Mohammed bin Salman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mohammed bin Salman Al Saudمحمد بن سلمان آل سعود |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg)
Mohammed in 2019
|
|||||
| Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia | |||||
| Assumed office 21 June 2017 |
|||||
| Monarch | Salman bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| Preceded by | Muhammad bin Nayef | ||||
| 6th Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia | |||||
| Assumed office 27 September 2022 |
|||||
| Monarch | Salman bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| Preceded by | Salman bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| 8th First Deputy Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia | |||||
| In office 21 June 2017 – 27 September 2022 |
|||||
| Monarch | Salman bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| Preceded by | Muhammad bin Nayef | ||||
|
|||||
| In office 29 April 2015 – 21 June 2017 |
|||||
| Monarch | Salman bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| Prime Minister | Salman bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| Deputy | Muhammad bin Nayef | ||||
| Preceded by | Muhammad bin Nayef | ||||
| Succeeded by | Muhammad bin Muqrin | ||||
| Minister of Defense | |||||
| In office 23 January 2015 – 27 September 2022 |
|||||
| Monarch | Salman bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| Prime Minister | Salman bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| Preceded by | Salman bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| Succeeded by | Khalid bin Salman | ||||
| Born | 31 August 1985 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
||||
| Spouse |
Sara bint Mashour Al Saud
(m. 2008) |
||||
| Issue |
|
||||
|
|||||
| House | Al Saud | ||||
| Father | Salman bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| Mother | Fahda bint Falah Al Hithlain | ||||
| Alma mater | King Saud University | ||||
| Military career | |||||
| Allegiance |  Saudi Arabia |
||||
| Service/ |
Saudi Arabian Armed Forces | ||||
| Battles/wars | Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war | ||||
| Signature | |||||
 |
|||||
Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (Arabic: محمد بن سلمان آل سعود, romanized: Muḥammad bin Salmān Āl Su‘ūd), born on 31 August 1985, is a very important leader in Saudi Arabia. People often call him MBS or MbS. He is currently the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. This means he is the next in line to become King. He is the seventh son of the current King, King Salman of Saudi Arabia, and a grandson of the country's founder, Ibn Saud.
Mohammed is the first child of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and his third wife, Fahda bint Falah Al Hithlain. He studied law at King Saud University. After finishing his studies, he became an advisor to his father in 2009. When his father became King in 2015, Mohammed was made deputy crown prince and defense minister. In 2017, he was promoted to crown prince. In 2022, he took over from his father as prime minister.
Mohammed bin Salman has brought many changes to Saudi Arabia. He has introduced social and economic reforms. These include reducing the power of religious police and improving women's rights. For example, women were allowed to drive in 2018. He also made changes to the male-guardianship system in 2019. However, some women's rights activists have faced challenges. His plan, called Saudi Vision 2030, aims to make Saudi Arabia less dependent on oil. It focuses on investing in new areas like technology and tourism.
Under Mohammed's leadership, Saudi Arabia has also become more active in foreign policy. The country works with Russia on energy and has stronger ties with China. Saudi Arabia has also expanded its relationships with countries in Africa, South America, and Asia. He was involved in the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen and the Qatar diplomatic crisis.
Contents
- Early Life and Education
- Becoming a Powerful Leader
- How He Leads
- Changes in Saudi Arabia
- Foreign Policy Actions
- Personal Life
- Honors and Awards
- See also
Early Life and Education
Mohammed bin Salman was born on 31 August 1985. His parents are Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz (who later became King) and his third wife, Fahda bint Falah Al Hithlain. He is the oldest of his mother's six children. He is also the eighth child and seventh son of his father. His brothers include Prince Turki and Prince Khalid, who is now the Defense Minister. Mohammed earned a law degree from King Saud University. He was one of the top students in his class.
Starting His Career
After university, Mohammed worked in private businesses for a few years. Then, he became an aide to his father. He worked as a consultant for the Experts Commission, which helps the Saudi Cabinet. In December 2009, when he was 24, he started his political career. He became a special advisor to his father, who was the governor of Riyadh Province at the time. Mohammed then held several other important roles. These included secretary-general of the Riyadh Competitive Council. He was also a special advisor for the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives.
In October 2011, Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz passed away. Prince Salman became the second deputy prime minister and minister of defense. He made Mohammed his private advisor. In June 2012, Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz died. Mohammed's father became the new crown prince. Mohammed then became chief of the Crown Prince Court in March 2013. He was also given the rank of minister. In April 2014, Mohammed was appointed state minister.
Becoming a Powerful Leader
Minister of Defense Role
.jpg)
.jpg)
On 23 January 2015, King Abdullah died. Salman became King. Mohammed was then appointed minister of defense. He also became secretary general of the royal court. He kept his role as minister of state.
The conflict in Yemen quickly became a big challenge for the new defense minister. In late 2014, Houthis took control of northern Yemen. The president and his government resigned. Mohammed's first action as minister was to gather a group of countries. This group, called the GCC coalition, started air strikes against the Houthis. They also set up a naval blockade. In March 2015, Saudi Arabia led this group against the Houthi rebels.
In April 2015, King Salman made his nephew Muhammad bin Nayef the crown prince. He made his son Mohammed the deputy crown prince. In December 2015, Mohammed announced a military alliance of Islamic countries against terrorism. Some countries involved said they had not been asked about it first.
Mohammed gave an interview in January 2016 to The Economist. He was called the "architect of the war in Yemen." He denied this. He explained that many groups were involved in the decision-making. He also said the Houthis took power before he became defense minister.
To fight ISIL, Mohammed created the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC). This is a Saudi-led alliance against terrorism. Its first meeting was in Riyadh in November 2017. Defense ministers and officials from 41 countries attended.
Becoming Crown Prince
Mohammed became crown prince on 21 June 2017. This happened after the King decided to remove Muhammad bin Nayef. On the day Mohammed became crown prince, Donald Trump, the US President, called to congratulate him. They promised to work closely on security and economic issues. They also talked about stopping support for terrorism.
In April 2022, Prince Mohammed met with the new Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Anti-Corruption Efforts
In May 2017, Mohammed warned that no one would escape if they were involved in corruption. In November 2017, he ordered about 200 wealthy business people and princes to be held. This included Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, a well-known billionaire. They were held on charges of corruption. Others arrested included Prince Mutaib bin Abdullah, who led the Saudi Arabian National Guard.
The Saudi government announced in January 2019 that the anti-corruption work was finished. Saudi Arabia's score on the Corruption Perceptions Index has slowly improved.
Prime Minister Role
On 27 September 2022, King Salman appointed Mohammed as Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. Usually, the King holds this title.
How He Leads
His Ideas and Style
Mohammed's way of thinking has been called nationalist and populist. He is traditional in politics but more open on money and social issues. His leadership style has been described as very strong. He has also promoted an Arab nationalist idea at home and in foreign policy. He focuses on opposing certain religious movements.
Strong Leadership
Mohammed leads a very strong government in Saudi Arabia. Human rights activists have faced challenges. Critics and journalists have also been targeted. The government has focused on Saudi people who speak out from other countries. Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist, was killed. Mohammed has said that strong actions are needed to make reforms in Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed has gained more power during his time as leader. He greatly limited the powers of the Saudi religious police. In January 2015, he became the head of the new Council for Economic and Development Affairs. In April 2015, he was given control over Saudi Aramco, the state oil company.
Changes in Saudi Arabia
Religious Changes
One of Mohammed's biggest changes has been limiting the power of Saudi religious leaders. He has allowed Western singers and performers to come to Saudi Arabia. This is very different from what religious conservatives wanted. Under Mohammed, the government has promoted a new Saudi identity. This identity focuses less on religious history.
In a 2018 interview, Mohammed said that Saudi Arabia has both Sunni and Shiite Muslims. He said their laws come from Islam and the Qur'an. He also said that different schools of thought exist within Islam.
Less Power for Religious Police
In 2016, Mohammed greatly reduced the powers of the "Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice" (CPVPV). This group, also known as the Islamic religious police, used to have thousands of officers. They could arrest and question people. Now, they are not allowed to pursue or detain anyone. Cinemas have reopened, and social freedoms have increased.
Changes to Laws
Mohammed has said that in Islamic law, the ruler is the head of the Islamic establishment. He has a law degree and uses his knowledge to guide religious matters. In an interview in April 2021, Mohammed said that religious rulings should change with time and place. He said they should not be seen as unchangeable.
Mohammed has ordered a new system for Saudi laws. This will reduce the power of individual religious judges. Many conservative religious leaders have changed their views to support the government.
Abaya Rules
In December 2022, Saudi Arabia's Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC) said that Muslim female students should not wear the traditional abaya to exam centers. They said students should wear school uniforms instead. Later, ETEC clarified that this rule was only for all-female exam centers run by them.
Economic Changes
Vision 2030 Plan
Mohammed is leading a big change in Saudi Arabia's economy. In April 2016, he announced Vision 2030. This is a plan for the country's future over 15 years. Vision 2030 aims to make Saudi Arabia's economy more diverse. It wants to rely less on oil. The plan includes goals for non-oil income and privatization. It also focuses on e-government and sustainable development.
One main reason for Vision 2030 is that Saudi Arabia relies heavily on oil. Oil resources are limited, so the country needs other ways to make money in the future.
In October 2017, Mohammed announced plans for Neom. This is a huge economic zone that will cost $500 billion. It will cover a large area on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast. Neom aims to attract money for new industries. These include renewable energy, biotechnology, and robotics. To boost tourism, Saudi Arabia started giving tourist visas to foreigners in 2018.
Mohammed also tried to make Saudi Arabia stronger in global oil markets. He wanted to keep oil prices low to hurt competitors. This plan did not work as expected. Saudi Arabia had to cut oil production in November 2016.
In September 2018, Mohammed opened a new $6.7 billion high-speed railway. It connects Mecca and Medina, two holy cities. The Haramain Express is 450 km long. It can carry about 60 million passengers each year.
In October 2018, Mohammed said that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund was growing. He expected it to reach over $600 billion by 2020.
Mohammed also announced a project to build Saudi Arabia's first nuclear reactor in November 2018. The country plans to build 16 nuclear facilities in the next 20 years. They are also investing in wind and solar energy.
Oil Industry
Saudi Arabia is the biggest oil producer in OPEC. It has the second-largest oil reserves in the world. In September 2021, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met Mohammed to discuss high oil prices. In October 2022, Saudi Arabia cut oil production. The US government said this would help Russia. Saudi Arabia said the cut was to keep global oil markets stable.
Relations between Russia and Saudi Arabia have grown stronger under Mohammed. They now work together on oil export decisions.
Sports Development
Mohammed has spent a lot of money on sports since 2017. He has also worked to bring major sports events to Saudi Arabia. These include the FIFA Club World Cup and the Asian Games. In 2023, Mohammed said that sports are key to making Saudi Arabia a top tourist spot. He explained that tourism needs culture and sports to create activities.
Domestic Changes
Mohammed created an entertainment authority. This group now hosts comedy shows, wrestling events, and monster truck rallies. In 2019, Saudi Arabia approved a new residency plan for foreigners. This plan allows foreigners to live, own property, and invest in the country permanently.
In April 2016, new taxes and cuts in government help were introduced. There was also a plan to diversify the economy. This included creating a $2 trillion Saudi sovereign wealth fund. Mohammed also planned to sell shares of Saudi Aramco, the state oil company. The money would be used to invest in other areas.
In April 2017, Mohammed announced a project to build a huge cultural, sports, and entertainment city called Qiddiya. It will include a safari and a Six Flags theme park.
.jpg)
In October 2017, Mohammed said that Saudi Arabia had not been "normal" for 30 years. He blamed strict religious ideas that came after the Iranian Revolution. He wants Saudi Arabia to return to being a "moderate Islam" country. This means being open to all religions and the world.
More cultural changes followed. In December 2017, Saudi Arabia had its first public concert by a female singer. In January 2018, a sports stadium in Jeddah allowed women for the first time. In April 2018, the first public cinema opened after a 35-year ban. There are plans for over 2,000 screens by 2030.
In an interview in September 2019, Mohammed invited people to visit Saudi Arabia. He asked them to meet Saudi citizens to see the changes.
In April 2020, Saudi Arabia stopped flogging as a punishment. This was part of human rights reforms. The next day, the death penalty for crimes committed by minors was also ended.
Human Rights and Reforms
Early in his leadership, Mohammed tried to show Saudi Arabia was making reforms. However, human rights groups say that challenges have increased. They report more arrests of activists.
In September 2017, several human rights activists were arrested. These included Abdulaziz al-Shubaily and Mustafa al-Hassan. Before the ban on women driving was lifted in June 2018, 17 women's rights activists were arrested. This included Loujain al-Hathloul, who campaigned for women to drive.
In August 2019, Loujain al-Hathloul's brother said she was offered release. But she had to deny that she was abused in prison. She refused the offer.
Mohammed has made some changes to improve women's rights. In September 2017, he lifted the ban on women driving. He also changed some parts of the male guardianship system. In 2019, a new law allowed women over 21 to get passports and travel without male guardian permission. In February 2018, Saudi women could legally open their own businesses. Mothers can now keep immediate custody of their children after divorce.
In February 2017, Saudi Arabia appointed its first woman to lead the Saudi Stock Exchange.
Arrest of Muhammad bin Nayef
Muhammad bin Nayef was arrested in March 2020. His half-brother and King Salman's brother were also arrested. They were accused of trying to overthrow Mohammed bin Salman.
Foreign Policy Actions
Conflicts in Syria and Yemen
Some people have called Mohammed the leader behind the war in Yemen. In January 2016, a German intelligence agency described him as a leader who was making the Arab world unstable.
Mohammed leads the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen. This is against the Houthi rebels. The Houthis took over Sana'a in 2015. Air strikes by the coalition have caused many civilian deaths. This has led to accusations of war crimes. The war and blockade of Yemen have cost Saudi Arabia a lot of money. It has also made the humanitarian crisis in Yemen much worse. The war has destroyed much of Yemen's infrastructure.
In August 2018, the United Nations reported that all sides in the conflict were responsible for human rights violations. They said these actions could be considered war crimes. In October 2018, the UN warned that millions of Yemenis were at risk of starvation. In March 2023, Saudi Arabia began talks to bring Syria back into the Arab League.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Relations with Israel
In December 2017, Mohammed criticized the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. In 2018, he supported the idea of a Jewish homeland in Israel. This was the first time a senior Saudi royal said this publicly. In September 2019, Mohammed spoke against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to take over parts of the West Bank. In 2020, Mohammed met with Netanyahu. The US has been pushing for Israel and Saudi Arabia to have normal relations. However, due to the Israel-Hamas war, Mohammed has called for a global arms embargo against Israel. He also said that his people care deeply about the Palestinian issue.
Relationship with Russia
_02.jpg)
Under Mohammed's leadership, Saudi Arabia has made its relationship with Russian president Vladimir Putin stronger. In 2016, they signed an agreement to work together in global oil markets. Russia has not criticized the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen. In 2021, Mohammed signed a military cooperation agreement with Russia.
After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Mohammed strengthened his ties with Putin. Russia and Saudi Arabia are working together to cut oil output. This helps increase oil prices. In September 2022, Saudi Arabia helped release prisoners of war from Ukraine. In December 2023, Putin visited Saudi Arabia and met with Mohammed.
Relations with Turkey
In March 2018, Mohammed called Turkey part of a "triangle of evil." However, Mohammed later worked to improve relations with Turkey in 2022. In July 2023, he and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan agreed on a big deal. Saudi Arabia will buy Turkish drones.
Relations with the United States
With the Trump Administration
.jpg)
When Donald Trump became president, support for Mohammed bin Salman was strong. Mohammed was invited to the White House. He was treated like a foreign head of state. He supported the Trump administration's travel ban for people from some Muslim countries. Trump later said, "We've put our man on top." The Trump administration also supported Mohammed after the killing of Jamal Khashoggi.
With the Biden Administration
In 2019, Joe Biden criticized Mohammed. He called him an outcast because of the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi. In July 2021, Mohammed's brother visited the US. This was the first meeting between top US and Saudi officials since Khashoggi's death. In September 2021, Biden's national security adviser met Mohammed.
Trade between the US and Saudi Arabia has decreased. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Saudi Arabia did not agree to US requests to increase oil production. This would have hurt Russia's war finances. The Wall Street Journal said in April 2022 that US-Saudi relations were at their lowest point in decades.
Relations became weaker after OPEC+ cut oil production. The US government was angry. They accused Saudi Arabia of siding with Russia. Saudi Arabia said the move was to stabilize oil markets. Biden threatened "consequences" against Saudi Arabia. However, relations have since improved. This includes Biden's visit to Saudi Arabia and approval of an arms deal.
Relations with Qatar
In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, led by Mohammed, started a diplomatic crisis with Qatar. They cut ties and blocked the country. They said Qatar supported terrorism. Reuters reported that Mohammed said the dispute could last a long time.
In January 2021, Qatar and Saudi Arabia agreed to end the crisis. Saudi Arabia reopened its border with Qatar. This was a step towards reconciliation.
Resignation of Saad Hariri
In November 2017, Mohammed reportedly forced Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri to resign. This happened when Hariri visited Saudi Arabia. Mohammed believed Hariri was too close to a group supported by Iran. Hariri later returned to Lebanon and took back his resignation.
Saudi–Canadian Dispute
In August 2018, Canada's foreign minister expressed concern about the arrest of a human rights activist in Saudi Arabia. In response, Saudi Arabia expelled Canada's ambassador. They also froze trade with Canada. The Toronto Star said this was a warning from Mohammed. Diplomatic ties were restored in May 2023.
Jamal Khashoggi's Death
.jpg)
In October 2018, Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared. He was a critic of Mohammed. He went missing after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Turkish officials believed Khashoggi was killed at the consulate. They said a medical expert was part of a Saudi team seen at the consulate. Saudi Arabia denied the accusations. The Washington Post reported that Mohammed had tried to get Khashoggi to return to Saudi Arabia earlier.
Some reports linked members of Mohammed's personal bodyguard to the event. A former head of British intelligence said it was "very likely" that Mohammed ordered the killing. After Khashoggi's death, some people started calling Mohammed "Mister Bone Saw." This name refers to how Khashoggi's remains were reportedly handled.
Mohammed has denied being involved in the killing. He blamed it on rogue operators. However, many Western countries are not convinced. They believe it could not have happened without Mohammed knowing. Donald Trump called the Saudi response "one of the worst in the history of cover-ups."
In November 2018, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) concluded that Mohammed likely ordered Khashoggi's murder. They based this on evidence, including a conversation involving Mohammed's brother. After a briefing by the CIA, US senators were convinced Mohammed played a major role. Senator Lindsey Graham said, "You have to be willfully blind not to come to the conclusion that this was orchestrated and organised by people under the command of MBS."
In June 2019, a UN report linked Mohammed to the event. In a PBS documentary, Mohammed said he takes "full responsibility for what happened" because it happened under his watch. But he denied knowing about the murder in advance.
In February 2021, a US intelligence report stated that Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman approved the operation to capture or kill Jamal Khashoggi. In November 2022, Mohammed gained US immunity over Khashoggi's murder due to his role as prime minister. However, the Biden administration said this did not mean he was innocent.
Relations with China
Relations between China and Saudi Arabia have grown stronger under Mohammed. Trade between the two countries has increased a lot. In February 2019, Mohammed defended China's policies in Xinjiang. He said China had the right to fight terrorism for its national security. China has been Saudi Arabia's largest economic partner since 2014. Saudi Arabia is also China's biggest source of oil.
In 2019, Chinese officials planned to connect Saudi Vision 2030 with China's Belt and Road Initiative. They also wanted to increase cooperation in many areas. Since 2021, China has helped Saudi Arabia with its ballistic missile program. In December 2022, Mohammed hosted Chinese president Xi Jinping in Riyadh. They signed many business deals. They also made their relationship a "comprehensive strategic partnership."
In March 2023, Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to restore diplomatic ties. This deal was made with China's help.
Hack of Jeff Bezos's Phone
In March 2019, a security expert for Jeff Bezos (owner of The Washington Post and Amazon) accused Saudi Arabia of hacking Bezos's phone. In January 2020, an investigation found that Bezos's phone was likely hacked. This happened after a message was sent from Mohammed's WhatsApp account in May 2018.
United Nations experts said the alleged hack suggested Mohammed was trying to influence The Washington Post's reporting. They said it was important for understanding Mohammed's possible involvement in Jamal Khashoggi's death.
Environmental Views
Under Mohammed's leadership, Saudi Arabia has tried to weaken global agreements on reducing carbon emissions. Mohammed has promised that Saudi Arabia will reach net zero emissions. However, these plans mainly rely on new technologies that are not yet fully proven.
Personal Life
_29.jpg)
On 6 April 2008, Mohammed married his first cousin Sara bint Mashour. They have five children. In 2015, Mohammed bought a very expensive yacht called Serene for €500 million. In the same year, he bought a castle in France for over $300 million. In 2018, Forbes magazine ranked him as the eighth most powerful person in the world.
In December 2017, reports said Mohammed bought the painting Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci. The painting sold for $450 million, setting a new record. The auction house and Saudi embassy denied this. The painting has not been seen publicly since the auction. Some believe it is on Mohammed's yacht.
Honors and Awards
| Styles of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud |
|
|---|---|
.svg) |
|
| Reference style | His Royal Highness |
| Spoken style | Your Royal Highness |
Bahrain:
Member Exceptional Class of the Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa (25 November 2018)
Tunisia:
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Republic (28 November 2018)
Pakistan:
Nishan-e-Pakistan (18 February 2019)
Oman:
Civil First Class of the Order of Oman (7 December 2021)
UAE:
Collar of the Order of Zayed (7 December 2021)
Jordan:
Collar of the Order of Al-Hussein bin Ali (21 June 2022)
Ukraine:
First Class of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (30 December 2023)
_-_ribbon_bar.gif){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
See also
In Spanish: Mohamed bin Salmán para niños
- List of current heirs apparent
- List of state leaders by age#Youngest serving state leaders
