Famous Saudi Arabian Men

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.

Ibn Khaldun was an Arab scholar, philosopher, social scientist, and historian. He is often credited with founding the modern disciplines of sociology, historiography, economics, and demography. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest philosophers of the medieval period.

Faisal of Saudi Arabia was King of Saudi Arabia from 1964 to 1975. He was the son of King Abdulaziz and his wife, Tarfa. During his father’s reign, he was given numerous responsibilities of political significance. After coming to power, he implemented a series of modern reforms and issued a decree for the total abolition of slavery. 

Prophet Muhammad was an Arab religious, political, and social leader. He is credited with founding the world's second-largest religion, Islam. He is believed to have been sent to preach and confirm the teachings of other prophets, such as Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. He is also believed to have received revelations from God, which form the verses of the Quran.

Fahd of Saudi Arabia, the eighth son of Saudi king Abdulaziz, started his career as a politician and served as the minister of education and the minister of interior of Saudi Arabia. He then reigned as the king and prime minister of Saudi Arabia for more than 2 decades, becoming the longest-reigning Saudi king.

Umar was one of the most influential and powerful Muslim caliphs in history. The father-in-law of Muhammad, the founder of Islam, Umar reigned as the second Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate from 634 to 644. During his reign, the Rashidun Caliphate expanded immensely, ruling the Sasanian Empire and much of the Byzantine Empire. Umar is revered in the Sunni tradition. 

Sultan bin Salman Al Saud is a Saudi prince best known for his service as a fighter pilot in the Royal Saudi Air Force. A payload specialist, Sultan flew aboard one of NASA's Space Shuttle missions. The first Arab and the first Muslim in space, Sultan has been honored with many prestigious awards, including the NASA Space Flight Medal. 

Hassan Jameel is a Saudi businessman and the current Vice Chairman and Deputy President of Abdul Latif Jameel's Saudi Arabia wing. He handles the international conglomerate business' operations, such as machinery, real estate, and automotive in Saudi Arabia. Also a well-known philanthropist, Hassan Jameel works towards assisting job-seekers and promotes safety and health in Saudi Arabia.

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.

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.

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.

Khalid of Saudi Arabia reigned as the king of Saudi Arabia from 1975 until his death in 1982. One of the sons of the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, Khalid represented the country abroad as a diplomat. In 1943, he played a key role in establishing diplomatic relations between the United States of America and Saudi Arabia.

Abu Bakr was a companion and father-in-law of the founder of Islam, Muhammad. After Muhammad's death, Bakr played an important role in leading the Muslims as the first Rashidun Caliph. Under Abu Bakr’s leadership, the Muslim state expanded over the entire Arabian peninsula. Abu Bakr's work during his reign eventually led to the Muslim conquests of the Levant and Persia.

Sulaiman Abdul Aziz Al Rajhi is a Saudi Arabian billionaire and corporate figure. Counted among the country's wealthiest non-royals, the Al Rajhi family has also been among the leading philanthropists in the world. In 2012, Sulaiman Abdul Aziz Al Rajhi was honored with the prestigious King Faisal International Prize for pledging half his fortune to charity.

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.

Omar bin Laden is a Saudi-Arabian author, artist, businessman, and cultural ambassador. Omar, who has been living in France for several years now, achieved popularity when he made contributions to a book titled Growing Up bin Laden. The book, which was published in 2009, recollects his time with his father Osama bin Laden.

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. 

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.

Ibn Saud, or King Abdulaziz, was the founder and first monarch of Saudi Arabia. He oversaw the discovery of petroleum and the subsequent oil production in his country. He annexed the kingdoms of central and northern Arabia and ruled for over 20 years. He sired countless children, including 45 sons.

Abd al-Malik reigned as the fifth Caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate from 12 April 685 until his demise on 9 October 705. Abd al-Malik is often counted among the most celebrated caliphs by historians. Prior to his accession, Abd al-Malik held military and administrative posts under Caliph Mu'awiya I and Caliph Marwan I.

Umar II reigned as the eighth Caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate from 717 to 720 CE. Described as the most devout and pious of the Umayyad rulers, Umar II is credited with making various important contributions to the society. During his rule, the Islamic faith was accepted by large segments of the population of Egypt and Persia.

Ahmed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was a Saudi royal and an important figure in thoroughbred horse racing. Also a media executive, Ahmed bin Salman served as the chairman of a joint stock company named Saudi Research and Marketing Group.

Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi is an Ethiopian-born Saudi billionaire businessman. Counted among the richest men in the world, Al Amoudi is Ethiopia's largest individual foreign investor. Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi is also known for his philanthropic activities. He has funded several projects, including a breast cancer research centre in 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.

Hasan ibn Ali was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam. He was born to Muhammad's daughter Fatimah and Ali. Hasan is often referred to as the second Imam by the Shia Muslims. He was known for his kindness, knowledge, bravery, and tolerance.