Iffat Al-Thunayan

Iffat bint Mohammad Al Thunayan ( ʿIffat bint Moḥammad Āl Ṯunayān, or ; 1916 – 17 February 2000) was a Turkish-born education activist and Saudi princess who was the most prominent wife of King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. She is sometimes called Queen Iffat ( Al-Malika ʿIffat) or Princess Iffat ( Al-Emira ʿIffat). She is known for her efforts in the improvement of Saudi education. She was the founder of Taif model school and the first girl's college in Saudi Arabia.

Early life and education Iffat was part of the Al Thunayan cadet branch of the Al Saud. She was born in Istanbul in 1916. He was born in 1843 on the day his father Abdullah bin Thunayan, Emir of Nejd, died. He left Nejd for Istanbul where he married a Circassian-origin Turkish woman, Tazeruh Hanım. Mohammad was killed while fighting in the Balkan War. She went to school wearing shoes stuffed with paper instead of soles. She attended both Ottoman schools and modern schools following the establishment of the Republic of Turkey.

One of Iffat's relatives, Laila Al Thunayan, was married to Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Marriage with Faisal

In 1931, Prince Faisal met Iffat for the first time while she was undertaking a Makkah pilgrimage with her aunt. It follows that he and Iffat went to Jeddah together after this incident. They married in Jeddah in 1932 and lived in Mecca. – five sons and four daughters: Mohammad, Bandar, Saud, Turki, Abdul Rahman, Lolowah, Sarah, Latifa and Haifa. Four of their children learned Turkish at home. Iffat became a fluent Arabic-speaker, but never lost her Turkish accent.

Queen Iffat Queen Iffat was an informal title given to her because of her beloved status in Saudi Arabia.

In 1967, Iffat began making public appearances at state events. She became honorary president of the "Saudi Arabian Renaissance Society" — a woman's society in Riyadh to teach women skills in crafts, and to assist needy families — in the organization's fifth anniversary. Her "Saudi Renaissance Movement" sponsored free clinics and literary classes for women.

Her comprehensive philanthropic activities included social welfare for women. During the 1960s, she established the first two social agencies in Saudi Arabia — Women's Welfare Association in Jeddah and Al Nahdah Women's Welfare Association in Riyadh. These programs are still available today. Many children of the extended royal family, including their own, attended.

In 1967, Iffat launched the Nahdah Al Saudiyyah, an organization that educated illiterate Riyadh women.

In August 1999, Iffat established Effat University adjacent to Dar Al Hanan

Iffat frequented many graduation ceremonies. Her motto was "Educate yourself. Be good mothers. Bring up perfect Saudis. Build your country." Her other motto was "The mother can be a school in herself if you prepare her well".

Personal life Iffat was dark-haired with bright eyes.

In August 1993 Iffat underwent surgery due to bowel ailment at medical center of Duke University.

Death On 17 February 2000, Iffat Al Thunayan died after an unsuccessful operation. She was buried in Riyadh after Friday prayers. In 2014 Joseph A. Kéchichian published a book entitled Iffat Al Thunayan: An Arab Queen.

Ancestry