historic decisions.

History will record that King Salman bin Abdulaziz led the country during a critical political stage and successfully transferred power to a new generation of Abdulaziz’s descendants.

King Salman’s school, an extension of King Abdulaziz’s school and a reflection of his personality, was the most important institution from which Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman graduated and drew inspiration from his grandfather’s character.

He learned the art of governance and political skills and acquired a love for history. The Crown Prince was able to develop a unique philosophy of governance, a distinct vision for politics, and a different reading of history.

In terms of practical application, just as the founding king recognized the danger of extremism and fought its roots, so did the Crown Prince. He did so with support and guidance from his father, King Salman.



Shura Council Speaker Receives Newly Appointed Saudi Ambassadors to Several Countries

The newly appointed ambassadors expressed their gratitude to the Shura Council, highlighting the significance of the council's role in parliamentary diplomacy - SPA
The newly appointed ambassadors expressed their gratitude to the Shura Council, highlighting the significance of the council's role in parliamentary diplomacy - SPA
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Shura Council Speaker Receives Newly Appointed Saudi Ambassadors to Several Countries

The newly appointed ambassadors expressed their gratitude to the Shura Council, highlighting the significance of the council's role in parliamentary diplomacy - SPA
The newly appointed ambassadors expressed their gratitude to the Shura Council, highlighting the significance of the council's role in parliamentary diplomacy - SPA

Speaker of the Shura Council Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh met on Tuesday at the council's headquarters in Riyadh the newly appointed Saudi ambassadors to several brotherly and friendly countries.
The officials included Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic (Greece) Ali bin Youssef; Ambassador to the Argentine Republic Hatem Al-Ghamdi; Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation Abdulrahman Al-Dawood; Ambassador to the Union of the Comoros Mohammed Al-Shamrani; Ambassador to the Republic of Maldives Yahya Al-Qahtani; Ambassador to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay Sultan Al-Muzaini; Ambassador to the Republic of Mozambique Ahmed Al-Wuhaib; and Ambassador to the United Mexican States Fahd Al-Manawer.
According to SPA, at the outset of the meeting, the Speaker of the Shura Council congratulated the ambassadors-designate on the royal trust bestowed upon them to represent the Kingdom at its embassies. He emphasized the significance of their role abroad in serving the homeland and its citizens, wishing them success in their duties and in strengthening cooperation and fraternal relations between the Kingdom and the brotherly and friendly nations across various fields.
The newly appointed ambassadors expressed their gratitude to the Shura Council, highlighting the significance of the council's role in parliamentary diplomacy. They emphasized the importance of building bridges of friendship and cooperation with parliaments around the world and actively participating in regional and international parliamentary forums to strengthen relations between the Kingdom and both brotherly and friendly nations.