Sara bint Faisal Al Saud

In this Arabic name, the surname is Al Saud.
Sara bint Faisal Al Saud
Born1935 (age 88–89)
SpouseMuhammed bin Saud Al Saud
Names
Sara bint Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud
HouseAl Saud
FatherKing Faisal
MotherIffat Al Thunayan
Alma materWellesley College

Sara bint Faisal Al Saud (Arabic: سارة بنت فيصل آل سعود Sara bint Fayṣal Āl Su'ūd; born 1935) is a member of the House of Saud, the Saudi royal family. She was among the first female members of the Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia who served in the post between January 2013 and December 2016.

Early life and education

Sara bint Faisal is the eldest child of King Faisal and Iffat Al Thunayan who was of Turkish descent.[1][2][3] She was born in 1935.[3] Her full-siblings include Prince Mohammad, Princess Latifa, Prince Saud, Prince Abdul Rahman, Prince Bandar, Prince Turki, Princess Lolowah and Princess Haifa.[2][3]

Sara bint Faisal learned Turkish language from her mother during her childhood.[3] She graduated from Wellesley College.[4]

Career and activities

King Faisal, father of Sara

Princess Sara and her sister Princess Latifa established one of the first charitable organizations in Saudi Arabia, Al Nahda, in 1962.[5][6] Princess Sara was the chair of the organization for a long time[7] The organization was awarded the first Chaillot prize for human rights organizations in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf in 2009.[8] She also established the private Al Tarbeya Al Islamiya Schools in Riyadh in 1964.[2] She was replaced by Princess Moudi bint Khalid as chair of Al Nahda.[9]

As of 2009 Princess Sara was the chair of Effat University's board of founders and board of trustees.[10][11] She was also chair of Riyadh-based Art of Heritage organization.[12] In addition, she served as member of the various organizations, including Maharat Center.[13]

Princess Sara was named as a member of the Consultative Assembly on 11 January 2013.[14][15] She was one of the first two royal women appointed to the assembly along with Princess Moudi bint Khalid.[16][17][18] Tenure of both royal women ended in December 2016 when King Salman appointed new members to the assembly.[19]

Personal life

Sara bint Faisal is the widow of Mohammad bin Saud, son of King Saud.[20][21] They had no children.[3]

Honors

In May 2013, Princess Sara was awarded King Abdulaziz Medal of First Class for her activities.[22][23]

References

  1. ^ Steve Coll. (2009). The Bin Ladens: an Arabian Family in the American Century. p. 163, New York: Penguin Books. ISBN 9781594201646
  2. ^ a b c Rania Suleiman Salama. "الأميرة عفت الثنيان". Arabiyat Magazine (in Arabic). Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e Joseph A. Kechichian (2014). 'Iffat Al Thunayan: an Arabian Queen. Brighton: Sussex Academic Press. pp. 54, 64, 66. ISBN 9781845196851.
  4. ^ "Saudi Arabia" (PDF). Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training. p. 56. Archived from the original (Country Readers Series) on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  5. ^ Amélie Le Renard (2008). ""Only for Women:" Women, the State, and Reform in Saudi Arabia". The Middle East Journal. 62 (4): 622. doi:10.3751/62.4.13.
  6. ^ Nora Derbal (2020). "Humanitarian Service in the Name of Social Development: The Historic Origins of Women's Welfare Associations in Saudi Arabia". In E. Möller; J. Paulmann; K. Stornig (eds.). Gendering Global Humanitarianism in the Twentieth Century. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 167–192. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-44630-7_7. ISBN 978-3-030-44629-1. S2CID 226630086.
  7. ^ "Board of Directors". Al Nahda. Archived from the original on 27 June 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  8. ^ Ana Echagüe; Edward Burke (June 2009). "'Strong Foundations'? The Imperative for Reform in Saudi Arabia" (PDF). FRIDE. pp. 1–23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  9. ^ "Princess Sara, wife of Saudi crown prince, sponsors Alnahda charity ceremony". Arab News. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  10. ^ "Board of Founders". Effat University. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  11. ^ "10th Anniversary of Effat University" (PDF). Effat University. 10 November 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  12. ^ Danna Lorch (17 December 2017). "The Ten-Minute Read: HRH Princess Basma's Birthday Art of Heritage Initiative". Vogue Arabia.
  13. ^ "Board of Trustees". Maharat Center. Archived from the original on 19 February 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  14. ^ "Two royal orders issued". Saudi Press Agency. 11 January 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  15. ^ "Breakthrough in Saudi Arabia: women allowed in parliament". Al Arabiya. 11 January 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  16. ^ Brandon Friedman (28 January 2013). "The Saudi Kingdom in Transition: Women Appointed to the Majlis". Telaviv Notes. 7 (2).
  17. ^ "Royal orders amend Shura Council system and form new chamber". Royal Embassy, Washington DC. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  18. ^ Effat University Chairperson Message
  19. ^ "مجلس الشورى السعودي الجديد‎ خال من الأميرات". Syrian News Station (in Arabic). 12 March 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  20. ^ Stig Stenslie (2011). "Power Behind the Veil: Princesses of the House of Saud". Journal of Arabian Studies: Arabia, the Gulf, and the Red Sea. 1 (1): 69–79. doi:10.1080/21534764.2011.576050. S2CID 153320942.
  21. ^ Sharaf Sabri (2001). The House of Saud in Commerce: A Study of Royal Entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia. New Delhi: I. S. Publications. p. 72. ISBN 978-81-901254-0-6.
  22. ^ "Saudi Arabia: Princess Sara honoured Medal of First Class". Gulf States Newsletter (946). 9 May 2013.
  23. ^ "Princess Sarah Al Faisal Al Saud". Women 2030. Retrieved 10 October 2020.