On the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.. and Its Historical Role

I lived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for more than ten years during my tenure as Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). I came to appreciate the lofty and historic significance of the Kingdom, not only for its people, its kings, and its neighbors, but also for all the imperatives of security and stability within it and across the Arab and Islamic worlds, and indeed throughout the globe. The Kingdom, its land, and its people constitute a reserve of security and stability for the region, its neighbors, and distant countries alike, and for anyone who values a dignified life in this world. This is a reality recognized by people from all continents. The Kingdom is not merely the source of Islam and the location of its holy sites, nor simply the foundation upon which Arab history was recorded; it is the guardian of these holy places, fully aware of its responsibilities in protecting them. It understands the magnitude of the duties it bears and accepts the heavy burden of preserving these sanctuaries, ensuring their effectiveness, and shielding them from the ravages of time, while guaranteeing their readiness to receive Muslim pilgrims and visitors from other continents.

Fortunately, trust among Muslims and others has grown in the wisdom of the rulers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and their high awareness of the noble meanings embodied not only by the holy sites but also by the historical realities of Islam and its expansive geography, which spans Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe, ensuring their continued vitality and presence. I was particularly struck by the Saudi state’s readiness to shoulder the historic responsibilities imposed by Islam in protecting and preserving the holy sites, facilitating the arrival of Muslims from various countries to these sacred places, and ensuring their safety, comfort, and needs. I closely followed the Kingdom’s preparatory steps for this mission, with a keen focus on achieving excellence not only in intent but also in execution. The Saudi administration succeeded in meeting all the requirements of the pilgrims to the House of God, the Umrah performers, and visitors. It prepared appropriate routes leading to the holy sites, as well as hotels, accommodation facilities, shopping areas, and all other necessities of life. I observed the dedication of Saudi institutions and officials to this permanent mission, whose goal is to serve visitors and pilgrims and facilitate their access to their desired objectives. The Saudi authorities have placed the comfort of pilgrims and visitors as a priority in their series of duties.

With the success of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its rulers in fulfilling the aspirations of pilgrims and others, and with the rising reputation and elevated status of the Kingdom—not only in the Islamic world but also in the global community—adversaries have moved to tarnish the image of this high standing that the Kingdom holds, characterized by exemplary conduct, pristine preparations, and the assurance of safe return for all who come to visit and worship.

I performed the Hajj twice: once with distinguished guests, which was a highly rewarding and enjoyable experience, and another time with friends whom the Holy Mosque and the visit to Medina united. This occasion remains a cherished memory for those who remain of that group, recalling its splendor and beauty.

King Fahd assumed power after the death of King Khalid. As a follower of the GCC, he participated in GCC summit meetings alongside King Khalid, showing keen interest in details and striving to elevate attention to the Council’s objectives. I maintained regular communication with the King’s office to ensure the transmission of updates on the GCC’s developments and to secure His Majesty’s support. King Fahd was a king, a leader, and an initiator who was committed to understanding the details of the Council’s progress. He advised caution regarding certain positions and sought collective consensus, appreciating others’ circumstances, avoiding rashness, and emphasizing the importance of words and the firmness of stances.

The kings of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were statesmen acutely aware of regional developments and the realities of the world. They kept pace with progress, sought the benefits of friendship, followed global events, and drew lessons from them. They mastered the art of understanding and adapting to changes with calm deliberation, without haste or noise, keeping doors open to all—near and far, Arabs and Muslims, and others—with the sense and dignity of seasoned statesmen.

Saudi fraternal excellence became evident during the catastrophe of Saddam Hussein’s invasion of the State of Kuwait and his declaration of its annexation to Iraq. Although Saddam’s regime opened the door to disaster, history recorded this ugly reality, as well as our failure to guard against the madness and danger Saddam posed to the reality of the State of Kuwait. The firmness of the Saudi stance, and the leadership of King Fahd, set the course for Saudi steadfastness in its commitment to liberate Kuwait, with full mobilization and at full scale to achieve this objective.

I was close to King Fahd during that painful period. He always sought to reassure the Kuwaiti community in Riyadh, repeatedly emphasizing the need for me to convey to Kuwaiti citizens that the time for return was not far off and that patience was necessary to complete all arrangements ensuring liberation. This was a historic phase that demanded thorough preparation and qualified readiness to lead to a successful conclusion of the Kuwait liberation operation. It also fostered a firm conviction in the mission’s success, and even greater acceptance of sacrifices, regardless of their scale, and demonstrated rare resolve to ensure success.

I recall the tapestry of history and what it recorded regarding King Fahd’s role in launching the liberation process through a Saudi decision that summoned collective global support for participation in a rare historic mobilization. We, the people of Kuwait, continue to take pride in and value the effectiveness of Saudi resolve in confronting the aggressor and returning Kuwait to its people. The entire world, including all its peoples and governments, watched this with admiration, and history recorded that the Saudi-Kuwaiti partnership achieved and highlighted the completion of reconciliation and the fullness of its depth.

We and future generations will continue to carry profound admiration for the magnitude of Saudi spirit and the majesty of its resolve, which paved the way for the liberation of Kuwait and its return to its people. The Kingdom remains an influential and steadfast pillar in Kuwait’s history.

Abdullah Basharah