Order of Abdulazziz al Saoed

The Order of Abdulazziz al Saoed is a Saoedi-Arabian Order of merit. The order has been named after Abdoelaziz Al Saoed who founded the Saoedi kingdom and died in 1953.

Geschiedenis

In 1971 the introduction of orders was announced in a decree [No.122 van 24 1-1391 and No.123 of 24 1-1391] . The first of the orders was the Great Chain of Badr. The Saoedi king, Fons honorum of the orders, confirmed the decree in his Royal Decree [No.4 of 25 1-1391] . In 1976 the Order of Abdoel Aziz al Saoed was founded.

The Collar of Abdoelaziz al Saoed

The collar is regarded as a separate order, it is also the highest ranking the Order of Abdulazziz al Saoed, unlike the Great Chain of Badr it is awarded to non-moslim heads of state.

The Order of Abdoelaziz al Saoed

The order is awarded to citizens of Saoedi-Arabia and foreigners for merit. The number of Saoedi confirments is limited and the have to start their career in the order in the lowest class. A member can be promoted every five years [Guy Stair Sainty] .

There are a Special Class, the "Distinghuised First Class" and three other classes corresponding with Grand-Officer, Commander, Officer and Member [Guy Stair Sainty.] . The Saoedi avoid the word "cross" as in "Grand-Cross".

Literature

* Guy Stair Sainty en Rafal Heydel-Mankoo, World Orders of Knighthood and Merit" (ISBN 0971196672), Londen 2006.