Governor of Riyadh Province Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, who is head of the preparatory committee for the centennial celebrations, has written a foreword for the booklet to be published tomorrow on the occasion of the hundredth anniversary [in the Islamic calendar] of the event that led to the founding of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Referring to the recapture of Riyadh by King Abdul Aziz as the first stage in the Kingdom's establishment, he noted that its roots nevertheless date back to the year 1157 H (1744); in other words, to 262 years ago, and the historic meeting between Imam Muhammad Bin Saud and Sheikh Muhammad Bin Abdulwahab.

Prince Salman went on to say that King Abdul Aziz, realizing its importance, strove to implement Islam in all his endeavors and to realize all goals by carrying out Islamic laws, and defending them, in order to spread security and establish an integrated society with prosperity and stability. He added that the first and the second Saudi states had both been set up on the basis of full commitment to the principles of Islam, remarking that when King Abdul Aziz embarked on his civilizing project, he had before his eyes the methodology of his forefathers, and consequently established a modern and a strong state. The reigns of Saud, Faisal, Khalid, and now the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz, are extensions to this strong methodology.
Prince Salman pointed out that Shawwal 5, 1419 H [January 22, 1999] marks one hundred years since the entry into Riyadh by King Abdul Aziz and the beginning of the process of establishing the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which was the result of the continuous efforts of the noble national struggle that transformed this nation and its sons.
The special centennial booklet contains a report by the Darat [the King Abdul Aziz Foundation], describing the journey made by King Abdul Aziz and his men from Kuwait to recapture Riyadh. It also contains biographies of the Kingdom's founder and of the men who accompanied him in his victorious journey.

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