Official government website of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
His Excellency the President of Qassim University, Professor Dr. Khalid bin Abdulrahman Al-Hammoudi, extends his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince, Second Deputy Prime Minister, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, the Second Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior – may God protect them – and the Royal Family and the Saudi people on the passing of the father and leader, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. He asks Almighty God to grant him a place in His spacious gardens and reward him with the best for his people and nation.
His Excellency said: The state of sadness that befell everyone upon receiving the news of the death of the leader of the country, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz – may God have mercy on him and grant him a good resting place – was due to the immense wealth of love and loyalty that King Abdullah cultivated during his nearly ten-year reign.
This was evident in the state of grief accompanied by the exchange of condolences and fervent prayers for King Abdullah for mercy and forgiveness, which was a sincere and spontaneous expression of the depth of the relationship that existed and continues to exist between the leadership and the Saudi people. This relationship was based on sincerity, humility, and generosity from King Abdullah, and the people reciprocated with loyalty, love, and faithfulness.
King Abdullah (may God have mercy on him) completed the path of civilizational construction that the Kingdom's leaders had started since its founding. His reign witnessed economic growth, the impact of which was reflected in the development of many service sectors that touch people's lives and interests. He issued historic decisions related to the reform path of government systems and sectors. It is not possible at this juncture to discuss the works and achievements that were accomplished during his luminous reign, but it is sufficient for me to point to the most prominent achievements that represented milestones in the path of Saudi development. Foremost among these are the expansion of the Two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina, the establishment of the General Authority for Anti-Corruption, the development of the judicial facility, the qualitative and quantitative development of university education, King Abdullah's scholarship program abroad, King Abdullah's project for the development of public education, the establishment of economic cities, and other works that will remain a testament to the scale of achievements accomplished during the reign of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, may God have mercy on him.
His Excellency continued, saying: "Perhaps the qualitative leap achieved in the education sector at all its levels and types represents an important feature of the developmental achievement realized during his reign, may God have mercy on him. Educational sectors have received the largest share of the state's general budget in recent years, which confirms the attention King Abdullah gave to the Saudi person as an inexhaustible resource, and as the tool and purpose of development. Higher education has expanded, and the establishment of universities has not been limited to the main cities in the regions of the Kingdom, but rather extended to medium-sized cities and small governorates, until the number of universities in the Kingdom reached 28 universities in a short period, distributed throughout the Kingdom. This quantitative expansion has been accompanied by qualitative development, represented in the establishment of infrastructure, construction, and equipment for new universities according to exemplary specifications that ensure the provision of university education at advanced levels according to the standards followed in higher education. The establishment of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology is a new qualitative addition to the roles required of higher education in the Kingdom, as the university is expected to be one of the most prominent experimental research and study centers in the world. Technical and vocational training programs have also witnessed remarkable expansion, including the establishment of technical colleges for boys and girls. At the same level, general education has witnessed qualitative and quantitative development, including the establishment of exemplary buildings for boys' and girls' schools in all cities, governorates, and villages of the Kingdom.".
The Director of Qassim University indicated that the grief that encompassed the sons of the Kingdom and its supporters over the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, may God have mercy on him, was only alleviated by the announcement of the coronation of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz as King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the appointment of His Royal Highness Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz as Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister, and the appointment of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz as Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. This smooth transition of power reconfirmed that the Kingdom is moving in the right direction, that the bond of solidarity between the people and the leadership is stronger than all circumstances, and that the leadership and people of the Kingdom are moving forward on the path of preserving developmental gains that have produced a modern state occupying a distinguished position on the world map.
In conclusion, His Excellency prayed to God Almighty to encompass the deceased King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz with His vast mercy, to grant him a place in paradise, and to grant us all patience and fortitude in facing this loss. He called upon God to guide and support our leader, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and his Crown Prince, and his Deputy Crown Prince, may God protect them all. Truly, He is the All-Hearing, the Near, the Answerer of Prayers.
The late king lays the cornerstone for university projects
King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Dr. Hammoudi next to him on a previous occasion
