Abdullah Bin Khunayzan

Abdullah Bin Khunayzan (1875–1973) was one of the pioneers in the founding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He accompanied the Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud on his journey to recapture Riyadh in 1902 and was later appointed by King Abdulaziz as the governor of Harimlah Province and then Al-Bara.

Abdullah Bin Ali bin Khunayzan was born in Riyadh. At the age of fifteen, he moved to Al-Ahsa to work, where he met Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal Bin Turki Al Saud and his son, King Abdulaziz, who were on their way to Kuwait. He joined them and served in their entourage, later accompanying King Abdulaziz during his return to recapture the city of Riyadh in 1902.

Abdullah Bin Khunayzan continued to accompany King Abdulaziz, moving with him during his journey from Kuwait to Al-Shuqayb. Upon their arrival, King Abdulaziz divided the men into three groups. Abdullah was among those instructed to stay with the King’s brother, Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman, in an orchard near the Dhahira Gate outside the walls of Riyadh, until they were called to participate in the storming of Al-Masmak Palace.

Abdullah Bin Khunayzan took part in several campaigns and battles that contributed to the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including the Battle of Kanzan, the Battle of Jarab, and the Battle of Al-Raghama. He was later appointed by King Abdulaziz as the governor of Harimlah Province and then Al-Bara.

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