Nawwaf bin Abdulaziz Al Saud facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nawwaf bin Abdulaziz Al Saud |
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| Director General of Intelligence Agency | |||||
| In office | 1 September 2001 – 26 January 2005 | ||||
| Predecessor | Turki bin Faisal | ||||
| Successor | Muqrin bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| Monarch | Fahd | ||||
| Born | 16 August 1932 Taif, Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd |
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| Died | 29 September 2015 (aged 83) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
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| Spouse | Jawahir Al Sheikh | ||||
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| Dynasty | Al Saud | ||||
| Father | King Abdulaziz | ||||
| Mother | Munaiyir | ||||
Nawwaf bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (Arabic: نواف بن عبد العزيز آل سعود, Nawwāf bin 'Abd al 'Azīz Āl Su'ūd; born 16 August 1932 – died 29 September 2015) was an important Saudi Arabian businessman and politician. He was a member of the House of Saud, which is the ruling family of Saudi Arabia. Prince Nawwaf became a close friend and helper to King Abdullah. He held several important government jobs, including leading Saudi Arabia's intelligence agency.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Prince Nawwaf was born in Shubra Palace in Taif on 16 August 1932. He was the twenty-second son of King Abdulaziz, who was the first king of Saudi Arabia.
He had a full brother named Prince Talal and a full sister named Princess Madawi. Their mother was Munaiyir, who was known for her intelligence and beauty. She was considered one of King Abdulaziz's favorite wives. Munaiyir passed away in December 1991.
Education and Learning
Nawwaf bin Abdulaziz went to a special school for royal family members. There, he learned about Arabic language and Islamic studies. He also studied subjects like geography, history, and geometry. Later, he continued his studies in Islamic civilization in Saudi Arabia and went to the United States for higher education.
Career and Government Roles
Prince Nawwaf had many important roles in the Saudi Arabian government.
Early Government Positions
From 1952 to 1956, he was the commander of the royal guard. In 1961, he briefly served as the chief of the royal court. He then became the Minister of Finance from September 1961 to March 1962.
Special Advisor Roles
In 1968, King Faisal chose him as a special advisor for matters related to the Persian Gulf region. He held this role until 1975. Because of his experience, King Faisal often sent him to represent Saudi Arabia at important meetings, including Arab and Islamic summits. Prince Nawwaf was very knowledgeable about international politics and the Middle East. He worked hard to help unite the Arab emirates in the Gulf region. He also acted as a special messenger for the Saudi government, helping to solve problems in Africa, the Middle East, and other parts of the world. He often traveled with King Abdullah when he was Crown Prince.
Leading the Intelligence Agency
Prince Nawwaf was appointed as the director general of the Saudi intelligence agency, Al Mukhabarat Al A'amah, on 1 September 2001. He took over after Prince Turki resigned. This was an important position, and he served in it until 26 January 2005, when he resigned due to health reasons. After his resignation, King Fahd appointed him as his special advisor. Later, Prince Muqrin took over his role at the intelligence agency. Prince Nawwaf continued to be a special advisor to King Abdullah and later to King Salman.
Other Activities and Interests
Prince Nawwaf supported the Free Princes Movement in the early 1960s, which was led by his brother Prince Talal. He also helped start industrial projects both inside and outside Saudi Arabia to support the Arab economy. He played a role in strengthening Saudi Arabia's relationships with other countries. He was one of the founders and a major owner of the Saudi-New Zealand Bank. He also invested in real estate, energy, and tourism. He was a pioneer in the solar energy industry and supported Sydney University in Australia to research this field.
Views on World Issues
Prince Nawwaf shared his thoughts on international matters. For example, after the 11 September attacks, he believed that Saudi support for Osama bin Laden was due to anger over the U.S. supporting Israel. He also stated that Iran was being treated unfairly by some countries, which he felt was not good for the Persian Gulf region or even the U.S.
Personal Life and Family
Prince Nawwaf was married to Jawahir Al Sheikh. They had three children: Abdulaziz (born in 1979), Faisal (born in 1984), and Sarah (born in 1989). His daughter Princess Sarah studied international communications in Switzerland. His eldest son, Mohammed bin Nawwaf, served as the Saudi ambassador to the United Kingdom and Ireland for many years.
Health and Passing
In March 2002, Prince Nawwaf suffered a stroke and was admitted to a hospital in Beirut. He had a brain hemorrhage and underwent surgery. After this, he used a wheelchair due to his health problems.
Prince Nawwaf passed away on 29 September 2015, at the age of 83. His funeral was held at the Grand Mosque in Mecca the next day.
Honours and Awards
Foreign Honours
- Honorary Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (S.M.N.) (1970)
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit (15 February 1974)
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