‘Pearls of Love’ sheds light on late Crown Prince Sultan’s life

An Arabic book “La’ali Min-Alhubb” (Pearls of Love) on the late Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, has been compiled by the editorial department of Al-Jazirah Corporation for Press, Printing and Publishing. Crown Prince Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior, writes the preface to the book on the late crown prince’s biography. Printed on glossy paper in large format, the 733-page publication is a pictorial record of Prince Sultan’s achievements, his landmark trips and rare pictures of the humanitarian prince. Divided into 12 sections and 51 chapters, “Pearls of Love” is the third in the series on Saudi royals published by Al-Jazirah, starting from King Fahd (“The Beloved of the People”) followed by King Abdullah (The King Who We Love). The project, which was produced by a dedicated team of writers who worked for three years before his death, is one of Al-Jazirah’s series of golden books. In the inside cover of the book, Prince Sultan wrote: “The thing I would like to emphasize is that I do not refuse a request on telephone or in writing from any man or woman with or without middleman because I consider myself a servant of this nation, under the guidance, care and passion of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.” In his introduction, Crown Prince Naif observes: “It is not surprising that Al-Jazirah would choose Prince Sultan to be the third personality of Al-Jazirah’s series of golden books, because Prince Sultan had witnessed several eras and was a participant in the renaissance that happened during the time of King Abdul Aziz and the successive administrations of his brother kings for the entire 60 years.” Crown Prince Naif adds that Prince Sultan’s life history followed the same path as that of his brothers, Fahd and Abdullah. It was full of struggle and filled with lessons needed by the people of this generation, so that they could learn how we were and where we are now. Underlining the late prince’s qualities of head and heart, Prince Naif cites two of them, among others, which, he believes, are worth mentioning: His loyalty and dedication to the service of his king starting from King Abdul Aziz down to King Abdullah. The second aspect was his generosity and devotion to the cause of his people — big or small, whether it concerned males or females. To him, they were citizens’ problems and, therefore, his concern. Besides, “Prince Sultan was my teacher and professor in every affairs of my life,” Prince Naif adds. On his part, Khaled Almalik, Al-Jazirah’s editor in chief, points out that anyone who reads this book would chart the Kingdom’s progress over the past six decades. It is a chronicle of facts and figures, achievements covering the human and social aspects. It is a ready source of reference on any information on the late prince. He adds that Al-Jazirah would not have compiled this huge book illustrated with documented information had it not known that Prince Sultan had played a seminal role in the Kingdom’s history, including all the momentous events. It is a ‘must read’ publication for all researchers, students and decision makers. “We all love Sultan’s smile, which never faded and his generosity, which never stopped,” the editor in chief said, adding: “We love him for his humanitarian stand and for his participation in social and humanitarian events.” On the other side of the book’s cover, Prince Salman, who is now defense minister, dedicates the book with his heart “filled with feelings of love” for his brother and the late prince. He concludes: “Oh my sir, I am not a poet nor writer, but I have flow of feelings, you loved and you were loved, you have given and you were given, you honored and you have been honored, you have cared for and you have been cared for, therefore, it is not surprising to be loved by your country’s sons. Their hope in you is always big and bigger.”