Father King Abdullah Parents Abdullah of Saudi Arabia Mother Aida Fustuq House House of Saud | Religion Islam Education King Saud University Name Adila Abdulla Siblings Mutaib bin Abdullah | |
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Spouse Faisal bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Saud Similar People Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, Khaled bin Abdullah bin Abdul, Mutaib bin Abdullah, Abdulaziz bin Abdullah, Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud | ||
Adila bint Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (Arabic: عادلة بنت عبد الله بن عبد العزيز آل سعود) is a very influential member of the Saudi Royal Family. She is one the kingdom's few princesses who could influence the political development of Saudi Arabia in women-related areas such as education, employment and health.
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Early life and education
Princess Adila was born in Beirut, Lebanon. She is the daughter of late King Abdullah and Aida Fustuq, a Lebanese woman. Her parents divorced later. Prince Abdulaziz is Princess Adila's full brother.
She received a bachelor of arts degree in English literature from King Saud University.
Activities
Adila bint Abdullah is one of the few Saudi princesses with a semi-public role. She acts as the public face of her father, King Abdullah. She is a known advocate of women's right to drive, women’s health awareness and their legal rights. She spoke out against domestic violence and supported women's groups and organizations.
Princess Adila is the patron of many charitable foundations: she is the chair of the National Home Health Care Foundation; the president of the consultative committee of the National Museum; president of the Sanad Children's Cancer Support Society; and the deputy chair of the National Family Safety Program. Princess Adila also supported the business women of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She was also patron of "Saudi Women’s Forum", a women's conference in Jeddah in 2007. She leads the Saudi Society for Preservation of Heritage
Views
Interview with Princess Adila was included in Mona Almunajjed's book entitled Saudi Women Speak: 24 Remarkable Women Tell Their Success Stories, published in 2011 by the Arab Institute for Research and Publishing in Amman and Beirut. She stated: "I am only one part of this whole society and I am presenting my point of view. However, we cannot go back. We need to become more liberal and we need to change."She believes that wearing the niqab is a tradition and the scarf is a better alternative.
Personal life
Princess Adila was married to her cousin Faisal bin Abdullah in her 20s. Faisal bin Abdullah served as the education minister from February 2009 to 22 December 2013. Faisal is the former deputy director of the General Intelligence Directorate (GID).
They have six children, two sons and four daughters. One of their daughters is a graduate of King's College in London.