Who would be a good saudi role model that you would mention to foreigners?

Question

Who would be a good saudi role model that you would mention to foreigners?

Answer 1

Osama bin Laden

isn't he saudi?

No? ....

Okay, then I don't know any

Answer 2

lol Hamadol

Ok.. I will say "Me too"

Answer 3

The greatest Saudi role model of all was Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

Today, Alwaleed would be a good option... as a large shareholder in the biggest bank in the West, CitGroup, they might have heard from him and they would be able to relate to this guy.

Answer 4

lolz...i can think of one person;-p

EDIT: I think the investor has given a great answer;-)

Answer 5

...King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and the late King Fahd bin Abdulaziz....

Answer 6

I am not a Saudi but I have few in mind:

1- Solomon Al-Rajhi: a self made billionaire & a man of values. He didn’t receive a modern high education but he’s very intelligent man, street smart, very generous who helped many poor people around the world & especially in Saudi Arabia. At the same time, he’s a conservative Muslim who was never let the modern life seduced & make him lose his identity or loose his values.

2- Dr. Gazi Al-Qusaiby: an ordinary Saudi citizen, who managed to dash his way through leadership positions that used to be monopolized by the Saudi royal family. He became an ambassador, minister, & he has multiple talents. Kuwaiti people remember him well for his mass communication skills. He did some impressive job to advocate the Kuwaiti case in the media. He’s also a poet & a writer. He had written several books, that are well known among the Arabic bookstores managers.

3- Raja Al-Sani: Author of the best selling Arabic book Riyadh Girls. She brook many taboos & challenged many powerful forces in Saudi Arabia. At the same time, she’s not an extremist left wing who stands against everything her society does.

Answer 7

I would say Prince Al Waleed.  I admire him for what he has accomplished in his business life.  He is a very intelligent man.

Answer 8

me :P

Answer 9

For many many years, we lacked a role model in our lives. You will find people have role models from the Islamis history, the prophet and great leaders and icons who had all traits of justice, fairness and courage.

But, we have many good icons, I will mention some:

- King Abdullah: he is the last role model. Many people admire his moderate thinking, will of change the country and push it to the 21st century and his will to support the normal people so much.

However, what can be accomplished today, is not easy, there are many hurdles and challenges in the local or global pressures.

Before I jump into the next icons, I have to say that the 1973 Oil Embargo is seen as a very cruel thing by the west, and I studied about it in the American economy text books. But, for us, we see it as a great thing in our history and gave a great push for the development of our nation and as a simple way to have the right of expression in a civilized way.

so,

- Ahmad Zaki Yamani: he is the ex- oil minister for many years for Saudi Arabia, and graduated from Harvard school. He became oil minister from 62 to 86 with a peak in his career during the 1973 oil embargo. After his retirement he lectured occassionaly in Harvard.

- King Faisal: yes, the west knows him for the 73 oil embargo. But, he is SO popular for much more.

He was a man of people in all means.

When he became the king in late 60s, Saudi Arabia was at the edge of going bankrupt with a very bad management of finance and money. He had a great control over budget, and directed all investments and spendings towards the people and the infrastructure of people.

He became a man of people in a real way. He put the infrastructure for the development and growth of the country. He mingled between normal people. When he was crown prince, he used to drive his Cadelac, or go with a driver. Many older people met him in person, inlcuding my father, uncles and some old cousins.

He was very intelligent, smart and sharp memories. They said strange stories about him. Like if he met you once, (and you are a normal person) and met you years later, he would remember your face and remind you of that.

He told Kisinger the famous sentence "we came from tents and we don't mind go back to it, rather than losing our pride".

It was known that if a complain from a normal citizen reached him, he will take it personally with the minister or myor, and it must be solved within days if not hours.

All of his sons receive big respect from the people. Educated, well mannered and got sharp opinions. The most known icon is Saudi Al Faisal.

- Ali Al Naimi: the current oil minister. If you read his story, it is great. Before becoming the minister, he was the prisident of the biggest and most important company in the country: ARAMCO. He started in ARAMCO very small, something like a machine operator. He climbed step by step, over the years, and developed himself slowly without having a nepotism, links or power. His power was his will.

As a president of ARAMCO, he used to receive very big respect among all employees. And he was very humble, he would punish the security if they allowed him in the company without checking his identity.

I look into his story and get amazed, how a simple machine operator, developed himself, to be a major speaker in OPEC and impact today's world economy.

- There are few Saudi doctors who had great achievement in the world, in heart surgery or in the attached twins. There are other great Saudis, scientists but really unkown publicly. Unfortunately, we don't have the culture of appreciation of such people. I know recently one person received high award from Noble organization because of his studies in global heating.

Answer 10

I watched a true story that was on the news & it's something like this:  This Arabian-muslim man had a son and his son was murdered by another man's son(the other dad is from a different religion).  Instead of revenging his son's death, he forgave the other boy who killed his son and now both dads are best friends and go to many high schools and talk about violence.  Isn't this awesome or what??

I don't know his name though.

Answer 11

Borat

Answer 12

for me its price al waleed bin talal, a model of a conservative but open minded saudi.a model in accepting change & modernity in a still conservative saudi society. campaining equality between men & women. helping saudis impoverished and people from around the world. if he will be the king of saudi ( which i really doubt) saudi will become an open country, women will be allowed to drive car, wearing abaya will be optional, freedom of religion will be allowed, mutawa's role will be revised,saudi will be much more modern than dubai. by the way hes not a pure saudi though coz his mother was a lebanese.

Answer 13

King Faisal.

Dr Omar Nasif