Across the sandstone valleys of AlUla, where ancient inscriptions meet the whispers of palm leaves, even the simplest doorway tells a story. These doors — often overlooked by hurried visitors — are among the most intimate artifacts of the town’s vernacular architecture. Each bāb (باب, door) stands as a threshold between the private and public worlds of old Arabia, preserving the craftsmanship, geometry, and lived traditions of the oasis.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the seventh King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He assumed the throne on January 23, 2015, and is the fifteenth ruler of the Saudi state since 1727. His leadership blends a historian’s regard for origins with a statesman’s drive for transformation—anchored in the Qur’an and Sunnah and carried forward through institutional reform, national strategy, and an unwavering commitment to serve pilgrims, citizens, and the wider Muslim world.

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz : A King for Humanity King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1924–2015), the sixth King of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is remembered as a reformer, a statesman, and a leader of profound humanity. His reign, which lasted from 2005 until his passing in 2015, was marked by transformative reforms in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and governance.

Early Life and Formation King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1906–1975) was born in Riyadh, the third son of King Abdulaziz and Tarfa bint Abdullah bin Abdullatif Al al-Shaikh, a descendant of Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab. His mother died when he was only five months old, and he was raised in the household of his grandfather Abdullah bin Abdullatif, where his grandmother Haya Al Muqbil oversaw his upbringing.

King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1921–2005) was the fifth King of Saudi Arabia, ruling from 1982 until his passing in 2005. His reign of 23 years was one of the longest in Saudi history and transformed the Kingdom into a modern state with global influence. Known as the first monarch to adopt the title Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Fahd combined a devotion to Islam with sweeping modernization, institutional reform, and bold international diplomacy.

King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1913–1982) led Saudi Arabia through a period of extraordinary transformation. His reign, from March 25, 1975, until his death on June 13, 1982, was marked by humility, compassion, and a deep commitment to his people. He presided over one of the most prosperous eras in the Kingdom’s history, combining oil wealth with ambitious development, while remaining grounded in simplicity and faith.

Early Life and Formation King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1906–1975) was born in Riyadh, the third son of King Abdulaziz and Tarfa bint Abdullah bin Abdullatif Al al-Shaikh, a descendant of Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab. His mother died when he was only five months old, and he was raised in the household of his grandfather Abdullah bin Abdullatif, where his grandmother Haya Al Muqbil oversaw his upbringing.

King Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1902–1969) was born in Kuwait in the same year his father recaptured Riyadh, marking the rebirth of the Saudi state. He memorized the Qur’an by the age of eleven and was raised under the guidance of King Abdulaziz and Imam Abdulrahman. From his youth, he was immersed in military and political life, accompanying his father on campaigns and serving as a trusted aide in tribal diplomacy and governance.