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96-914: The General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW) was established in 1974 by royal decree by the late King Faisal Bin Abdul-Aziz . In July 1987, the GPYW launched the Leadership Institute campus, the main Saudi entity accredited with training the youth to become expert trainers in sport. The GPYW became known as the General Sports Authority in May 2016, following a royal decree restructuring the entity and placing Prince Abdullah bin Musaad Al Saud as its chairman. Mohammed Al-Sheikh

192-691: A 50-man Royal Rumble match , rather than the traditional 30-men, for the first time in the history of WWE. Braun Strowman , who was the 41st entrant in the match, won by lastly eliminating Big Cass . Strowman later received the Greatest Royal Rumble Trophy and a Greatest Royal Rumble Championship belt from Chairman of the Saudi General Sports Authority, Turki bin Abdel Muhsin Al-Asheikh and WWE Chairman Vince McMahon . This event marked

288-531: A healthier, more active Saudi Arabia. In 2014, the Ministry of Sport unveiled a new stadium, King Abdullah Sports City (KASC), which hosted the final of the 2014 King Cup . After the appointment of Turki Al-Asheikh as chairman in 2017, a committee was formed to find local talent in Saudi Arabian youth, and develop them into professional footballers. 70 young persons were admitted in the first edition of

384-435: A large indoor arena for sports and other purposes. The city has a main mosque and six separate smaller mosques. The city is further equipped with a comprehensive media center, in which spacious rooms are used for press conferences for players, coaches, and football personalities. The main stadium can fit up to 63,241 in attendance. The lower section of the stadium (L) contains 38 blocks accommodating 631 seats per block with

480-529: A new large stadium in the city of Jeddah was considered in the late 1990s, and was always anticipated by Saudi football fans. In 2012, the new stadium's construction began. Before the stadium was launched officially in 2014, Jeddah's main stadium was Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium , accommodating 24,000 and hosting numerous great matches and events in Saudi football history. Designed and delivered by Arup Associates' architects and delivered by Arup's engineers. The city opened officially on May 1, 2014, hosting

576-497: A pious Muslim, Faisal was able to implement careful social reforms such as female education. Despite this, religious conservatives staged large protests. By holding talks with the conservatives, he was able to persuade them of the importance of progress in the coming years by using their own logic. Corruption in the royal family was taken very seriously by religious figures in the Islamic theological colleges. They challenged some of

672-593: A son of Abdulaziz's half-brother Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman . Tarfa bint Abdullah died in 1906, when Faisal was six months old. He then began to live with his maternal grandparents, Abdullah bin Abdullatif and Haya bint Abdul Rahman Al Muqbel, who educated their grandson. Under the mentorship of his grandfather, Prince Faisal completed his studies of reading the Qur'an and studying Islamic law and doctrines at

768-614: A total of 24,000 seats. The middle section (M) contains 48 blocks accommodating 500 seats per block with a total of 24,000 seats. The upper and smallest section (U) has 48 blocks accommodating 291 seats per block with a total of 14,000 seats. The stadium also holds hundreds of private seats and car parking spots reserved to those of special needs. The maximum viewers witnessed was for Brazil national football team against Argentina national football team with 62,345. The stadium hosted WWE 's Greatest Royal Rumble event on April 27, 2018, with over 60.000 people in attending. The event featured

864-497: A written constitution for the country, Faisal responded that "our constitution is the Qur'an". In the summer of 1969 he ordered the arrest of hundreds of military officers, including some generals, alleging that a military coup d'état was being planned. The coup was planned primarily by air force officers and aimed at overthrowing the monarchy and founding a Nasserist regime in the country. King Faisal claimed that Sami Sharaf , one of

960-553: Is a multi-use stadium and sports city located 30 kilometers north of Jeddah , Saudi Arabia . The city was named after Abdullah , King of Saudi Arabia when the stadium opened. The main stadium (King Abdullah International Stadium) is used for football , reaching a full capacity of 62,241 spectators. It is the biggest stadium in Jeddah, and the second biggest in Saudi Arabia, after Riyadh's King Fahd Stadium . Additionally, it

1056-539: Is a key milestone for us, and will be one of many major sports events to take place in the Kingdom next year." "This is fantastic news, not just for World Boxing Super Series but for boxing and for the sport in Saudi Arabia. We have seen huge and growing interest in the World Boxing Super Series from fight fans, broadcasters, commercial partners and venue owners from the major boxing markets around

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1152-649: Is the 10th biggest stadium in the Arab world , and one of the biggest stadiums in Asia . Surrounding the main stadium are smaller sports venues. It also hosts athletics and indoor sporting events in indoor arenas . The stadium also hosted matches of the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup . The bid for the construction was won by Saudi Aramco and the contractor for this project was a joint venture between Al Muhaidib Contracting Company and Belgian construction company BESIX Group . The company also provided an independent evaluation of

1248-479: Is the throne of the Heavens and Earth. One of the earliest actions Faisal took as king was to establish a council to deal with future succession issues. The members were his uncles Abdullah and Musaid and his half-brothers Khalid, Fahd, Abdullah, Sultan , and Nawwaf . In 1967 Faisal established the post of second prime minister and appointed Prince Fahd to this post. The reason for this newly established body

1344-592: The Agricultural Bank to offer loans to farmers and fishermen for the procurement of essential equipment, with the condition that the loans be repaid in interest-free, long-term installments. Under his leadership, Faisal oversaw the extensive expansion of modern road networks throughout the Kingdom, enlisting the expertise of international companies for their implementation. These developments facilitated connections with neighboring countries such as Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Kuwait. Additionally, he prioritized

1440-537: The King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals . Similarly, King Faisal University was established in Al-Ahsa in 1975, although it was inaugurated during the reign of his brother Khalid in 1977. Faisal is recognized for his significant contributions to women's education in Saudi Arabia, starting from his time as crown prince. In 1956, he established the first regular government school for girls in

1536-516: The National Guard in 1962. Upon his return, Saud rejected Faisal's new arrangement and requested that all of his powers be restored. In response, Faisal called a meeting of all senior members of the royal family, excluding Saud, as well as ulema and tribal elders. Faisal had convened the tribe chiefs in response to Saud's demand that his full powers be restored. As a result, the assembly supported Faisal and proposed that Saud be deposed from

1632-655: The Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee as well as all thirty Saudi sports federations. Locally, it defines all sporting objectives. Current work by the Ministry of Sport covers five areas: Most sports facilities in Saudi Arabia are owned and managed by the Ministry of Sport. This includes twenty-four sports cities and stadiums such as the King Fahd International Stadium as well as indoor halls and swimming pools. Twenty-two youth hostels with sports facilities are operated by

1728-680: The Al as Shaykh family, and his support for the pan-Islamic movement in his struggle against pan-Arabism , he decreased the ulema's power and influence. Unlike his successor Khalid, Faisal attempted to prevent radical clerics from controlling religious institutions such as the Council of Senior Ulema, the highest religious institution in Saudi Arabia, or taking religious offices such as Grand Mufti, responsible for preserving Islamic law. But his advisers warned that, once religious zealots had been motivated, disastrous effects would result. Due to his status as

1824-703: The Egyptian Grand Imam of al-Azhar , to combat Communism in 1971 during the presidency of Anwar Sadat. The agreement had a budget of 40 million pounds . Faisal is said to have reminded the Shah of Iran , Mohammad Reza Pahlavi , in a correspondence that he was not "the Shah of France" and that he should keep in mind that Iran was a majority Muslim country. This was in response to a provocative letter from Mohammad Reza asking Faisal to modernise Saudi Arabia, urging him to allow women to wear miniskirts and permitting

1920-570: The Gamal Abdel Nasser's officials, was the planner of the plot. The arrests were possibly based on a tip from American intelligence. Faisal seemed to hold the pluralist view, favouring limited, cautious accommodation of popular demands for inclusive reform, and made repeated attempts to broaden political representation, harking back to his temporarily successful national integration policy from 1965 to 1975. The King acknowledged his country's religious and cultural diversity, which includes

2016-737: The Joint Saudi-American Economic Committee was established. A milestone occurred in 1974 when Nixon became the first US president to visit Saudi Arabia. In 1965, the Ministry of Agriculture collaborated with multinational consulting firms to establish a comprehensive program for water exploration. This initiative aimed to systematically search for water resources by extraction. The Ministry dedicated its endeavors to enhance agricultural practices, promote livestock and fisheries, conserve plant species, combat desertification , and provide guidance to farmers for improving date production. Furthermore, it actively encouraged

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2112-678: The Ministry of Sport across Saudi Arabia as well as two permanent youth camps in Ta'if and Ha'il . The following are past chairmen of the General Sports Authority: King Faisal Bin Abdul-Aziz Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ( Arabic : فيصل بن عبدالعزيز آل سعود Fayṣal ibn ʿAbd al ʿAzīz Āl Suʿūd , Najdi Arabic pronunciation: [fæjsˤɑl ben ˈʕæbd ælʕæˈziːz ʔæːl sæˈʕuːd] ; 14 April 1906 – 25 March 1975)

2208-648: The Red Sea' sees Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua fighting for the second time. This fight was confirmed for the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah as of June 2022, Usyk was the winner of their first fight which happened in London , England, during September 2021. This rematch is Joshua's second professional fight in Saudi Arabia, he previously fought Andy Ruiz Jr. in the 'Clash on the Dunes' at

2304-514: The SFA is helping the Kingdom meet this target by creating sporting opportunities, encouraging lifestyle changes, and initiating campaigns and challenges encouraging physical activity. The SFA runs year-round initiatives, including community activities, sports challenges, virtual walking and running challenges, tournaments, and activations of public spaces to host sports-related activities. The SFA App, launched in 2020 for iOS and Android devices, serves as

2400-529: The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) was created in 2018 as a dedicated body to drive community sports. In 2019, it was given the official mandate to lead community sports initiatives supporting the Saudi Vision 2030’s goals. The Quality of Life program calls for increasing the number of people undertaking regular physical activity in the Kingdom to 40% by 2030. Under the Ministry of Sport umbrella,

2496-668: The Saudi government announced physical education classes would be made available to girls in public state schools. On March 5, 2018, the American professional wrestling promotion WWE and the Saudi General Sports Authority advertised a pay-per-view and livestreaming event called the Greatest Royal Rumble to be held on 27 April at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah . The event showcased

2592-441: The Saudi royal family has reportedly since donated more than a billion dollars. In 1963 he established the country's first television station, though actual broadcasts would not begin for another two years. During this period, the struggle with King Saud continued in the background, with the royal princes meeting and asking Faisal to take over effective control from Saud. Saud had driven the country into serious debt and embarrassed

2688-468: The Saudi state clergy that, "All Muslims, from Egypt, India etc. are your brothers". However Mai Yamani argued that after his reign, discrimination based on sect, tribe, region, and gender became the order of the day and has remained as such until today. The role and authority of the state clergy declined after Faisal became king in 1964, even though they had helped bring him to the throne. Despite his piety and biological relationship through his mother to

2784-713: The Ten Point Program, which outlined Saudi Arabia's path to becoming an industrialized nation by implementing economic, financial, political, and legal principles. Among the highlights were: Faisal founded the Economic Development Committee in 1958. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Islamic University of Madinah in 1961. In 1962 he helped found the Muslim World League , a worldwide charity to which

2880-535: The UK and likely to take place in Jeddah. Both boxers made their opinions known that it was not ideal the final should take place Jeddah as it would be much bigger in the UK, however there was no complaints from either side. There was more frustration at the bout being postponed. The final was announced to take place on September 28 at a 10,000 capacity arena at the Complex. A heavyweight boxing match dubbed 'Rage on

2976-503: The US began to raise the issue of slavery after the meeting between King Abdulaziz and US president Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945, and that John F. Kennedy finally persuaded the House of Saud to abolish slavery in 1962. In a speech shortly after becoming king, Faisal said: I beg of you, brothers, to look upon me as both brother and servant. ' Majesty ' is reserved to God alone and 'the throne'

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3072-509: The accepted theological interpretations adopted by the Saudi regime. One such influential figure was Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Baz , then rector of the Al Medina college of theology (later he would serve as the country's grand mufti). Faisal would not tolerate his criticism and had him removed from his position. However, the teachings of Bin Baz had already radicalized some of his students, one of which

3168-459: The advice of Sunni ( Sufi ) scholar al-Sayyid 'Alawi ibn 'Abbas al-Maliki al-Hasani, the father of Muhammad ibn 'Alawi al-Maliki . Similarly in 1962, in promoting a broader, non-sectarian form of pan-Islamism, Faisal launched the Muslim World League where the Tijani Sufi scholar Ibrahim Niass was invited. Furthermore, he countered the outlook of certain prior Saudi rulers in declaring to

3264-564: The age of nine. He also learned horseback riding and politics from his father. His father influenced him militarily and politically, and at a young age, Faisal was chosen to represent his father in international forums. According to Helen Chapin Metz , Faisal, and most of his generation, was raised in an atmosphere in which courage was extremely valued and reinforced. From 1916 he was tutored by Hafiz Wahba who later served in various governmental posts. As one of Abdulaziz's eldest sons, Faisal

3360-512: The beginning of a 10-year strategic multi-platform partnership with WWE and the Saudi General Sports Authority, usually consisting of two premium live events per year (Except in 2020 and 2021, where the country hosted one PLE each due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia ). Prior to this partnership, WWE had previously done WWE Live tours in the country. The Ministry of Sport represents Saudi Arabian sport at an international level and manages

3456-435: The budget, aimed at advancing the foundational components of the healthcare system. In 1973 alone, the allocated budget for public health and social affairs amounted to 591 million riyals. The kingdom implemented a strategic planning system within its five-year plan from 1970 to 1975. The number of doctors increased to 1,020, health assistants rose to 3,750, hospital beds witnessed a 30% increase, dispensaries expanded by 60%, and

3552-659: The central hub for these initiatives. The App also hosts the SFA Rewards program, where users are incentivized to stay active by earning points that can be redeemed against gifts or charitable donations. The SFA collaborates closely with public and private sector entities such as the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee (SAOC), Ministry of Sport, Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) to further its goal of

3648-625: The close alliance with the United States begun by King Abdulaziz, and relied on the US heavily for arming and training his armed forces. Faisal's first official visit as king to the US was in June 1966. Faisal was anti-communist . He refused any political ties with the Soviet Union and other Communist bloc countries, professing to see a complete incompatibility between communism and Islam. He signed an agreement with Abdel-Halim Mahmoud ,

3744-955: The commercial sector to invest in the packaging and preservation of dates. Several significant projects were successfully accomplished during this period, including the construction of the Jizan Dam in 1970, which was completed with the assistance of foreign corporations. In Al-Ahsa , a water-saving initiative was implemented through an irrigation and drainage project, aimed at conserving water from springs and wells while effectively utilizing any surplus. Dams were constructed in Abha , Al-Majma'ah , and along Wadi Hanifa near Riyadh to collect rainwater. Moreover, agricultural ventures were initiated in Tabuk Province , Al-Jawf Province , Wadi Sirhan , Al-Qassim Province , Al Aflaj Governorate , Wadi Bisha, and Najran Province . The Ministry also instructed

3840-525: The conference's recommendation to demolish a significant portion of the Ottoman structure , arguing that the Ottoman structure should be preserved and new architectural designs created using the best methods of convergence. A new phase of construction began in 1969 with the addition of two new wings and repairs to the sanctuary's existing structure. During this phase, the surrounding roadways were developed and

3936-601: The country, known as Dar Al Hanan. This school was established under the patronage of his wife Iffat . A major milestone occurred in 1960 when a royal order was issued during the reign of King Saud, leading to the establishment of the General Presidency for Girls Education . This marked the official beginning of women's education in Saudi Arabia, providing them with broader access to educational opportunities. Medical professionals, including doctors and nursing staff, were recruited from various countries worldwide under

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4032-461: The country, rather than sending them abroad; this had the effect of making it popular for upper-class families to bring their sons back to study in the Kingdom. He also introduced the country's current system of administrative regions , and laid the foundations for a modern welfare system. In 1970 he established the Ministry of Justice and inaugurated the country's first "five-year plan" for economic development. One of Faisal's modernization attempts

4128-403: The development of agricultural roads, enabling villages and farmers to transport their products to market efficiently. In the realm of aviation, airports were expanded and upgraded, while Saudi Arabian Airlines acquired jet planes to enhance their services. Notably, an institute for civil aviation training was established in Jeddah. In parallel, port traffic experienced significant growth, with

4224-652: The disco among other things. Otherwise, the Shah felt, he could not guarantee that the King would stay on the throne. After he became foreign minister , Prince Faisal was recognized for his support for the Palestinian cause. His involvement with the Palestinian cause began in 1938, when he represented his father in the London Conference on the Palestine issue, where he delivered an important address opposing

4320-428: The economic and administrative rejuvenation of the Kingdom. Faisal took charge of formulating the nation's five-year plans and started setting up the structure of administrative regions . To bolster the capabilities of state service institutions, he enlisted the aid of foreign consulting firms. Furthermore, he actively participated in the development of industries, agriculture, project initiatives, land investments, and

4416-724: The establishment of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh. Furthermore, in 1967, he established the King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah. In 1974, he ordered the Council of Ministers to merge the university with the government, converting it to a public university and offering free education to Saudi students. In 1975, the College of Petroleum and Minerals in Dhahran was converted into

4512-452: The establishment of the first advanced military cities. These cities were designed as modern complexes, encompassing military bases, training and shooting fields, warehouses for storing ammunition and combat equipment vehicles, as well as residential neighborhoods with educational, healthcare, recreational, and commercial facilities. These military cities also featured landscaped gardens, green spaces, and sports clubs. The inaugural military city

4608-711: The expansion of the Jeddah Islamic Port and the establishment of new ports in Yanbu and Jazan . Education received paramount attention and underwent significant improvements during Faisal's reign. Reforms were implemented in the curricula, accompanied by an increase in foreign educational missions. Special provisions were made to financially support families who lacked resources to educate their children, emphasizing equal opportunities for both male and female students. Textbooks were distributed free of charge, eliminating any associated fees. In 1974, Faisal also directed

4704-557: The exploration of natural resources and sources of potable water. Faisal played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Petromin Corporation and laid the foundation for a comprehensive network of power plants. Additionally, he spearheaded the creation of essential industries such as petrochemicals, iron, steel, cement, and mining. Recognizing the significance of skill development, Faisal advocated for sending students to Western countries for training, thereby contributing to

4800-510: The final of the 2014 King's Cup tournament between Jeddah's Al-Ahli SC and Riyadh's Al-Shabab , in front of 62,241 fans. In a hometown upset, Al-Shabab won 3–0, and were crowned their 3rd King's Cup championship. The match was attended by then- King Abdullah , along with then-Crown Prince Salman and then-Deputy Crown Prince Muqrin . Outside the main stadium, the city has three separate football fields and four small indoor arenas also used for football. It also has six tennis courts and

4896-557: The first ever 50-man Battle Royal . The Undertaker and Goldberg competed in the main event. On October 8, 2017, a deal was agreed for the complex to host the final of the World Boxing Super Series: Cruiserweight tournament in May 2018. "This agreement is part of our broader commitment and work to develop the sport of boxing in Saudi Arabia. Having the first final of such a high profile and groundbreaking tournament take place in Saudi Arabia

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4992-628: The first ever 50-man Royal Rumble match , with Braun Strowman being declared the winner and the Greatest Royal Rumble Champion after last eliminating Big Cass . The event was a part of a 10-year strategic multi-platform partnership between WWE and the Saudi General Sports Authority in support of Saudi Vision 2030 , Saudi Arabia's social and economic reform program. WWE returned to Jeddah on June 7, 2019, with Super ShowDown , which featured

5088-475: The founder of modern Saudi Arabia. Faisal was the son of Abdulaziz and Tarfa bint Abdullah Al Sheikh . His father was still reigning as Emir of Nejd at the time of Faisal's birth, and his mother was from the Al ash-Sheikh family which has produced many prominent Saudi religious leaders. Faisal emerged as an influential royal politician during his father's reign. He served as viceroy of Hejaz from 1926 to 1932. He

5184-464: The growth of industrial ventures. In 1969, the Kingdom initiated its inaugural development strategy. Faisal held a meeting with US president Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966, forging a Saudi-American alliance focused on collaborative endeavors for the advancement of the Kingdom. Subsequently, in 1971, Faisal engaged with President Richard Nixon during a meeting in Washington. Three years later, in 1973,

5280-494: The incident is the most widely accepted motive for his assassination. Although there was some discontent with the social changes he carried out, the Arab world grew to respect Faisal as a result of his policies modernizing Saudi Arabia, his management of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina , his reputation as a staunch opponent of Zionism , and the country's fast-rising financial strength . Faisal pursued strategies to maximize

5376-503: The invitation of President Franklin D. Roosevelt . This is one of the early contacts between Saudi Arabia and the US. As King Abdulaziz neared the end of his life, he favored Faisal as a possible successor over his eldest living son, Crown Prince Saud , due to Faisal's extensive knowledge, as well as his years of experience. Since Faisal was a child, Abdulaziz recognized him as the most brilliant of his sons and often tasked him with responsibilities in war and diplomacy. In addition, Faisal

5472-442: The kingdom with top teams like Barcelona F.C. , Valencia F.C. , and Real Madrid participating. However, the number of foreign supporters flying to Saudi Arabia for attending the match is fewer than 200, paying upwards of £2,000. According to AS, less than even 40 Madrid fans have chosen to fly to the semi-final. Out of all the tickets put up for sale, under 10% have only been sold while most are not sold at all yet. In July 2020,

5568-589: The leadership of King Faisal. Recognizing the importance of healthcare, he issued an order to establish the King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh on land that he donated, which commenced its operations in 1975. Collaboration with the World Health Organization was fostered to develop government health programs. Notably, significant investments were allocated to the healthcare sector, with funding reaching 3.4% of

5664-404: The ministry of sport launched Mahd Sports Academy , a sports academy that aims to scout, help, and train Saudi talent in various sports. The establishment of the academy is in line with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to develop the sports sector in Saudi Arabia. On August 1, 2016, Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud became the vice-president of Women’s Affairs at the Ministry of Sport. In July 2017,

5760-530: The number of health centers grew to 200, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to enhancing healthcare services. Upon ascending to the throne, Faisal devised a comprehensive strategy for the Royal Saudi Air Force that aligned with the prevailing needs and demands of the era. Recognizing the necessity of a distinguished institution capable of accommodating a substantial number of Saudi students and providing them with top-tier training, he embarked on

5856-556: The number of pilgrims. It was built in 1973 and stood until the second Saudi expansion, when it was decommissioned. The Saudi Binladin Group was also sent to East Jerusalem in 1964 to perform restoration work on the Dome of the Rock . As king, Faisal employed Islam as one of Saudi Arabia's foreign policy tools which differentiated him from King Abdulaziz and King Saud. However, he continued

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5952-403: The oil embargo which caused the 1973 oil crisis . Faisal successfully stabilized the Kingdom's bureaucracy, and his reign had significant popularity among Saudi Arabians despite his reforms facing some controversy. Following his assassination by his nephew Faisal bin Musaid in 1975, he was succeeded by his half-brother Khalid . Faisal bin Abdulaziz was born in Riyadh on 14 April 1906. He

6048-406: The partition plan. He wrote a message to the Saudi people in 1948 in which he discussed the Palestinian struggle and the suffering of the Palestinian people. King Abdullah Sports City King Abdullah Sports City ( Arabic : مدينة الملك عبدالله الرياضية ), also nicknamed The Shining Jewel ( Arabic : الجوهرة المشعة , romanized :  al-Jawhara Al-Moshe'ah ) or simply The Jewel ,

6144-408: The performance of local staff and the event safety officer (provided by Sword Security) during the inaugural event at the KASC stadium. This led to a significant number of safety and security recommendations and the appointment of a dedicated Stadium Manager. The stadium field surface is paspalum turfgrass marketed as Pure Dynasty Seeded Paspalum and provided by Atlas Turf International. The idea of

6240-439: The plan in motion. Buildings were demolished to make the circumambulation rituals easier. By 1967, the area around Maqam Ibrahim had grown, and crowds were able to perform the circumambulation rituals in comfort and ease. In the case of the Prophet's Mosque , Faisal gave an order to construct prayer areas to the west of the mosque following the completion of the first Saudi expansion, which opened in 1955 and due to an increase in

6336-410: The predominantly Shia Al Ahsa in the east; the Asir in the southwest, with tribal affinities to Yemen, especially among the Ismaili tribes of Najran and Jizan ; and the Kingdom of the Hejaz, with its capital Mecca. He included non-Wahhabi, cosmopolitan Sunni Hejazis from Mecca and Jeddah in the Saudi government. It was said that he would not take any decision regarding Mecca without seeking

6432-425: The president of the four-member council and minister of foreign affairs . He would continue to oversee Saudi foreign policy until his death—even as king, with only a two-year break between 1960 and 1962. Faisal visited several countries in this period, including Iran in May 1932, Poland in 1932 and Russia in 1933. On 8 July 1932 he visited Turkey and met with President Kemal Atatürk . On 23 September 1932,

6528-414: The prince officially announced the establishment of Saudi Arabia on behalf of his father from Al Hamidiyah Palace in Mecca by reading out the royal decree that renamed the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Faisal commanded a campaign during the Saudi–Yemeni War in 1934 , resulting in a Saudi victory. He and his half-brother Khalid visited the US in October 1943 following

6624-423: The program. Some tournaments and award systems were also restructured: The Crown Prince Cup was renamed the Super Cup, and the First Class Tournament became the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Tournament. The reward of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup was raised from SAR 5.5 million to SAR 10 million. Saudi Arabia is all set to host Supercopa de Espana for the first time and stage another huge sporting event in

6720-579: The receipt of the final aircraft manufactured, bearing the serial number (53-700), on June 29, 1972. The Lightning fighters remained in active service until January 1986. In 1972, Faisal placed an order for 39 Mirage 5 aircraft from France. However, upon their arrival in the Kingdom in 1974, and before the Royal Saudi Air Force could utilize them, the King decided to donate the aircraft to Egypt in order to bolster their air force . Faisal undertook this gesture of support to assist Egypt in strengthening its military capabilities. During his reign, Faisal oversaw

6816-433: The region. Muammar Gaddafi 's coup that overthrew the monarchy in oil-rich Libya in 1969 was especially threatening for Saudi Arabia due to the similarity between the two sparsely-populated desert countries. As a result, Faisal undertook to build a sophisticated security apparatus and cracked down firmly on dissent. As in all affairs, he justified these policies in Islamic terms. Early in his reign, when faced with demands for

6912-505: The royal family and his maternal cousin Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Al ash-Sheikh , Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia . Faisal implemented a policy of modernization and reform. His main foreign policy themes were pan-Islamism , anti-communism, and pro- Palestinianism . He attempted to limit the power of Islamic religious officials. Protesting against support that Israel received from the West, he led

7008-427: The royal family and the ulema was convened later that year, and the grand mufti decreed a second fatwa, calling on Saud to abdicate the throne in favor of his brother. Faisal believed that Saud's continued ill health compelled him to take the throne, thus absolving him of the oath. The royal family supported the fatwa and immediately informed Saud of their decision. Saud, by now shorn of all his powers, agreed, and Faisal

7104-510: The royal family by becoming embroiled in a plan to assassinate United Arab Republic president Gamal Abdel Nasser. Faisal took advantage of Saud's absence from the country for medical reasons in early 1963 to amass greater power for himself as Saudi Arabia's political and economic circumstances worsened. He removed many of Saud's loyalists from their posts and appointed like-minded princes in key military and security positions, such as his half-brother Prince Abdullah , to whom he gave command of

7200-400: The same period, he also visited France , again being the first Saudi Arabian royal to pay an official visit there. Abdulaziz gave his son Faisal many military duties to consolidate authority over Arabia. After the capture of Hail and initial control over Asir in 1922, Faisal was sent to these provinces with nearly six thousand fighters. He achieved complete control over Asir at the end of

7296-647: The squares were installed. At the time, the project cost approximately 800 million Saudi riyals. In 1962, he also ordered the reopening of the Kaaba Cloth Factory in Mecca due to political tensions between Egypt (then called the United Arab Republic) and Saudi Arabia. The Muslim World League planned to renovate Maqam Ibrahim in 1965, with the maqam housed inside a crystal pillar with a silver lid. Faisal agreed and issued an order putting

7392-422: The state to the brink of collapse, and that his handling of foreign affairs was inept, senior members of the royal family and the ulema (religious leadership) pressured Saud into appointing Faisal to the position of prime minister in 1958, giving Faisal wide executive powers. A power struggle ensued between Saud and Faisal, and on 18 December 1960, Faisal resigned as prime minister in protest, arguing that Saud

7488-748: The task of finding a suitable college. Consequently, the announcement regarding the establishment of the King Faisal Air Academy was made in 1967, and it officially commenced its operations three years later, specifically in 1970. In December 1965, Faisal initiated a procurement of advanced weaponry and equipment, which included forty Lightning fighters . This consisted of 34 single-seat aircraft and 6 two-seat aircraft. Deliveries of these aircraft commenced on July 1, 1968, with two (F.Mk 53) aircraft taking off from Wharton and reaching Jeddah. The delivery process concluded in September 1969, with

7584-422: The throne and Faisal be proclaimed monarch. The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia , Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Al ash-Sheikh , a maternal cousin of Faisal, issued a fatwa (edict) calling on the King to accede to his brother's demands. Faisal, on the other hand, urged that Saud keep the royal title. He was said to have felt bound by his oath to his father that he would recognize Saud as king. All that mattered, he maintained,

7680-570: The utilization of oil revenue and initiated a thorough evaluation of the profit-sharing agreement with Aramco, which he deemed inequitable and requested its revision. Additionally, the government transitioned from engaging in oil reservoir exploitation agreements to exclusively granting oil investment concessions to state institutions. Following the declaration of bankruptcy within the government treasury, Faisal directed his focus towards revitalizing industrial, agricultural, financial, and economic enterprises, earning recognition for his instrumental role in

7776-657: The world." In February 2018, the final was set to be Oleksandr Usyk vs. Murat Gassiev . May 11 was the date that was set for the final, however in April, Usyk suffered a minor injury to his left elbow and ultimately the final was rescheduled to take place on July 21 in Moscow, Russia . Usyk won the fight via a dominant unanimous decision. On July 5, it was rumoured the WBSS super middleweight final between George Groves vs. Callum Smith , an all-British fight, would not take place in

7872-472: The year. Prince Faisal was appointed viceroy of Hejaz on 9 February 1926 following his father's takeover of the region. He often consulted with local leaders during his tenure. Faisal was the president of the Consultative Assembly and the minister of interior . In December 1931, following the announcement of the constitution of the Council of Deputies (Majlis al Wukala), he also became

7968-468: Was Juhayman al-Otaybi . The Saudi Binladin Group was tasked with expanding Masjid al-Haram , which would be the first substantial enlargement in a thousand years. This massive project began in 1955, during the reign of King Saud, and continued for twenty years during the reigns of King Faisal and King Khalid. In 1967, a conference in Mecca brought together a significant number of Muslim architects to discuss possible design alternatives. Faisal objected to

8064-510: Was Prince Khalid's request and suggestion. The use of Saudi Arabia's flag was made by him official on 15 March 1973, although it had been in use since 1902. Faisal's most senior adviser during his reign was Rashad Pharaon , his father's private physician. Another adviser was Grand Mufti Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Al Sheikh, who was influential in shaping the King's political role in the Arab world . Early in his rule, Faisal issued an edict that all Saudi princes had to school their children inside

8160-416: Was a Saudi Arabian statesman and diplomat who was King of Saudi Arabia from 2 November 1964 until his assassination in 1975. Before his ascension, he served as Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia from 9 November 1953 to 2 November 1964, and he was briefly regent to his half-brother King Saud in 1964. He was prime minister from 1954 to 1960 and from 1962 to 1975. Faisal was the third son of King Abdulaziz ,

8256-429: Was appointed to the position of chairman of GSA in April 2017, replacing Prince Abdullah bin Musaad Al Saud. On September 6, Mohammed Al-Sheikh was replaced by Turki bin Abdel Muhsin Al-Asheikh at this position. The Ministry of Sport’ remit of improving and developing the sports environment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia includes a focus on encouraging sports and physical activity at the grassroots level. Towards that end,

8352-539: Was frustrating his financial reforms. Saud took back his executive powers and, having induced Prince Talal to return from Egypt, appointed him as minister of finance in July 1958. In 1962, however, Faisal rallied enough support within the royal family to install himself as prime minister for a second time. Less than a month before this event Faisal held a secret meeting with US president John F. Kennedy in Washington, D.C., on 4 October 1962. The same year, Faisal announced

8448-486: Was given numerous responsibilities. In 1919 the British government invited Abdulaziz to visit London. He could not go, but he assigned his eldest son, Turki , as his envoy. However, Prince Turki died due to Spanish flu before the visit. Therefore, Faisal was sent to London instead, making him the first ever Saudi Arabian royal to visit England. His visit lasted for five months, and he met with British officials. During

8544-409: Was known to embrace a simple Bedouin lifestyle. "I only wish I had three Faisals", Abdulaziz once said when discussing who would succeed him. However, Abdulaziz made the decision to keep Saud as crown prince in the fear that otherwise would lead to decreased stability. King Abdulaziz died on 9 November 1953, and Prince Faisal was at his side. Faisal's elder half-brother, Saud, became king. Faisal

8640-520: Was proclaimed king on 2 November 1964. Saud then went into exile, finding refuge in Egypt before eventually settling in Greece. Slavery did not vanish in Saudi Arabia until Faisal issued a decree for its total abolition in 1962. BBC presenter Peter Hobday stated that about 1,682 slaves were freed at that time, at a cost to the government of $ 2,000 each. The political analyst Bruce Riedel argued that

8736-578: Was that Saud leave power in Faisal's hands and stay out of public life. As a last-ditch attempt to reclaim executive powers, Saud ordered the deployment of the Royal Guard at Nasriyah Palace, prompting Faisal to order the National Guard to surround Saud's palace. His loyalists outnumbered and outgunned, Saud relented, and on 4 March 1964, Faisal was appointed regent. A meeting of the elders of

8832-452: Was the Saudi foreign minister from 1930 and prime minister from 1954 until his death, except for a two-year break in both positions from 1960 to 1962. After his father died in 1953 and his half-brother Saud became king, Faisal became crown prince, and in that position he outlawed slavery in Saudi Arabia . He persuaded King Saud to abdicate in his favour in 1964 with the help of other members of

8928-639: Was the King Faisal Military City, established in 1971 near the city of Khamis Mushait in the southern region. Subsequently, the King Abdulaziz Military City was established in the northwestern region and was officially inaugurated by King Faisal in 1973. These military cities represented significant developments in infrastructure and provided comprehensive facilities to support military personnel and their families. The 1950s and 1960s saw numerous coups d'état in

9024-439: Was the new laws on media, publishing, and archiving and bilateral cultural cooperation protocols with foreign and corporate archives that kept records about mid-twentieth century Arabia. Television broadcasts officially began in 1965. In the same year, a nephew of Faisal attacked the newly established headquarters of Saudi television but was killed by security personnel. The attacker was the brother of Faisal's future assassin, and

9120-846: Was the third son of Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman , then Emir of Nejd ; Faisal was the first of his father's sons who was born in Riyadh. His mother was Tarfa bint Abdullah Al Sheikh , whom Abdulaziz had married in 1902 after capturing Riyadh. Tarfa was a descendant of the religious leader Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab . Faisal's maternal grandfather, Abdullah bin Abdullatif Al Sheikh , was one of Abdulaziz's principal religious teachers and advisers. Faisal had an older full sister, Noura, who married her cousin Khalid bin Muhammad ,

9216-564: Was then appointed crown prince. On 16 August 1954 he was made prime minister. King Saud embarked on a spending program that included the construction of a massive royal residence on the outskirts of the capital, Riyadh. He also faced pressure from neighboring Egypt, where Gamal Abdel Nasser had overthrown the monarchy in 1952. Nasser was able to cultivate a group of dissident princes led by Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz , who defected to Egypt. Fearing that Saud's financial policies were bringing

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