Famous Saudi Arabian Leaders

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 1 
Khalid ibn al-Walid
(Arab Muslim General Who Was a Part of the Islamic Expansion under Prophet Muhammad)
Khalid ibn al-Walid
8
Birthdate: 0592 AD
Birthplace: Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Died: 0642 AD

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.

 2 
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
(King and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia)
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
9
Birthdate: December 31, 1935
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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.

 3 
Mohammed bin Salman
(Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia)
Mohammed bin Salman
24
Birthdate: August 31, 1985
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Jeddah
Mohammed bin Salman is the Crown Prince, deputy prime minister, and defense minister of Saudi Arabia. He launched the Vision 2030 program, removed the ban on female drivers, and curtailed the powers of the religious forces. However, he is known as an autocratic ruler and brutally assassinated journalist Jamal Khashoggi. 
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 4 
Abdullah of Saudi Arabia
(Former King of Saudi Arabia)
Abdullah of Saudi Arabia
11
Birthdate: August 1, 1924
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Riyadh, Sultanate of Nejd (now Saudi Arabia)
Died: January 23, 2015
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, or Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, was the king of Saudi Arabia and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques from 2005 to 2015. One of King Abdulaziz’s sons, he also led the Saudi Arabian National Guard. He was once the world’s third-wealthiest head of state.
 5 
Muhammad bin Nayef Al Saud
(Former Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia)
Muhammad bin Nayef Al Saud
7
Birthdate: August 30, 1959
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Jeddah

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.

 6 
Muawiyah I
(Founder of the Umayyad Caliphate)
Muawiyah I
5
Birthdate: 0602 AD
Birthplace: Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Died: 0680 AD
Muawiyah I, founder of the Umayyad dynasty of caliphs, is remembered in history for conquering Egypt and crushing Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law. He reigned over Damascus until his death in 680, following which a tug-of-war over succession led to the Second Muslim Civil War.
 7 
Abu Sufyan ibn Harb
(A Distant Kinsman and Leading Opponent Turned Companion of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam)
Abu Sufyan ibn Harb
3
Birthdate: 0567 AD
Birthplace: Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Died: 0653 AD

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. 

 8 
Ali ibn Abi Talib
(1st Shia Imam (632-661))
Ali ibn Abi Talib
3
Birthdate: 0600 AD
Birthplace: Kaaba, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Died: January 28, 0661

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.

 9 
Khalid A. Al-Falih
(Saudi Arabia Minister of Investment)
Khalid A. Al-Falih
3
Birthdate: 1960 AD
Birthplace: Riyadh

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.

 10 
Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf
(An Efficient Governor of the Umayyad Caliphate)
Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf
3
Birthdate: 0661 AD
Birthplace: Taif, Saudi Arabia
Died: 0714 AD

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.

 11 
Sultan bin Abdulaziz
(Former Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia (2005 - 2011) Who Also Served as the Saudi Defense Minister)
Sultan bin Abdulaziz
3
Birthdate: January 5, 1928
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Died: October 22, 2011

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.

 12 
Saud bin Faisal Al Saud
(Saudi Arabian Diplomat and Former Minister of Foreign Affairs (1975 - 2015))
Saud bin Faisal Al Saud
3
Birthdate: January 2, 1940
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Taif, Saudi Arabia
Died: July 9, 2015

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.

 13 
Bandar bin Sultan
(Retired Saudi Arabian Diplomat and Former President of General Intelligence (2012 - 2014))
Bandar bin Sultan
3
Birthdate: March 2, 1949
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Taif, Saudi Arabia

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.

 14 
Khalid bin Faisal Al Saud
(Saudi Arabian Artist, Poet and Governor of Makkah Region)
Khalid bin Faisal Al Saud
4
Birthdate: February 24, 1940
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Riyadh

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.

 15 
Ibn al-Khattab
(Saudi-Born Mujahid and 1st Emir of the Arab Mujahideen in Chechnya (2000 - 2002))
Ibn al-Khattab
3
Birthdate: April 14, 1969
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Saudi Arabia
Died: March 20, 2002

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.

 16 
Al-Walid I
(The Sixth Caliphate of the Umayyad Caliphate Who Built Some Iconic Mosques)
Al-Walid I
3
Birthdate: 0674 AD
Birthplace: Medina, Saudi Arabia
Died: February 3, 0715

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.

 17 
Ahmed Zaki Yamani
(Saudi Arabian Politician and Former Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (1962 - 1986))
Ahmed Zaki Yamani
3
Birthdate: June 30, 1930
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Mecca

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.

 18 
Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
(Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and First Deputy Prime Minister)
Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
3
Birthdate: 1934 AD
Birthplace: Taif, Saudi Arabia
Died: June 16, 2012

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.

 19 
Abdallah ibn Sa'd
(Arab Commander, Administrator and Former Governor of Egypt (646 - 656))
Abdallah ibn Sa'd
2
Birthplace: Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Died: 0656 AD

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.        

 20 
Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
(Member of House of Saud who Served as Deputy Minister of Interior from 1975 to 2012)
Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
3
Birthdate: September 5, 1942
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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.

 21 
Saud bin Abdul Muhsin Al Saud
(Saudi Politician and Governor of Hail Province from 1999 to 2017)
Saud bin Abdul Muhsin Al Saud
1
Birthdate: 1947 AD
Birthplace: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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.

 22 
Al-Muhallab ibn Abi Sufra
(Arab General Who Served the Umayyad Caliphate and Later Governed Khurasan)
Al-Muhallab ibn Abi Sufra
1
Birthdate: 0632 AD
Birthplace: Dibba
Died: January 31, 0702

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.

 23 
David Reubeni
(Jewish Mystic and Adventurer Who Was Eventually Imprisoned by the Inquisition)
David Reubeni
1
Birthdate: 1490 AD
Birthplace: Khaybar, Saudi Arabia
Died: 1541 AD

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.