Princess Nora is the founder of Saudi Arabia’s sister. She was a year older than him, born in 1875. The photo above is of King Abdulazziz on the right and Prince Saud Al Kabeer (P. Nora’s husband) on the left.
She had great influence on King AbdulAzziz and historians write that she really urged him to leave Kuwait and try to get control of Riyadh. Afterwards she became one of his main advisors and he was famously known to say on several occasions “I’m Nora’s brother”. King Abdulazziz also gave his sister a role in raising his sons; whenever anyone of them did anything wrong as a child he would send them to their aunt for discipline. Dame Violet Dickson on meeting Princess Nora stated that she was one of the most important personalities of the Arabian Gulf and commented on how charismatic she was. John Philby was also impressed by the princess and commented that she was the first lady of her country.
She was known to be quite progressive and outspoken. When the telephone first came into the country many Islamic purists thought it was a tool of the devil but she supported its installation and told the people that it was an amazing device that they will not be able to live without. She was also a poet and had written several poems, the most famous of which is the one she wrote when her husband left her behind for travel. Princess Nora passed away in 1950.
A few weeks ago King Abdullah honored his aunt’s memory by naming the first university in Saudi Arabia for women only Princess Nora bint Abdulrahman University for Women.
This is another photo but it isn’t of Princess Nora but I still imagine it isn’t far off from what she would have dressed like. This is of Fatima Al Zamil who ruled Hail (a province north west of Riyadh) from 1911 to 1914. The photo was taken by Gertrude Bell.
9 Comments
November 7, 2008 at 3:45 pm
thank you so much for the information! it is great to get your perspective and take on the day to day experience.
November 7, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I so appreciate you writing your series about prominent Saudis. And I especially loved this one because she is a woman. It’s nice to know that she is still remembered and it’s a fitting tribute to name the first women’s university here after her. Thanks for the history lesson!
November 18, 2008 at 5:18 am
It is interesting to see, how Saudi women dressed ages ago and how they do dress now. One does wonder… were these women less modest and less religios then the ‘modern’ Saudi women?
November 30, 2008 at 7:45 pm
i also wonder.. where did the female power/voice disappear to..
April 13, 2009 at 9:13 am
I’m very curious to know where Princess Fatima Al Zamil is buried..basically the city she passed away in. Would LOVE to know.
June 16, 2009 at 11:16 am
I sincerely wish that this wonderful lady is still alive……………………only a wish.
July 31, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Dear Sir/ Madam,
Please get the contact No of Prince Nora Bint Abdul Rahaman University, Riyadh.
Regards
Musthak Ahmed
Bangalore (India)
September 23, 2009 at 7:41 am
Thanks a lot ,, very interesting
September 23, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Great article! It is important to record the influence historically of the “women behind the men” or “women behind the scenes”. I am preparing a post on Gertrude Bell so this is extra timely!