On this day, June 13, 1982, King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud took over the rule of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, succeeding his half-brother King Khalid bin Abdulaziz, who had passed away. This day marked a turning point in the history of the Kingdom, as a new era of reform and development began, spanning 23 years.

Who is King Fahd?

King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was born in 1921 (or 1920 or 1923), and was the eighth son of the founding King Abdulaziz Al Saud from his wife Princess Hessa bint Ahmed Al Sudairi. He was the eldest of the “Sudairi Seven”, meaning the full brothers from their mother Hessa Al Sudairi. He served as the first Minister of Education in the Kingdom from 1953 to 1962, then as Minister of Interior from 1962 to 1975, before being appointed Crown Prince when King Khalid took over the throne after the assassination of King Faisal in 1975. Due to King Khalid’s poor health, Prince Fahd was the de facto leader of the country during his years as Crown Prince.

The Historic Day — June 13, 1982

On the morning of Sunday, June 13, 1982, the death of King Khalid bin Abdulaziz was announced after a long illness. On the same day, the ruling family and the country’s dignitaries officially pledged allegiance to Prince Fahd bin Abdulaziz as the King of Saudi Arabia. He was 61 years old at the time and became the fifth king of the Kingdom since its founding by King Abdulaziz in 1932.

Notable Achievements of His Reign

King Fahd ruled the Kingdom for 23 years, the longest reign of any Saudi king to date. Some of his notable achievements include:

  • The Basic Law of Governance (1992): King Fahd issued the Basic Law of Governance, which is considered the first written constitution of the Kingdom, defining the principles of governance, rights, and duties.
  • The Grand Expansion of the Two Holy Mosques: During his reign, the Holy Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina underwent massive expansions to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims.
  • The Shura Council: He established the modern Saudi Shura Council in 1992, to serve as a consultative council contributing to decision-making.
  • The Economic System: The Kingdom experienced an economic boom during his reign, thanks to oil revenues, and significant development in infrastructure and services.
  • The Gulf War (1991): He led the Kingdom in a crucial stance during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and hosted international forces to liberate Kuwait.
  • The Title “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques”: In 1986, King Fahd announced the replacement of the title “His Majesty” with “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques”, a title that has been continued by subsequent kings.

The Final Years and Death

In 1995, King Fahd suffered a stroke that affected his ability to fully perform his duties, and his Crown Prince, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, took over the management of the country’s affairs. King Fahd remained king until his death on August 1, 2005, at the age of 84. He was succeeded by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

The reign of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz remains a significant milestone in the history of Saudi Arabia, as he led the country through a period of major local, regional, and international transformations, leaving a legacy of reform and development that is still evident today.