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Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz Al SaudCrown Prince of Saudi Arabia
Country:
 Saudi Arabia |
Content:
Biography of Naif Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Naif Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the Prime Minister of the country. He was born in 1933 in Taif, a major city in the west of the country near Mecca. Naif received his education in a special school created for Saudi princes under the guidance of religious leaders and Quran scholars. He also extensively studied topics such as politics, diplomacy, and security.
Career and Achievements
In 1953, at the age of 20, Naif became the governor of Riyadh. From 1954 to 1970, he served as the Deputy Minister of Interior and in 1970, King Faisal elevated him to the position of Minister of Interior of Saudi Arabia. In March 1975, the assassination of King Faisal made Prince Fahd the Crown Prince, and Naif succeeded Fahd as the Minister of Interior.
In December 1994, under Naif's orders and with the assistance of Prince Turki Al Faisal, the head of Saudi intelligence, hundreds of supporters of Arab terrorists were arrested. In November 2001, he initiated the issuance of personal identification cards to all women in the kingdom, allowing them to be registered under their own names rather than their father's or husband's. In April 2001, he visited Iran as a Saudi envoy.
Despite his achievements, Naif faced criticism after the 9/11 attacks for allegedly not taking sufficient action against Islamic extremism. In July 2003, US Senator Charles Schumer attempted to lobby for Naif's removal from the position of Minister of Interior but was unsuccessful. From 2003 to 2006, Naif led Saudi Arabia's efforts against Al-Qaeda, which had been carrying out a series of attacks on properties, oil infrastructure, and industrial facilities. His successful handling of the terrorist attacks further strengthened his political position.
Personal Life and Controversies
Naif had three wives, divorcing his first wife. In June 2009, he was involved in a scandal with his third wife, Princess Maha bint Mohamed bin Ahmad al Sudairy. The princess made purchases worth millions of euros in France and failed to pay. The Parisian stores had to take legal action against the Saudi fashionista.
Naif Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was considered one of the most conservative politicians in the country. In March 2009, he publicly stated that he saw no necessity for women to participate in elections or be part of the government. Despite his conservative views, Naif was actively involved in charitable activities. Additionally, it is rumored that he suffered from diabetes and osteoporosis.
On October 27, 2011, five days after the death of his brother, Crown Prince Sultan, Naif was appointed as the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the Prime Minister of the kingdom.
Throughout his career, Naif played a significant role in shaping Saudi Arabia's policies and maintaining stability in the country. However, his conservative stance on certain issues and controversies surrounding his personal life have made him a somewhat divisive figure.
