Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman al Saud: Founder and First King of Saudi Arabia

Formation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

After years of unity, Abdulaziz began to build a cohesive modern state.

A Royal Order published on September 19, 1932, named the country the “Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”. The proclamation of the union, which eventually became Saudi National Day, was on September 23.

The new state was formed as a free Arab Islamic country, with Islam as its religion, the Quran and Sunnah as its constitution, Arabic as the official language and Riyadh as its capital.## Constructing a New Saudi State

After unification, King Abdulaziz concentrated on creating procedures to oversee the rising country.

The structures of government were formed and then extended over time. Councils and departments were established to assist in administration and provinces were organised according to the demands of different regions.

And the government also established judicial institutions. In Hejaz new courts and judicial organisations were created to organise the legal system.

Education & Health Care

King Abdulaziz also looked for education and health care.

In 1925 a Directorate of General Knowledge was created to organise and extend educational opportunities. Government schools were set up and teacher training programmes were introduced.

Foreign scholarships were also initiated with which students were sent to study and knowledge and technical skills to other countries.

During his reign, healthcare services also developed. The Public Health Department was created in 1925 and later on medical facilities and health services were set up in different sections of the country. In 1951 the Public Health Department was changed to the Ministry of Health.

...[ Continue to next page ] By: Ruchi Barwal