Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz returned home on Wednesday 23 February, 2011, after a three month period abroad for medical treatment. His treatment started in New York-Presbyterian Hospital in the USA, followed by a recovery period in Morocco.
King Abdullah as he appeared on Saudi TV upon his arrival (by @waa3ad)
Saudis have been expecting serious political and economic reforms, and coinciding with the King stepping out of the plane, new changes were indeed announced. However, they were met with disappointment, as most were minor and did not affect a large number of the population.
It's Just Not Enough!
Below are some reactions from disappointed Saudi citizens:
يا ترى هل يحتفل الآن بعودته من كان لديه أب أو أخ أو قريب مسجون من غير تهمة ولا محاكمة ؟! ، #saudimataleb الفرح جيد ، ولكن العدل مطلوب أيضا
نتمنى أن تكون الأوامر الملكية المعلنة اليوم مجرد أوامر قديمة متراكمة تنتظر عودة الملك. وأن هناك إصلاحات حقيقية ستعلن قريبا #saudimataleb
أتمنى ممن أراد أن يهنئ الملك بسلامته بإعلان في جريدة -لن يراه الملك- أن يتصدق عنه بكفالة أسر فقيرة بذات القيمة فهي أنفع #saudi #saudimataleb
#saudimataleb وبمناسبة عودة الملك والمكرمات الملكية ثم البيانات المطلبية أطاب د.عائض القرني بصرف كتاب لا تحزن مجانا لكل مواطن سعودي
Regardless… We're Happy He's Back!
On the other hand, many Saudis were happy that the king is back. To mark the occasion the streets of capital Riyadh were decorated with banners and flags, wishing the king good health and welcoming him back. Moreover, many Saudis went to the airport to cheer and welcome him back in person.
Celebrations went on all over Riyadh and in the sky army jets performed for the crowd. Television presenters wore special scarves in the colours of the Saudi flag in a special coverage programme entitled “The Joy of a Nation” to mark the king's return. Below are some reactions of the Saudis on Twitter:
@BeeTaz
#kingabdullah #saudiarabia aaalffff 7amdellah 3al salama ♡ http://plixi.com/p/79417396
Welcome back!
@waa3ad
ADORE Him :”( #KINGABDULLAH http://yfrog.com/hsofncyj
@SaudiiAmerican
7mdelilah 3slaama ya #KingAbdullah, and thank you for everything. N7bk :)Welcome back King Abdullah, and Thank you for everything, we love you!
In this video, oeziiL shares pictures of the king's arrival and celebrations around Riyadh:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c9-BRkkyy0
والله يبو متعب لو غيابك أطول خذنا السعوديه بيدها وجيناك #OnlyinSaudiArabia #KSA #kingabdullah
@Sarah_AlAyed
#KingAbdullah return energized ppl across KSA Bless him looking 4ward 2much awaited developments alf hamdlilah 3ala salamt (thank God for the safety of the) Father of Nation
@NouraAgeel
الشعوب تحرق انفسها لرحيل رئيسها نحن احترقت قلوبنا شوقاً لعودة مليكنا الله يحفظك لنا #kingabdullahNations burn themselves for the demise of their presidents, however we had our hearts burned because you were away for too long. May Allah keep you well.
Here's another clip of King Abdullah's return from YouTube user iJihadTv:
3 comments
I’m curious, were ALL those cars in the second video part of the King’s escort?
No Solana, only the black ones in 0:14, the rest is the people trying to follow the escort