Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah (90) passed away at 1am on Friday. He was ailing with health problems since last few months. His half-brother Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (79), who was named as his successor by him earlier, has become Saudi Arabia’s King now. Country will observe three days mourning for the death of its King.

 

King Abdullah had brought several reforms in the country during his tenure. The womenfolk in the country who were forbidden to have education and to work in the offices, institutions and media have been allowed during his regime. For the first time in the country’s history, he let co-education in the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, which opened in 2009.

 

For the first time in the country’s history, his government grants permission to some female lawyers to work in the courts. For the first time in the country’s history, he allowed women to share some seats in the Shura Council, an unelected body that advises the king and government. He also promised to conduct first ever municipal elections in the country in 2015 and to let the women contest in them. He let two female athletes from the country to participate in the Olympics in 2012. He also appointed country’s first ever deputy minister in his government in year 2009. So, the womenfolk in the country may feel very sorry for his death.

 

He was also a strong partner to US in its fight against Al-Qaeda terrorists. Though, he supports US for its military operations on Iraq to nab its president Saddam Hussein, later he stressed for withdrawal of US army from Iraq.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tweets: In King Abdullah, we have lost an important voice who left a lasting impact on his country. I condole his demise. Our thoughts are with the people of Saudi Arabia, who have lost a guiding force in King Abdullah, during this hour of grief.