Saudi King Abdulla Dies at the Age of 90; Succeeded by Salman, 79 · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

King Abdulla of Saudi Arabia died today at the age of 90. His photograph appears on all Saudi currency. Photo credit: Amira Al Hussaini
After weeks of speculation, Saudi Arabia today [January 23, 2015] announced the death of King Abdulla bin Abdulaziz, 90, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Abdulla came to power in August 2005, after the death of his half-brother Fahad bin Abdulaziz, and is now succeeded by his other brother Salman bin Abdulaziz, who is 79. And their other brother Muqrin has been named Crown Prince. They are all the sons of King Abdulaziz, who founded Saudi Arabia in 1932, and have been ascending the throne in succession over the years. Abdulaziz had 45 sons of whom 36 survived to adulthood and had children of their own. Egyptian Amro Ali shares this infographic which shows the “ever shrinking old generations of Saudi kings in waiting.”
The ever shrinking old generation of #Saudi kings in waiting. 3 remain. http://t.co/vjLCCf5VE2 pic.twitter.com/A2K0CxTdhf v @markscheffler — Amro Ali (@_amroali) January 23, 2015
Online, citizens of the world were quick to share their two cents. Saudi blogger Ahmed Al Omran notes how the now King Salman's bio on Twitter has changed to reflect his new position:
Twitter bio of @HRHPSalman updated to read: Official account of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman pic.twitter.com/ieqqq1kTUZ — Ahmed Al Omran (@ahmed) January 23, 2015
There was also a confusion about the deceased King and his new successor's ages. From the UAE, Abdulkhaleq Abdulla tweeted:
Just in. 93 years old King Abdulla bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia has died. 82 years old Salman bin Abdulaziz is the new king. — Abdulkhaleq Abdulla (@Abdulkhaleq_UAE) January 22, 2015
And many were not kind to news of Abdulla's dead. This Twitter user shared this meme:
King Abdulla is alive and was spotted riding his horse pic.twitter.com/h3XJAi8jN6 — Zalameh (@BDS4Justice) January 22, 2015
But there were also Saudis sad over their King's demise. This Twitter user writes:
My eyes filled with tears, There are no words can describe how much i loved this man!#وفاة_الملك_عبدالله — ﹌ (@Lmashmranii) January 23, 2015
Another user writes:
He wasn't just a king he was a leader and a father #وفاة_الملك_عبدالله — miss g (@AJustagirl123) January 23, 2015
And the mourning continues:
#RIPKingAbdullahBinAbdulaziz We lost a father We lost a great leader We lost King of Humanity RIP king Abdullah #وفاة_الملك_عبدالله — رمآد ..♡ (@ramad_n_) January 23, 2015
From Egypt, The Rock was quick to jump on the mouners bandwagon, thanking the Saudi monarch for his services to Egypt:
#وفاة_الملك_عبدالله Great king:Thanks for all your efforts to help Egypt. Condolences to the saudi people. pic.twitter.com/M5nLYVWwWd — Etch H (@TheRockH2012) January 23, 2015
Thousands of messages of condolence continue to pour in with prayer for mercy for his soul.