King Abdallah ben Abdel Aziz has been hospitalized for medical inspection although his health condition was stable. It is no secret that the king's health has regressed during these past years. I assume that many Saudis would be ready to give some of their own health to their king, due to his ever increasing popularity. I cannot but wish him good health and long life. King Abdel Aziz, the founder, does not need my testimony because his days were before mine. The same is applicable to King Saud who admitted girls to education at his time. King Faisal, was the man of solid national statute, his successor King Khalid was much more fortunate, as the price of oil multiplied many folds. It made Saudis taste prosperity. After that came King Fahd, who handled the most perilous situations that erupted in the region, such as the occupation of Iraq and its liberation. Now and since 2005, we have King Abdallah. In 1996, he took charge of the kingdom after poor health befell King Fahd. I can confidently declare that he led his country on the path of advancement. He managed to satisfy new generations without upsetting the conservatives who considered every change to be sinful and deceptive. They were mainly preoccupied by disputes over allowing "women drivers" while the king's policy was to secure women's development and progress on the long run. During his reign, twelve new universities were founded, most of which were specialized in science and technology and coupled with hospitals. Many other universities were expanded and developed. He also concentrated on female education and allowed women membership in Al Shura Council. Higher education was made available for all. Around 15 thousand young Saudis studied abroad as per agreements between Saudi and Western universities. King Abdallah also managed to raise Saudi labor force to work on new roads and infrastructure development projects. New projects are also underway for a fast train joining Jeddah, Taif, Makah, and Medina as well as plans to build underground tunnels in big cities. Saudis and Muslims all over the world will never forget the King's graceful and generous role in expanding the Two Holy Mosques. Because of my friendship with Prince Abdallah and his father for more than three decades, I can assume that I am knowledgeable enough to write. He was very gracious to me; I have met with him on several occasions and posted important news on his behalf, some of which were witnessed by Sheikh Abdel Aziz Al Twigrey, his deputy at the National Guard and friend. He was the one who arranged my first press interview after he became king. I can also assume that I'm writing with professional skill while remaining objective. There is nothing between King Abdallah and myself but mutual admiration. He has told me that I would be his fifty percent partner should he win one million Saudi Rials in the TV the show "Who will become a millionaire". I had written about it at the time as a joke. Memories are still alive of King Abdallah the First, his Prince Sultan Ben Abdel Aziz (man of charity, God rest his soul), Prince Nayef Ben Abdel Aziz my dear friend (God rest his soul) and now of Prince Salman Ben Abdel Aziz. Our relation dates back to the time he was visiting Lebanon and meeting with the founder of "Al Hayat" newspaper, Kamel Marwa, in his office. I vividly remember all this. I read in western media and Arabic sites about the "Crisis" after King Abdallah's reign. What crisis are they talking about? Saudi politics have basically remained unchanged from one king to the other; the only difference could have been in the method. Methods varied according to the personality of each king and their character which was reflected in a different style of dealings with the people and their issues. I pray for the health and long life of King Abdallah again. He is loved by his people and we share the feeling. I was hoping that King Abdallah could have a longer reign in good health, in which case his miraculous achievements could have multiplied. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was in good hands before King Abdallah Ben Abdel Aziz, it will remain so in the future. There is a greater Arab dimension to Saudi politics, the first conference for donor countries will be held next March in Sharm El Sheikh after being postponed end of 2014. The conference "Egypt and the Future" will also be held under the auspices of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and UAE. The conference will be hosting a number of Arab and foreign investors, and I can already predict its success.
