King Ahmed Fashir: I pray for my people and for the people of Al-Magrab, Hajr and Azraq
FINS news anchor
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FINS news anchor
King Ahmed Fashir gave a long interview on the anniversary of his five year reign. Following the death of his father, King Nasir Fashir, King Ahmed has taken the reigns of the kingdom continuing the plans of his father but also slowly introducing his own vision for the future of the kingdom. His Majesty was kind enough to talk us about his plans for the future, the region, his faith and his family. We will present today some of the highlights from that interview:
-Your Majesty has continued the projects started by your father and even your grandfather but at the same time Your Majesty has also made his mark on the kingdom. In your opinion what separates your reign from that of your father and grandfather?
-My grandfather created the kingdom, my father consolidated it and made it stand on its feet and Allah willing during my reign we will see the kingdom engage with the wider world. Our world is too small for us to stand in our own corner. What happens in one part of the world affects us all. The first step is to admit that some of what used to work during my father’s reign, blessed be his name, no longer works now. Take for example our armed forces. He made sure most our equipment is domestic so as not depend on others but that is no longer in our interest. We need the best equipment money can buy and the kingdom was the financial strength to do it.
-Your Majesty has often talked about the need for the kingdom to engage more with the nations of Al-Magrab, Hajr, Azraq with whom we share not only a language and the faith but also history. Yet some critics say that it is not in the interest of the kingdom to focus on these nations since they are poor…
-Let me stop you right there. Our bothers of faith in these countries are not poor, they are kept poor. It’s a big difference! Al-Magrab and Hajr are even rich in natural resources and yet the people live in squalor. To those critics I ask “why is it that they are poor?”. If this kingdom is to prosper in the centuries to come then it must help our brothers and sisters from across the sea. And I will tell one more thing to my critics. The people of Al-Magrab, Hajr and Azraq are poor in material wealth but rich beyond compare in spiritual wealth. The people there praise Allah and follow his will better than perhaps some of us in the kingdom.
-Your Majesty has recently announced that your first wife will be serving the kingdom in the capacity of head of foreign affairs. That makes Her Majesty the first woman to serve in the cabinet of the kingdom. Some have argued that the kingdom is embracing foreign values. What does Your Majesty say to such statements?
-I say they need not worry. I am just as committed as my father and the grandfather to see the kingdom honor Allah. My wife Alya is beyond the age where she can bear children, I think she can better serve the family and the kingdom in her new position.
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The kingdom celebrated five years of King Ahmed Fashir’s leadership. May Allah grant him at least another 50 years of reign.
- Speaking of family matters, many in the kingdom are wondering if they will have the honor of seeing their King take on a new wife…
- I will not disappoint them. My father and grandfather both had four wives who blessed them with many children. I plan to follow in their footsteps.
- Your Majesty had been blessed by Allah with two beautiful wives, five sons and three daughters, with wealth worthy of the name Fashir and with a people who deeply love and respect their king. So what does Your Majesty pray for to Allah?
- I pray for Him to keep the kingdom safe, I pray for my people and for the people of Al-Magrab, Hajr and Azraq.
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Hey Majesty Queen Alya will be the new Head of Foreign Affairs for the kingdom.
Until next time, may Allah bless King Ahmed and the kingdom!