Mohammed Al Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Prince Mohammed Al Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is renowned as one of the key figures in shaping modern Islamic economic practices and global banking. As a visionary businessman and dedicated diplomat, Mohammed Al Faisal made a substantial impact by establishing a network of Islamic banks and financial institutions across Arab, Islamic, and Western countries.

In addition, Mohammed Al Faisal contributed significantly to developing infrastructure and sustainable projects within Saudi Arabia and beyond. His tireless advocacy for Islamic finance principles cemented his lasting legacy internationally.

He once proposed an ambitious initiative to transport icebergs from Antarctica to the Red Sea shores for environmental improvement.

Born on January 1, 1937, in Taif, Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Al Faisal was the second son of King Faisal bin Abdulaziz and Princess Effat Al-Thunayan. His mother profoundly impacted Saudi society by pioneering female education through initiatives like Dar Al Hanan School and Effat University.

Mohammed began his formal education at Taif’s Model School before relocating to the United States. He pursued studies at The Hun School in New Jersey and later attended Menlo College in San Francisco, obtaining his bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Administration in 1963.

Prince Mohammed Al Faisal married Mona bint Abdel Rahman Azzam, daughter of the first Secretary-General of the Arab League. Together, they had three children: Amr, an engineer; Maha, a noted novelist; and Reem, a professional photographer.

– Temporarily lost memory due to a severe bout of typhoid at around age ten but recovered fully.

– Played a diplomatic role connecting the Saudi government with the administration of U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

– Initiated groundbreaking projects in water desalination, establishing Saudi Arabia’s first desalination plant in Jeddah in the late 1960s.

– Founded the International Association for Arab Islamic Schools in 1976 and served as its chairman.

Prince Mohammed Al Faisal bin Abdulaziz passed away on Saturday, January 14, 2017, at the age of 80. Funeral prayers took place at Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca the same day.

Prince Mohammed Al Faisal had numerous accomplishments, including:

– Headed the former Riyadh Airport from 1959 to 1967.

– Served in Saudi Arabia’s United Nations diplomatic mission.

– Held senior roles in key institutions such as the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture.

– Spearheaded major water desalination projects along the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coasts.

– Founded and maintained chairmanship in several major financial groups focusing on Islamic banking, most notably:

– Faisal Islamic Bank in Egypt and Sudan.

– Faisal Islamic Bank in Bahrain.

– Ithmaar Bank (Bahrain).

– Faisal Finance Institutions in Switzerland, the Bahamas, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands Antilles.

– Saudi Gulf Investment Company and Egyptian Gulf Financial Investment Company.

– Solidarity insurance.

– Faisal Islamic Bank in Pakistan.

– Islamic Investment Company of the Gulf in Sharjah.

– Dar Al Maal Al Islami Trust in New Jersey, USA.

– Established “Prince Mohammed Al Faisal Prize for Islamic Economic Studies,” chaired later by his son, Amr Al Faisal.

– Founded the Al Manarat Schools in Saudi Arabia.