Mohammed bin Salman | Biography, Education, & Facts

Mohammed bin Salman, commonly known as MBS, is the crown prince of Saudi Arabia. He is the son of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and has been involved in several high profile initiatives since his appointment as Crown Prince in 2017. In this article, we explore the life, education and achievements of Mohammad bin Salman as well as some interesting facts about him.

Early Life and Education

Mohammed bin Salman was born on August 31, 1985 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. His mother, Fahda bint Falah bin Sultan, was a member of the Al-Falih family, an important business and political family in the country.

His father, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, was Governor of Riyadh at the time of his birth and later served as Minister of Defense before assuming the throne in 2015.

Mohammad bin Salman received his primary education in Riyadh before attending King Saud University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws. He also continued his education in the United States, taking several executive courses in management and public administration at Harvard University and several other American universities.

Political Career

Mohammed bin Salman’s political career began in 2009 when he was appointed special adviser to his father, then governor of Riyadh. In this role, he was responsible for a wide range of initiatives, including economic and social development projects.He also served as Secretary General of the Riyadh Competitiveness Council, which aims to improve the city’s competitiveness in various fields.

In 2013, Mohammed bin Salman was appointed Minister of State for Economic Affairs, a position that allowed him to assume a greater role in the country’s economic policy. He initiated several important economic reforms, including the National Transformation Program, aimed at diversifying the country’s economy away from oil dependence.

In 2015, Mohammed bin Salman was appointed Minister of Defense until 2017 when he was named Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. As defence minister, he led a military operation against Houthi rebels in Yemen, which has been criticised for causing a humanitarian crisis in the country.

Vision 2030

Mohammed bin Salman’s most important initiative as crown prince is Vision 2030, a plan to diversify the Saudi economy and reduce the country’s dependence on oil exports. The plan includes several key initiatives, such as the development of new industries, the privatisation of public enterprises and the promotion of tourism.

The plan has been hailed and criticised, with some experts suggesting that the ambitious Vision 2030 targets may not be achieved within the timeframe. However, Mohammed bin Salman remains committed to the plan and has taken several concrete steps to implement its various initiatives.

Personal Life

Mohammed bin Salman is married to Princess Sarah bint Mashhour bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the couple have four children.He is known to be a football enthusiast and the chairman of the country’s General Sports Administration. He is also a philanthropist, donating substantial funds to various charities including the Yemen Crisis Response Program and the Saudi National Movement for the Syrian Brotherhood.

Controversy

Mohammed bin Salman’s political career was not without controversy. Its military campaign in Yemen has been criticised for triggering a humanitarian crisis that has killed or displaced thousands of civilians. He is also accused of being involved in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.

Conclusion

Despite these controversies, Mohammed bin Salman remains a prominent figure in Saudi Arabia and is widely regarded as a dynamic and forward-thinking leader. Its Vision 2030 program has been hailed for its ambitious goals and potential to transform the Saudi economy, and it has taken several concrete steps to implement its various initiatives. As Crown Prince, he continues to play an important role in shaping the future of the country and the wider region.