By Aljohara Zarea

JEDDAH — “I am Nourah’s brother” — these were words that King Abdulaziz, the founder of Saudi Arabia, used to repeat with pride everywhere, out of love for his sister, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman, who was his trusted associate in all moments of his life.

Women empowerment is not, as some would expect, new to Saudi Arabia. On the contrary, there has been an effective influence played by a strong woman, Princess Nourah, since the founding of the Kingdom.

Despite the new era of development witnessed by Saudi Arabia lately with the entry of women into the labor market and their participation with men in building the country and achieving its prosperity, and although the reputation of Saudi women in the recent past seems blurry and unclear, Princess Nourah had a special impact in the life of her brother, the founding King of Saudi Arabia Abdulaziz.

Princess Nourah was born in the year 1292 AH (1875 AD), and was one year older than King Abdulaziz. She was known to have always helped and supported him since their early childhood and since the exit of Imam Abdulrahman with his family from Riyadh in the wake of the Battle of Al-Mulaida 1308 AH (1897 AD).

The woman, who was known to be carrying the minds of 40 men because of her unique intelligence and wisdom, had a tangible impact on the life of King Abdulaziz, after years of stability in the family of Imam Abdulrahman in Kuwait, through her endeavor and encouragement to her brother to restore Riyadh after he failed the first time.

When King Abdulaziz's mother was crying for fear of her son being harmed, Princess Nourah contributed to strengthening his will to leave Kuwait and restore Riyadh. Princess Nourah encouraged him, saying to him: "Do not lament your luck if the first and second attempts failed. You will win in the third''. She continued: "Look for reasons for your failure, men are not created for comfort." This was what really happened.

Princess Nourah's life was converted from a witness to the tragedy to a witness to building a homeland.

According to what the Saudi historian who is interested in the history of women and their leadership role in the Arabian Peninsula, Dr. Dalal Mukhaled Al-Harbi, wrote on page 146 of her book (Famous Women from Najd) published in 1998 by the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah), thus was the impact of Princess Nourah’s effective words, and her great faith in the strength of her brother, King Abdulaziz, as her words were one of the reasons for his success in conquering Riyadh in 1902 AD, which is the great event that formed the foundation for the establishment of the modern Saudi state.

In an era when educated women were rare, Princess Nourah learned to read and write, and perhaps this is the reason for her early awareness of the events and developments going on around her, in addition to her political interest.

After King Abdulaziz restored Riyadh and he and his family settled there, he relied on Princess Nourah in some matters related to tribal affairs, especially those related to women who had a relationship with tribal sheikhs or important people in society.

Princess Nourah was also supervising the affairs of the family's women, as well as carrying out the duties of the first lady, as she used to receive foreign visitors who came to Riyadh, and allow them to visit and see certain landmarks in the city.

Many important women were flocking to Saudi Arabia, especially during the Hajj season, and it was necessary for them to visit Nourah Palace, which was part of her program to introduce the guests to King Abdulaziz's wives, his daughters and the eldest of the royal family.

Among the people who met with Princess Nourah and witnessed her distinguished personality was the British botanist, Violet Dickson, the wife of Lt. Col. Harold Richard Patrick Dickson, who was the British political agent in Kuwait between 1929 and 1936. She said after meeting with the princess in Riyadh in 1937 that she was one of the most attractive women she had met, and also one of the most important personalities in the Arabian Peninsula.

Princess Nourah had a kind heart, as she was mediating with King Abdulaziz for many of the needy and those who had problems that needed a solution.

Princess Nourah did not forget about the children and their education. Rather, she took great care in developing their abilities, expanding their scientific knowledge, and motivating them to learn. Also, she was keen to encourage girls to learn. Among the incentives that she used to do is that she rewards children who complete the Qur’an.

King Abdulaziz also used to bring with him to Princess Nourah, during his visits to her, some of his sons to greet her. King Salman mentioned that their aunt Nourah used to mediate for them if they made a mistake with their father, the king.

According to Princess Nourah's niece, Princess Seetah, her aunt owned farms in Al-Ahsa, and the crops used to go to the poor who deserved her help. She noted that the farms had many cows and sheep, as well as dates, dairy, and vegetables.

Princess Nourah was married to Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Faisal bin Turki, nicknamed Saud Al-Kabeer, and she gave birth to one son, Prince Mohammad bin Saud Al-Kabeer, in addition to two daughters, Princess Hessa and Princess Al-Jawhara, who was the wife of King Faisal.

Princess Nourah died at the age of 77 in 1369 AH / July 1950 AD, after suffering from a disease that doctors could not diagnose.

The great influence played by Princess Nourah did not only stand in her life but also extended to the modern era. In October 2008, the foundation stone was laid for the first government university dedicated to girls in Saudi Arabia. During the ceremony, then King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz directed the university, which was initially named after him, to be renamed “Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU).”

Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University is one of the success stories in Saudi Arabia in terms of interest in higher education among women.

Appreciation of Princess Noura’s contributions extended to the grandsons of King Abdulaziz. On September 12, 2019 AD, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman directed the restoration of Princess Noura’s palace, known as the Shamsiya Palace, at his own expense, as a memorial for her great role.