Abdullah Bin Askar

Abdullah Bin Ali Bin Askar “Al-Sayyid” (1877–1956) was one of the pioneers in the founding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and accompanied the Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud in his campaign to recapture Riyadh in 1902.

Abdullah Bin Ali Bin Askar was born in Riyadh and left the city in 1893 to pursue trade, traveling to his cousins in Kuwait. When he learned of the Founding King Abdulaziz Al Saud’s plan to leave Kuwait and recapture Riyadh, he joined him in 1902.

Abdullah Bin Askar was among the men whom King Abdulaziz placed under the command of his brother, Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman, in an orchard near the Dhahira Gate, located outside the historic walls of Riyadh, as part of a military plan to divide tasks among his men.

He also took part in several campaigns and battles to unify Saudi Arabia, in addition to being entrusted by King Abdulaziz with the responsibility of preparing some of these campaigns.

Abdullah bin Askar was popularly known as “Al-Sayyid” and also bore the title “Al-Sayyid, Keeper of the Weapon.” He retired in 1946 and spent the remainder of his life in Diriyah, in the Riyadh Province, until his death.

Abdullah Bin Askar was among the sixty-three pioneers whom King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud honored in 1999 with a special medal called the “Pioneers Medal,” which was presented to their families on the occasion of the centennial of the founding of Saudi Arabia.

Abdullah Bin Askar passed away in January 1956.