Mishaal bin Saud

Mishaal bin Saud Al Saud (; born 1940) is a Saudi Arabian retired politician, businessman, and former military officer who served as the governor of the Najran Province from 1996 to 2008. He is a member of the House of Saud, one of the grandsons of Saudi Arabia's founder King Abdulaziz, and son of King Saud.

Early life Prince Mishaal is one of King Saud's children. His mother is Noura bint Nahar Al Mandeel.

Prince Mishaal and his brother Prince Abdul Rahman were the first sons of King Saud who declared their allegiance to King Faisal following the abdication of their father, King Saud, in November 1964. Prince Mishaal announced his allegiance to the new king on 10 November 1964.

Career and official duties Mishaal bin Saud was a military officer. He served at the national guard with the rank of brigade commander. He successfully led a national guard unit that was among the first sent to defend the northern border during the Gulf War in 1991. His military expertise provided him with an opportunity to hold the position in the Najran Province as governor.

Prince Mishaal was one of the members of Al Saud Family Council established by Crown Prince Abdullah in June 2000 to discuss private issues such as business activities of princes and marriages of princess to individuals who were not member of House of Saud. He represented his older brother Muhammed bin Saud in the council. While serving as governor of Najran Province, Mishaal also chaired the Charitable Society for Social Services in Najran.

Governorship Mishaal bin Saud was made governor of the Najran Province in 1996. He replaced Fahd bin Khalid Al Sudairi in the post and became the first governor of the province from Al Saud family. Ismailis told that it was the spur for plans to reduce their presence in the province, but that the settlement policy could provoke more social unrest. On 23 April 2000, three months after the authorities closed down their mosques on the Ismaili day of Eid al Fitr, strained relations between Ismaili Najranis and the governor, Mishaal bin Saud, came to a head over the arrest of an Ismaili cleric.

Saudi Shiites asked the authorities to decline the settlement plans of Sunni Muslim Yemenis in southern Saudi Arabia to change the demographic balance in favor of Sunnis, although they are the majority. The Ismaili Shiites of Najran said they had petitioned King Abdullah in 2006 to halt settlement of up to 10,000 Yemeni tribesmen in housing projects built for them on the surrounding area of Najran city. However, it was commonly believed that he was removed from office for his inability to maintain positive relations with the Ismaili community. Eventually, Mishaal bin Abdullah Al Saud, son of King Abdullah, replaced him as the governor of the province in March 2009.

Personal life

Mishaal bin Saud is son-in-law of Sultan bin Abdulaziz. He has six children, five sons and a daughter.

Prince Faisal bin Mishaal Prince Khalid Princess Lamia who married Prince Ahmed bin Salman in 1986. She has four daughters and a son.