King Fahd: Send us your comments

King Fahd of Saudi Arabia has been buried after a funeral in the kingdom's capital, Riyadh.

The king died on Monday at the age of 84 but had been in poor health since suffering a stroke a decade ago.

Crown Prince Abdullah had already taken over much of the responsibility of the kingdom's affairs.

What influence did King Fahd have on the region and what is his legacy?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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Your comments:

SUGGEST A DEBATE This topic was suggested by J McQuillan, London UK King Fahd of Saudi Arabia is dead. What implications does this have for the world? Send us your suggestions for Have Your Say debates

I lived in Saudi for 3 years and witnessed much good from this man. He did a lot for the Muslims and helped the countries scholars to propagate true Islam and reach out to the youth. He did much to rid the country of terrorism and was a very generous man who contributed to many world disasters which were never reported. I pray that God forgives him.
Anthony Davis, Birmingham

Great man, helped a lot of poor countries in Africa. One only hopes that the new leader will also follow in the footsteps of this great man. May Allah have mercy upon his soul and may he grant him the highest above in Jannat (Paradise).
Imtiaz Khansia, North Bergen, USA

Since a long bout of ill-health proceeding his death has meant that his rule is in name only, I hope that the Kingdom will now be able to carry out in full the reforms that are much needed. These crucial reforms were to some degree hindered by conflicting family interests aligned to the King Fahd.
Susan, UAE

Sympathies to the people of Saudi Arabia and the Royal Family. I trust that the late King's successor will continue to build on the Kingdom's development, peace and security for the sake of the people of Saudi Arabia, the region and the world.
John Barber, Melbourne, Australia

King Fahd may well have brought Saudi Arabia many riches and made the country the economic giant it is now in the Middle East, but problems lay ahead. His inability to make serious democratic reforms, and to control the lavish lifestyle that his Royal Family are lucky enough to experience, will leave a bitter taste in mouth for many Saudis! I hope that King Abdullah will be able to make much more far reaching reforms then his predecessor. There is hope for Saudi Arabia!
Jonathan Millins, Midhurst, UK

I am sorry for his family and for Saudi people, but as a Muslim person, I don't agree with every comment here that he was the leader of Muslim people. He didn't represent us and in Turkey we don't support the Sharia law as he did.
Haluk Galip Sakaoglu, Istanbul, Turkey

Obviously his death is sad for his family and many in his country, but it doesn't change the fact he was the unelected head of what remains one of the world's most repressive countries. It is important at these times to keep a sense of perspective.
Nick Bibby, Edinburgh

King Fahd supported Saddam Hussein during the war between Iran and Iraq. I hope his successor King Abdullah tries to compensate.
Amir, Iran

I was really shocked to hear about his death. May his soul rest in peace. He was a great leader, protected and took excellent care of his people and did so much for us Muslims. He will definitely be missed.
Abdul Haleem, Malawi, Blantyre

King Fahd will be greatly missed in the region David Gault, Manama, Bahrain

King Fahd will be greatly missed in the region. His supportive and proactive approach to issues in the Arab world ensured his popularity amongst his people and beyond.
David Gault, Manama, Bahrain

It is always sad to hear of the death of an apparently popular leader. However it should never be forgotten that he and his family are patrons the Wahabi distortion of Islam and all it represents.
Richard, Portugal

A man that literally built the country's education system from the ground up and excelled the country's growth. King Fahd was an asset to the Kingdom and its people. May God rest his soul in peace.
Mansoor Sultan, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

My father had the pleasure of meeting King Fahd in his younger years. He told me that he was the most humble and down to earth person he had ever met. Passionate about his kingdom and the wellbeing of Muslims around the world. He was the greatest peaceful Muslim Patriot that ever lived, his legacy will live on. Allah rest his soul in peace.
Hamzah M Khaled, Nottingham

His efforts for the Muslim community will be remembered by all Muslims Sajjad Ahmad, Nowshera, Pakistan

The death of King Fahd is a great loss for the Muslims of the world. His efforts for the Muslim community will be remembered by all Muslims. We lost, of course, a great leader. May his soul rest in peace.
Sajjad Ahmad, Nowshera, Pakistan

King Fahd was undoubtedly one of the greatest leaders ever produced by the Arab World. His help for brother Islamic countries will be remembered for long. He was known as a generous Arab ruler and his services for the two holy places of Makkah and Madina are unprecedented.
Muhammad Nadeem, Lahore, Pakistan

My whole family is shocked and saddened to hear the news of King Fahd's death. May Allah rest his soul in peace. During my stay in Dhahran, once he visited the University of Petroleum and Minerals and I had the opportunity of seeing him. He was very compassionate, kind hearted, humble and had an ever smiling face.
Syed Sayeedur Rahman Zaini, Muscat, Oman

It is sad to hear of anyone's death. I do not however feel that King Fahd was as great as all are making out. He bowed down to the US and did not put the interests of the Muslims before the interests of finance. I'm sure there are better leaders to come.
Mohammed Shafiq, London

Saudis will remember him forever for improving their quality of life Liaquat Ali Baig, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

King Fahd's death is a great loss to the entire Arab world. During his rule, KSA made faster strides in economy, education, health and security to its people. Saudis will remember him forever for improving their quality of life. May Allah bless him with a place in heaven.
Liaquat Ali Baig, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

A great king one never forgets, especially Maldivians. He personally helped this poor country of the Maldives in several ways. The building called 'fahd bina' standing at the heart of the capital Male' will keep his memory with us forever. His death is a great loss to the Maldivians and to Muslim Umma as a whole. May his soul rest in peace.
Saif Azhar, Male', Maldives

I am not a Muslim but I strongly regret to hear the death of one of the great respected and honoured personality of the world. King Fahd was a great leader who could bring Saudi Arabia to be at a safe place in the Middle East. He contributed most of his life to peace. I really appreciate him. He helped the Khmer Muslims a lot - his contribution to Cambodia was to prevent Khmer Muslims here from becoming the hostages of terrorists.
Suthavaridh Lem, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

I find it rather disturbing that the comments thus far have chosen to ignore simple facts about King Fahd's rule, such as his sponsorship of men like Idi Amin, Colonel Gadaffi and Yasser Arafat and his utter refusal to allow ideas of democracy to take root amongst his people. He was a despot, ruling solely according to his family's interests. While I wish him a peaceful onward journey, I hope that the future will bring massive change to the regime he left behind.
Simon, London, UK

His generosity knew no bounds Mohamad-Talal, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

His generosity knew no bounds. He always gave to the helpless to other countries, he prospered the people of his own country, and helped the people of Lebanon being a close personal friend to the late Rafik Hariri. May God rest their souls.
Mohamad-Talal, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

A man of power, an Arab leader, his legacy is prosperity for some of his people - should have been to all of his people. Like all Arab leaders he failed to use his power for the good of the Muslim world, now he is accountable to Allah. I cannot comment on him as a person, but as a Muslim leader his legacy was poor.
Ahamad, Swindon

I'm not Saudi, but I grew up there and I have very fond memories of my childhood there. Safe, secure, and family oriented place, I miss that warmth. Whilst to some it may seem the regime has been oppressive, I know not of any country that does more for its citizens than Saudi. King Fahd was a great leader and may Allah rest his soul in peace. My heart felt condolences.
Aisha, London

A very sad day. But can his passing become a catalyst to move Saudi Arabia towards a modern democracy?
Neil, London

We all mourn the death of King Fahd. Regardless of the all the controversies surrounding his reign, he still was the custodian of the two holy mosques and what he did for them will never be forgotten.
Umer Shakil, Karachi, Pakistan

I've lived in Riyadh all my childhood and he was my king K Tahir, Pakistan

King Fahd was a great man and a greater Ruler. Although his health was declining for a long time but his death has come as a terrible shock. I've lived in Riyadh all my childhood and he was my king. He was well loved and respected by not only the Saudis but other expatriates. I feel like I have lost a grandfather because I grew up looking up to him and have had a wonderful time in Saudi Arabia. He was the only king i knew. My Allah bless his soul. Amen.
K Tahir, Pakistan

I see no implications for the world after the death of King Fahd of Saudi Arabia. For a good many years, the late King's half-brother has effectively been running the country, because of King Fahd's degenerating health. His half-brother's role is official now the King is dead.
Colin Lawrence, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, UK

I would like to send my deepest condolences to the monarchy, kingdom and people of Saudi Arabia.
Bilal, Ottawa, Canada

God bless King Fahd and his family. Big loss to Muslim brothers and sisters in the world. May Allah rest his soul in peace.
Syed Ahmed, Dubai

Our wishes are for a lasting peace and tranquillity for their homeland and for ours George M Suggs, Jr, Naples, Florida, USA

Although we have our differences, we feel sorrow for the Saudis having lost a great leader. Our wishes are for a lasting peace and tranquillity for their homeland and for ours.
George M Suggs, Jr, Naples, Florida, USA

It's a sad news, though he was ill for quite some time but was leader and transformed Saudi Arabia into a real force will be remembered for long period.
Mirza Humayun Baig, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Even though I am an expatriate worker I felt deeply sad for the loss of a great leader and the leader who guided Saudi Arabia to success. He is well loved by the people.
Fahad Martin, Jeddah, KSA

Like any leader, King Fahd had his flaws and shortcomings. While his legacy will be mixed, at this point I can only express my sadness at his death. Despite the excesses of the Saudi royal family and the lack of reform during his reign, King Fahd can be credited with the massive economic development of Saudi Arabia, and keeping the country and the region more or less stable in an increasingly turbulent period. A ceremonial head of the Arab and Islamic world. May God ease his journey.
Ali Ahmed, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

We have lost the leader of our country. It is so sad to hear that. He was great King, we will always remember him in our hearts.
Marwan Bukhary, London

A visionary for the Middle East, for the West, for peace and for all Arabs. A truly great man.
Simon, UK

A sad but not unexpected loss of a just man and stabilising influence in the area. Expect turbulent times ahead.
Roger, London

It's very sad that our beloved King Fahd passed away. It was a great loss to all Muslims in the world. May almighty rest his soul in peace.
Mansoor Khan, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

In the period of his rule I have seen the Kingdom growing Abdul Basit Afzal, Riyadh

The death of his highness brings so much grief to my heart. May Allah bless him and his soul rest in peace. In the period of his rule I have seen the Kingdom growing, a lot of development and business came to Saudi Arabia. I will always remember him in my prayers.
Abdul Basit Afzal, Riyadh

No doubt a great leader who has served the Islamic Ummah and his nation. May Allah rest him in Heaven.
Saleem, Male', Maldives

May Allah have mercy on his soul. It has been predicted that after his death there will be great strife in the Kingdom. A bloody power struggle from which will emerge a good leader and a good king. I hope that is so. We Muslims sorely need good leadership.
Bak Tanus, USA

True servant of Holy mosques of Mecca and Medina. May Allah forgive his sins.
Mohamed Buhari bin Abdul Jabbar, India

He loved Lebanon and the Lebanese as well and always supported them. It's really a great loss for us but his soul and spirit will always be with us.
Mazen Ibrahim, Beirut/Jeddah

We have lost a great human who allowed millions of poor people from across the world to work in Saudi Arabia. Especially Keralites from South India are grateful to him for his kind support.
Sandeep, Kerala, India

He is the Father of all Saudis Firdaus, Singapore

His role in establishing peace in the Middle East is greatly appreciated. He is the Father of all Saudis and may Allah place him in paradise.
Firdaus, Singapore

He was obviously a man of character, intellect and humour, as evidenced by everyone. In the hearts of all who knew him, his memory lives. I pray to Allah to rest his soul in peace.
Ali Balajam, Riffa, Bahrain

An experienced politician and excellent leader, we will miss him. Nonetheless we need democracy.
Abdullah Al-Ajmi, Qassim, Saudi Arabia

Great administrator, major influencing man in gulf political affairs who always worked for the betterment of the region. May Allah rest his soul in peace and enter him in Jannah.
Abdul Waris, Hyderabad/Kuwait

With the death of the person who was first to entitle himself as the 'Servant of two Harams', Islam has lost a devotee, Muslims world have lost a guardian, Saudi Arabia have lost the pioneer of their modernization, World has lost a leader, West and Europeans have lost a friend, Muslims and Arab countries have lost their mentor. He was more than a king. May his soul rest in peace.
Roshan Ali, Jeddah, KSA

He was an outstanding person who has changed and reformed Saudi Arabia Aciel Nakipbekova, Moscow, Russia

It is a very sad day for Muslims and people worldwide. He was an outstanding person who has changed and reformed Saudi Arabia as it is today. May his soul rest in peace, amen.
Aciel Nakipbekova, Moscow, Russia

Such a man there rarely was. King Fahd developed the kingdom to what it is today. My first visit to Saudi was as a student in 1982 and have lived in Saudi since 1985. I have yet to see a transformation in any country of such size in such a short time from an tribal culture to a cosmopolitan city.
Lubna Karim, Jeddah

May God bless his soul and may his soul rest in peace, and may the people of Saudi bear with the loss
Lawrence Rodrigues, Mumbai India

It was a shocking news for the whole world. We've lost a great leader who served for the service of mankind and his services rendered will not be forgotten. From the bottom of my heart I pray that his soul will rest in peace and Allah grant him Paradise.
Mohammed Arshad Ayub, Dammam, Saudi Arabia

So much of the educational and technological improvements of the kingdom owe so much to him Sanjay Ziddi, Irving, USA

As someone born and raised in Saudi Arabia entirely during the reign of the king, I'm finding it hard to come to terms with this death. I remember the Saudi Arabia of my childhood and the Saudi Arabia of today is so different; so much of the educational and technological improvements of the kingdom owe so much to him. It was his patronage that made Saudi Arabia the great power it is today. He will be sorely missed.
Sanjay Ziddi, Irving, USA

King Fahd will be known as a great King of his time, who gave Saudi Arabia all the development and success.
Ahmed Javed, Jeddah - Saudi Arabia

We lost a great balanced leader, he is great human kind person. Let us pray for his soul to be peace.
Mani Sivaraman, India / Saudi Arabia.

It is saddening to see anyone die, especially when so many people look to him as a role model in the Muslim world. I hope that his death will be seen as a milestone in the development of life out here. I suspect that the world will now see some significant changes pushed forwards over coming years as he was a very "moderating" influence on the regime
Chris R, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

He was a really great leader and gave a new look to Saudi Arabia. It's a very big loss for Saudi Arabia and the world also has lost a great leader.
Anamul Haque Siddiqui, Riyadh, KSA

King Fahd was a great man and was a friend of the UAE. I'm glad his suffering has ended and may his soul rest in peace.
John, Dubai, UAE

He was a pioneer in the region U Siddique, Dubai, UAE

He was a pioneer in the region, transforming and modernizing the Kingdom ahead of its neighbours. This is a great loss.
U Siddique, Dubai, UAE

The death of King Fahd is big loss to the world and Islamic World in particular. He was great leader, may Allah the Almighty rest his soul in peace.
Muneer Qureshi, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

You know I never really thought much of the man, neither good or bad. But my heart and prayers do go out to his family, for everyone knows what it is like to lose a loved one.
Sarah Wright, Woodland, California, USA

In his day he took his country through good times. The big question is what will his successor do?
S M Hassan, Austin

The people of Saudi Arabia has lost a great king and great leader, God bless his soul. The country will continue the path of progress regardless of the terrorists cowardly attacks.
A, Jalil Al-Mashama, Saihat-Saudi Arabia

It is a huge loss to the Muslim World as well as to all mankind. He was a blessing from God to the world and nobody can ever replace him.
Hasan, Saudi Arabia

A great leader for his people, may Allah's blessings be on him and his family.
Dan Cavin, Tulsa, OK, USA

We have lost a great leader and person. May Allah bless him.
Syed Attaur Rahman, Dammam, Saudi Arabia

He led Saudi Arabia to prosperity Usman Irumpuzhi, Saudi Arabia

King Fahd's death is a great lose to the Muslim world. He led Saudi Arabia to prosperity. Due to his peace-loving nature Saudi Arabia became a better place to live with safety and security. A lot of expatriates found livelihood in this country and became part of the society. He never created any trouble with other countries during his tenure. May Allah rest his soul in heaven.
Usman Irumpuzhi, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Here in Uganda, Fahd helped very many Muslims and non-Muslims. He helped build a King Fahd plaza right in the centre of Kampala, the capital of Uganda.
Hussein Ahmed Marsha, Kampala, Uganda

A well respected man of the mid-east and what should be a model for surrounding countries. A fair and balanced ruler, he will be missed and his successor hopefully has the same traits with forethought before entering into any situation and to what's beneficial for all involved. King Fahd is dead, long live the king.
Michael, USA

Despite his bad health over the last few years this is a shock for many. It's the first time the younger generation get to see a new King and now people wait to see how the handover will be.
Abdullah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

I was really shocked to hear about his death. May his soul rest in peace. Amen. He was a great leader, protected and took excellent care of his people and did so much for us Muslims. He will definitely be missed.
Aliya Saqib, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

King Fahd, indeed, steered his country through difficult times since the start of nineties. The social change has gained a momentum which will invariably roll on onwards. Ongoing political and economic changes, introduced by him, will certainly benefit the Saudi nation and society - indeed every nation will assimilate changes at its own speed determined by its various features.
Muhammad Farooq, Dubai, UAE

Saudi Arabia and the entire Muslim world has lost a great personality Moidin Kunhi, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia and the entire Muslim world has lost a great personality. Surely he will remain in the hearts of every one. My profound condolences. May his soul rest in peace.
Moidin Kunhi, Saudi Arabia

We are all to return to our Lord (Allah). May all of us live in dignity and harmony under the new ruler - Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.
Abid Latif, Lahore, Pakistan

A major loss for the world and for Saudi/Muslim people around the world. May God rest his soul in peace.
Adel Nizami, Los Angeles, CA

God Bless King Fahd and his family. I wonder what will his death mean to international relations with the Bush administration and the Western world.
Christina, Newark, NJ, USA

King Fahd was a great visionary who served his people. I have lived in the kingdom for more than 15 years and king Fahd has done his utmost to serve his people and the kingdom is prosperous under his rule.
Sudeep C Thomas, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Deeply regret the demise of King Fahd. He was a great ruler who led Saudi Arabia's development to today's stage. He was a man of calibre and ideas and his achievements for the kingdom are remarkable.
Pradeep, Dubai, UAE

My condolences go to the Saudi Family and all the Saudis. He was a great leader. I remember I saw him once when I went to Saudi to do the pilgrims of Hajj. He was very nice and friendly.
Ahmed Khodeir, Cairo, Egypt

He was a role model for most of Arab leaders Seyed, London

He was a symbol of an old modern Arab man. He did great and he was a role model for most of Arab leaders although they do not want to admit it. He built a modern Arab estate which you could not imagine before him. God bless him.
Seyed, London

In the near term, King Fahd's death may ostensibly cement the status quo. Crown Prince Abdullah has been the de facto king since 1995; King Fahd's death will thus change little. In the long term, however, it remains to be seen whether the Saudi people will continue to tolerate the repressive regime as it stands today.
Rene C Moya, Los Angeles, USA

I was born during his reign. While we've had the Gulf War, life has otherwise been peaceful. It will be very painful to bear the news of a King passing away that you've known your whole life.
Amin Patel, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

We are all sorry for is death. May Allah Almighty be merciful on his soul. He has been a good leader in his years of rule. The nation mourns.
Usama Mirza, Jubail, Saudi Arabia

We have lost the leader of Moslem people.
Mohamed Nagi Hassan, Egypt, Cairo

One of the last stabilising influences in the region has gone. Even if he were little involved in the running of the country he was defiantly the only thing holding the country back from revolution. Watch out.
Andrew Shaw, London

It is indeed sad to hear the news of the demise of King Fahd. He was a great administrator and made the vision of his predecessors come true.
Mohamed Hasan Mohiuddin, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Great Man. May his soul rest in peace.
Farooq, Kuwait/Pakistan

A great loss of Muslim Uma. His services and affections shall not be forgotten. He was father of KSA and legend of Muslim Uma. May Allah shower His mercy on him and lead him to peace.
Syed Mohsin Ali , Riyadh, KSA

Led the great leap of infrastructure development in the area from 1982 to 1993. A great loss for the Arab world.
Mohammed Al-Sada, Manama, Bahrain