Riyadh: In 1902, a young Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud entered Riyadh with only 40 loyal companions. In 1932, he declared the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. His vision gave birth to a nation that today ranks among the richest and one of the most powerful in the world. The roots of the Saudi royal family go back to the 18th century, when the first Saudi state emerged. In 1891, the rival Rashidi tribe seized Riyadh, forcing the Al Saud family into exile. Among them was a 15-year-old Abdulaziz, who grew up in Kuwait under the protection of Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah.

In 1901, at the age of 24, Abdulaziz vowed that he would reclaim Riyadh, no matter what it took. He had no army and no heavy weapons. With 50-60 riders mounted on camels, he began the journey across the desert. Along the way, many

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