Arab Muslim army general Khalid ibn al-Walid had a prominent role in the the Ridda Wars against Arab rebels and in the campaigns in Sasanian Iraq and Byzantine Syria. He was a major figure in the Islamic expansion under the Prophet Muhammad and his successors, Abu Bakr and Umar.
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has been reigning as the King of Saudi Arabia since 23 January 2015. An important political figure, Salman also served as the Minister of Defense from 5 November 2011 to 23 January 2015. Salman also served as the Governor of Riyadh Province on two occasions; from 1956 to 1960 and again from 1963 to 2011.
Muhammad bin Nayef Al Saud is Saudi Arabia's former crown prince. The grandson of King Abdulaziz, the founder and first king of Saudi Arabia, Muhammad bin Nayef served as the first deputy prime minister of Saudi Arabia. On 6 March 2020, Muhammad bin Nayef was arrested and charged with treason. His well-being and whereabouts are currently unknown.
Abu Sufyan ibn Harb was a prominent financier and merchant from the Quraysh tribe of Mecca. His son Mu'awiya I was founder and first caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate. Abu was one of the main leaders of Mecca who opposed the Islamic prophet Muhammad, a distant Qurayshite kinsman and later Abu’s son-in-law, until Muhammad entered and captured Mecca in 630.
Ali ibn Abi Talib was the son-in-law and a cousin of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He played a key role in establishing the Muslim community by participating in almost all the battles that the nascent community fought. He ruled as the fourth caliph and is revered by Shia Muslims even today.
Khalid A. Al-Falih is the incumbent Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia holding office of the newly created ministry since February 2020. He earlier served as Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources; Minister of Health; and as Chairman of the board of Saudi Aramco. He is one of the founding members of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.
One of the most efficient governors of the Umayyad caliphate, Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf was initially a schoolteacher and later reigned as the governor of Iraq. He introduced a new coinage system, maintained a good irrigation system, and prevented the migration of the rural population to the towns.
Sultan bin Abdulaziz was the 15th son of Saudi king Abdulaziz. He began his political career as the governor of the Riyadh province and then took over as the minister of defense and aviation. He then reigned as the deputy prime minister and the crown prince of Saudi Arabia.
Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was a Saudi Arabian diplomat and statesman. He is best remembered for his service as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 13 October 1975 to 29 April 2015. His reign as the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia for almost four decades makes him the longest-serving Minister of Foreign Affairs in world history.
Prominent Saudi spy chief Bandar bin Sultan, who headed Saudi intelligence, has also served as the Secretary General of the National Security Council. He has been a Saudi ambassador to the US and a special envoy to King Abdullah and has worked for better relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Khalid bin Faisal Al Saud is a Saudi Arabian artist, poet, and politician. The current governor of Makkah Province, Khalid also served as the governor of Asir Region from 1971 to 2007. An important political figure, Khalid bin Faisal Al Saud also served as the Minister of Education from 22 December 2013 to 29 January 2015.
Saudi-born Mujahid Emir Ibn al-Khattab initially wished to study in the US but later became the face of the First and Second Chechen Wars. His original identity was unknown till his death in 2002. He died after exposure to a poisoned letter sent by Russian agencies.
The sixth caliph of the Umayyad caliphate, Al-Walid I constructed some of the most iconic mosques of his era. Apart from building mosques in Medina and Jerusalem, he built the Great Mosque in place of the basilica of St. John the Baptist in Damascus. He also expanded the influence of Islam.
Ahmed Zaki Yamani was a Saudi Arabian politician. He is best remembered for his service as the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources from 9 March 1962 to 5 October 1986. Ahmed Zaki Yamani is credited with founding a market analysis group called the Centre for Global Energy Studies in 1990.
Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was inducted as the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and First Deputy Prime Minister on October 27, 2011, by King Abdullah following death of Crown Prince Sultan. Prince Nayef was also noted for serving as the Minister of Interior for over three decades from October 11, 1975 until his death on June 16, 2012.
Abdallah ibn Sa'd was an Arab commander and administrator. He is remembered for his service as the Governor of Egypt from 646 to 656. Abdallah focused on building a strong Arab navy. While serving as the Governor of Egypt, Abdallah ibn Sa'd led the Muslim navy to numerous victories including its triumph at the Battle of the Masts in 654.
Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is a Saudi Arabian politician who served as the Minister of Interior from June to November 2012. He is perhaps best known for his service as the Deputy Minister of Interior from 1975 to 2012. Ahmed bin Abdulaziz is also known for his humanitarian activities; he served as the president of Saudi Alzheimer's Charitable Society.
Saud bin Abdul Muhsin Al Saud is a Saudi diplomat and former politician. He served as the Governor of Hail Province from 1999 to 2017. He is currently serving as Saudi ambassador to Portugal. In 2008, Saud bin Abdul Muhsin Al Saud was the subject of a documentary film titled Inside the Saudi Kingdom.
Al-Muhallab ibn Abi Sufra was an Arab general who served the Umayyad caliphate. He was involved in campaigns in India and Samarkand. He later left the Umayyads and supported the anti-caliph Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr. In his later years, he served as the governor of Khurasan.
David Reubeni was a Jewish political activist, mystic, and adventurer who claimed to be an Arabian prince. He is known for his adventurous journeys with Portuguese Jewish mystic Solomon Molcho. In their bid to persuade Charles V to help the Jews fight the Turks, they faced imprisonment and were eventually executed.