"King Faysal (1906-1975) ruled Saudi Arabia from 1964 until his assassination eleven years later. Within his brief reign, Faysal secured a legacy as one of the most instrumental actors in the development of the modern Middle East. By the time he ascended to the throne, Faysal understood how dependent many nations were on his country's oil, an understanding that led to the oil embargo of 1973. Wisely, Faysal sought to channel the power of religion for the benefit of the public good, in opposition to Islamic fundamentalists, while his policy initiatives - a balanced budget, the expansion and modernization of higher education, strengthening labor laws and social policies ultimately helped stabilize the entire Gulf region and solidified Saudi Arabian leadership, wealth, and power." "King Faysal aspired to a reign guided by an unwavering belief in God, the courage to conquer evil, the patience to persevere regardless of costs or consequences, submission to the will of God against hardships, and due exuberance in response to the burdens of rule. Four decades after his assassination by one of his nephews, Faysal bin Musa'id, his memory lives on in impact of his steady hand on Saudi Arabia's modernization."--
