King Abdullah remembered for his many achievements

Riyadh, Jan 25: Members of the Shoura Council and senior government officials said that the country has lost a wise leader who took the nation to great heights of peace and prosperity,

“We have lost a wise leader who dedicated his life and efforts to serve his nation, and he remained the guardian of security and stability in the country as well as in the region,” Amin Al-Jaafri, deputy speaker of the Shoura Council, said Saturday following the death of King Abdullah.

“He played a major role in strengthening solidarity among Arab countries and he was an ardent promoter of interfaith dialogue in the world and peace in the region. He also denounced violence and extremism which affected the peaceful coexistence among all communities,” he noted, pointing out that his services toward the nation and the world will be remembered forever with reverence and prayers for the departed soul.

On behalf of the council, he conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved royal family which has lost an important member in its galaxy.

Commending the swift transfer of power, Al-Jaafri applauded the dynamic leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, who took over the reins with the will of Allah and has pledged to continue the good work carried out by his predecessor. He also offered his congratulations and good wishes to Crown Prince Muqrin, deputy premier, and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, second deputy premier and minister of interior.

Shoura Council member Maj. Gen. Ali-Tamimi said that Saudi Arabia lost a great son of the soil. “I have been working with him for the past 35 years and he was a gem of a person,” Tamimi said of the late king. “His thoughts and vision were always focused on developing Saudi Arabia to achieve new heights,” he said, adding that he was determined to wipe out terrorism from the country and make it a peaceful place for people to live in harmony and prosperity. He said the country will remember this noble heart forever and he will live in people's memory as they take their nation toward greater prosperity.

“The greatest contribution he made to the Shoura Council was to allow women to enroll as members of the body,” he said, describing the move as a major landmark in the empowerment of women in the Kingdom. This paved the way for women to take part in local government elections too, he said.

Enumerating the services of the late King, former Shoura Council member Osama Kurdi said King Abdullah implemented a comprehensive package of services for the nation including health care, education, the judicial system, economy, promoting interfaith dialogue and peace and also empowering Saudi women.

In addition to the introduction of 30 public and private universities, he said the king offered more than 150,000 scholarships to Saudi youths and set up five mega economic cities.

Labor Minister Adel Fakeih recalled that the nine and half years of reign by the late King Abdullah rendered yeoman services to the country and its citizens. “He had a unique passion for patriotism for the country and the people,” he stressed.

He pointed out that Saudization was implemented in full swing during his tenure. “Youths both males and females were given job opportunities, which reduced the unemployment rate of the country,” he stressed. He said the country is confident that the new monarch, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, will push the country to new heights of peace and prosperity which would benefit the people in the Kingdom as well as in the other parts of the world.

Expressing his sorrow on the demise of King Abdullah, Health Minister Muhammad Alhayazie conveyed the deepest sympathies on behalf of his ministry to the bereaved royal family. “The health care services witnessed tremendous developments under the late King Abdullah’s regime,” the minister said, adding that his efforts not only benefited the country but also promoted the religion of Islam and peace at global and regional levels.