Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Faisal has been deputy governor of Madinah since May 2017. He is also deputy governor for investment affairs at the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), and a board member at the Saudi Industrial Property Authority (MODON).
He is vice chairman of joint economic commissions between Saudi Arabia and Switzerland, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Greece, Azerbaijan and Senegal.
Prince Saud is also president of the National Competitiveness Center (NCC), which was established by SAGIA in December 2010.
He received his bachelor’s degree in finance from King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals in 2001.
He was a financial analyst at Saudi Aramco from May 2001 to July 2008, chief financial officer for investment affairs at SAGIA and the NCC from July 2008 to January 2009, and chief operating officer for investment affairs at SAGIA and the NCC from January 2009 to December 2010.
On Saturday, Prince Saud sponsored the closing ceremony of the first phase of the Arabic Calligraphy Center in Madinah, an initiative of Tatweer Co. for Educational Services.
The ceremony was attended by Nasser Al-Abdulkareem, director of education in Madinah, Dr. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Qahtani, Tatweer’s general director of the student activities and community sector, and Saeed bin Mohsen Al-Turki, director of Tatweer’s life skills program.
Prince Saud visited the center and the accompanying art exhibition at the Dar Al-Qalam educational complex, where he saw a visual presentation of the center’s first phase.
FaceOf: Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Faisal, deputy governor of Madinah
FaceOf: Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Faisal, deputy governor of Madinah
- Prince Saud received his bachelor’s degree in finance from King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals in 2001
Najran’s camels are embedded in local culture and traditions
- Several distinct camel breeds are found in the region
- Animals permeate Arab consciousness, says expert
RIYADH: In Najran, camels are not only a vital livestock resource but also a cornerstone of local identity and tradition.
According to Hadi Benyan Al-Amer, head of Najran’s Camel Association, the region has several distinct camel breeds.
Principal among them is the Awarik, an ancient Arabian lineage linked to territories where arak trees flourish, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
These light-colored, sparsely-haired camels possess remarkable resilience, and are prevalent across southern Arabia.
The Majahim are characterized by dark hues spanning black to brown, and excel in both milk yield and endurance.
The Asayil are prized for their sleek, lean physiques, and dominate in speed-based competitions.
Al-Amer said traditional water sources known as Odood, or traditional water wells and artesian wells, have sustained herders navigating the Empty Quarter’s grazing lands for generations.
These permanent water points, equipped with dedicated drinking basins for camels, showcase the animals’ extraordinary environmental resilience.
Among the principal wells accessible from Najran are Al-Minkhali, Abu Shadid, Hamra Nathil, Tamani, Umm Al-Wahat, and Khujaima.
Countless additional wells dot the Empty Quarter and adjacent territories, forming the backbone of camel owners’ far-reaching pastoral networks.
Dr. Hind bint Dawood Al-Shuqair of Najran University’s Arabic Language Department explained how camels have permeated Arab consciousness through legends and stories spanning thousands of years.
Representing endurance, power, and grace, they have become inseparable from Arab cultural identity.
Archaeological evidence at Al-Ukhdood, Mount Al-Tharwa and Hima, preserves through carvings and ancient artwork the deep bond between people and camels, Al-Shuqair said.
She drew attention to Saudi Arabia’s substantial investment in camel heritage, exemplified by proclaiming 2024 as the Year of the Camel.
This designation emphasizes their importance to national prosperity and cultural heritage while backing global initiatives to promote awareness of camels as valuable economic and cultural assets.
The Kingdom further demonstrates its commitment to protecting the animals through the annual King Abdulaziz Festival, the SPA reported.
