Prince Sultan: The passing of a Saudi pillar

I do not know any Saudi Arabian whose life had not been touched by the generosity and kindness of the departed Saudi Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz.  It is strange how a Minister of Defense and Aviation, a solid and strong figure, possessed another side, a gentle and tender humanitarian side.  Prince Sultan was very empathic, and he responded to others with unparalleled kindness and tenderness; a rare combination of a person who shouldered immense responsibility but whose heart was still filled with love and empathy.

Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz, the political veteran, possessed sharp insights and was a skilled analyst of events.  He lived through a critical and difficult time in the history of modern Saudi Arabia.  When he took over the Ministry of Defense and Aviation in 1962 he knew what this ministry would mean to a country like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  This is due to Saudi Arabia’s importance, with regards to the holy presence of Mecca and Medina, not to mention its [oil] resources, and the threats and peril that Saudi Arabia faced as a result of this.  This has resulted in Saudi Arabia confronting the greed and ambition of others, with friends turning into enemies, and enemies being fended off via the diplomatic approach.  Prince Sultan headed Saudi Arabia’s air defense during the most difficult and volatile 5 decades of political events.

Prince Sultan had his finger on the button of one of the strongest and most sophisticated air defense systems in the Middle East, but he never ignore the most important thing, namely the security and stability of the people of Saudi Arabia.  He established the Prince Sultan Charitable Foundation, as well as the Sultan Humanitarian City north of Riyadh.  This was a dream come truth for the Prince, and an oasis of stunning humanitarianism bloomed in the midst of the arid desert.  He showed how a prince should act, with regards to his love for his people and his empathy.  The Sultan Humanitarian City has become a special place for the people of Saudi Arabia and the Arab world, with regards to receiving medical treatment and rehabilitation.

There can be no doubt that the passing of Prince Sultan, may he rest in peace, represents a huge humanitarian, cultural, and political loss to the people of Saudi Arabia who he took under his wing.  This is not to mention the loss this represents to the rest of the world, who respected and appreciated Prince Sultan’s wisdom.

Although one is careful to do good deeds throughout one’s life to be rewarded in the hereafter, it is also important that one leave behind a moral legacy for their people and loved ones.  This is not a simple matter, particularly as history is no flatterer, and memory fades.  Therefore perhaps the most beautiful thing that has been said about the passing of the Sultan al-Khair was something posted on Twitter.  This tweet read “in some countries a leader dies and this arouses joy, whilst in Saudi Arabia all heads are bowed in sadness upon the passing of the Crown Prince.  This is a message to all leaders; choose your own epitaph from now, for nobody lives forever.”