Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The King Abdulaziz Foundation (Darah) has unveiled rare archival photographs documenting a historic tour by King Abdulaziz Al Saud in the outskirts of Basra in 1916.

The photographs, taken by British explorer and photographer Gertrude Bell, show King Abdulaziz Al Saud standing with dignity among his men in the Basra desert, capturing a moment that reflects his foresight and early political and diplomatic presence in the region.

According to Darah, the images date back to a formative period in King Abdulaziz’s efforts to build regional relationships and strengthen channels of communication with neighboring powers, at a time when the Arabian Peninsula was undergoing major political and social transformations.

The Basra visit carries deep historical significance, underscoring the vision of the Kingdom’s founder, who sought stability and regional understanding rather than territorial expansion, and who recognized early on the importance of diplomacy alongside leadership.

The photographs are part of a broader collection by Bell that documents pivotal shifts in the Arabian Peninsula in the early 20th century, providing historians and researchers with valuable visual records of the era and the formative stages of Saudi state-building.