An exhibition on the life of King Faisal, the third ruler of Saudi Arabia, entitled, “King Faisal – An Observer and a Martyr” is attracting huge crowds in Dhahran. The exhibition at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) has been organized by the King Faisal Foundation and the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. The month-long exhibition, which was inaugurated by Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of the Eastern Province, last week, is a celebration of the life of King Faisal, his legacy to Saudi society and the world at large, portraying his entire life since early childhood until his assassination in 1975. A large collection of rare photographs of King Faisal at various phases of his life are on display, including photos of his foreign visits with the heads of state of various countries. The exhibition also showcases some of his personal belongings such as the types of swords he used and his Arabic coffee pot and cups. Rare black and white film clips of King Faisal's speeches are also screened in a mini-theater set up in the exhibition center, reminding viewers that King Faisal established the first television station in the Kingdom in 1963, while he was the prime minister. Visitors to the exhibition can be seen taking photos of some of the rare pictures on display especially of King Faisal praying in the Masjid Aqsa in Palestine in 1966, visiting the Iran Museum in 1965 together with King Abdullah and Prince Sultan, and a handwritten letter that King Faisal wrote from Mumbai, India with the letterhead of the Taj Mahal Hotel. The exhibition underlines King Faisal's dedication and devotion in the service of his country and his struggle to uplift Saudi society and enable it to raise its head high and stand proudly as the leading force in the Middle East and the Muslim World. “King Faisal was an exemplary and exceptional ruler and this exhibition gives the younger generation a chance to learn about a great man who helped in the making of this great nation,” a visitor to the exhibition told Saudi Gazette. The King Faisal exhibition has been displayed in Riyadh, Abha, Jeddah, Madina, and Qassim. According to the organizers, this display in the Eastern Province is the last in the Kingdom. There are plans to move the exhibition to Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE and to other countries in the Middle East and then to Europe and the United States in order to increase awareness of the life of King Faisal. School groups visit the exhibition during the morning and in the evening it is open to all including families. The exhibition will close on March 20.
