King Abdulaziz's journeys between Najd and Hejaz

The journeys of King Abdulaziz between Najd and Hejaz Author: Qasim bin Khalaf Al-Ruwais Publisher: Dar Ahwa for Publishing Publication Date: 2022 Number of Pages: 532 The journeys of King Abdulaziz have gained special importance in Saudi history. King Abdulaziz lived for 80 years, spending part of that time on continuous journeys across the Arabian Peninsula. The book includes 34 journeys between Najd and Hejaz, with reasons for their repetition and goals varying according to the different historical periods he lived through, may Allah have mercy on him. Recently published is the book "The Journeys of King Abdulaziz between Najd and Hejaz," containing 34 trips made by the founder using cars during the period (1346-1364 AH / 1928-1945 AD); half of them were from Najd to Hejaz, while the other half were returning from Hejaz to Najd. The book, issued by Dar Ahwa and authored by researcher Qasim bin Khalaf Al-Ruwais, includes rare journeys mostly written by some of the king’s companions, advisors, and officials. Despite their importance linked to the history of the state and the biography of the founding king, they had not been collected and published together before this book, which comes about 70 years after the death of the founding king. While the author traces these journeys, extracts them from sources, and arranges them in their original texts in chronological order from the earliest to the latest, he also enriches the readers’ understanding by providing documented historical introductions to these journeys. These introductions include a summary of significant events and occasions preceding each journey, helping the reader understand the surrounding circumstances and imagine the political, economic, and social conditions of that time, especially since some of these journeys took place before unification. Although the book begins with a "chronology" of events and historical occasions that coincided with the periods of the journeys, its footnotes—amounting to about 900—serve as a field for explanation, clarification, commentary, documentation, linking, and correction. The book also contains six dedicated maps, 23 selected photographs, as well as indexes and glossaries. Enthusiasts hope that this book will be a valuable addition to the library of modern history and the biography of the founder of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz — may Allah have mercy on him.