Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Abdulaziz bin Madhi Witnessed Establishment, Transformation of Saudi Arabia | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55359059
Caption:

The lives of Abdulaziz bin Madhi and many other figures from his family are well known; they have been considered patriotic symbols across all the regions of the Kingdom and still maintain achievements in different fields and enjoy distinction in their behaviors and decent morals.

In the contemporary history of Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsula, many figures of this family emerged like their grand-father Mohammad bin Madhi (end of 17th till middle of 18th century) in the era of the first Saudi Arabian state; Mashari bin Madhi and Poet Turki bin Madhi who lived during the rule of Imam Turki bin Abdullah, founder of the Second Saudi Arabia State. In the modern era, the family has introduced Abdulaziz bin Jaser bin Madhi and his two sons Mohammad and Abdulaziz; and Turki bin Mohammad and his two brothers Abdullah and Hamad Madhi, and his son Mohammad bin Hamad al-Madhi who worked at the court of King Abdulaziz.

People who read published memoires of Turki bin Madhi will realize the important role he played among delegations sent to Yemen in 1924-1933 during the old conflict with Saudi Arabia, which was concluded by Al-Taif agreement in 1934.

However, Abdulaziz bin Madhi, subject of the article, was born concurrently with the conquest of Al-Ahsa and Qatif provinces during the ruling of Sultan Abdulaziz (1912); he witnessed the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the peak of the radical transformation in it: from poverty to oil discovery; from fear to security and stability; from ignorance to knowledge; from separation to unity; from houses of mud to skyscrapers; he lived during the reigns of five kings with remarkable awareness and maturity, and handled many positions in many regions ending his path as Prince of Al-Khobar till 1955.

During an interview in 1977, Madhi spoke about his family and its symbols, his city, the conflicts which took place before unifying the different Saudi provinces, his poetry, his brother Mohammad bin Abdulaziz bin Madhi who was close to King Abdulaziz. He also talked about his memories with King Faisal, the positions he held, and invasions he witnessed.

Since 1948 and the last five decades of his life, he settled in Al-Khobar where he died two decades ago; During his life, he created tight relations with the cultured elite and businessmen in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia (Dammam, Dhahran, Qatif, Al-Khobar, and the neighboring regions); he also maintained good relations with students in King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM or UPM), and King Faisal University in the Eastern Region…People in this region were always known with remarkable social connections, brotherhood, and friendship. The Emir’s house was a destination for those people to hold discussions, and to listen to his stories about heritage particularly during occasions and Eids.

“Bin Madhi” or “Prince of Al-Khobar”, a symbol from this family and other families, which have all contributed – along with the great founders (King Abdulaziz and his leaders in all the country) – to making the legend of unity known today as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Today, their sons and grandsons are proudly celebrating the Kingdom’s 84th National Day.