Okaz/Saudi Gazette RIYADH — As part of Saudi royal traditions, a portrait of the founder of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz Al-Saud, always looms large just behind where the incumbent King is seated. During the virtual extraordinary G20 summit held in Riyadh on Thursday, a portrait of King Abdulaziz , which was made sometime in the 1930s when the late founder was embarking on an expedition for unification of the country, was chosen for the occasion. It showed the late founder wearing the Saudi head gear "Shmaagh" tied around his face, from head to chin, a style that was identified with the late king. The portrait was one of the paintings drawn from a picture taken of the founder king in 1349H, just three years before the unification of the Kingdom. At that time, King Abdulaziz was holding the title "The King of Hijaz and Najd, and their annexes". The name "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" was given in the year 1351H and King Abdulaziz was declared King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia the same year. Viewers who followed the proceedings of the G-20 summit on Thursday, presided over by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, could discern the extraordinary circumstances, which called for a united global action to combat the coronavirus pandemic. This picture was taken during the winter of 1349H. A portrait, drawn from it, is now hanging on the wall at King Salman's residence in the Saudi capital Riyadh. The portrait was drawn from one of the unofficial pictures of the founder king. The portrait of the founder king getting ready to embark on an expedition to unite the country was doing rounds on Twitter on Thursday, symbolizing the need for the unity. King Abdulaziz had done many expeditions before the one he did to unite the country which had taken him to so many places after conquering Riyadh in 1319H. As the late king worked toward restoring power and unifying the country during that period, today more than ever, the world needs a show of unity in the face of serious global challenges.
