At my retirement dinner in December 1986, I told the audience that my wife, Mary, and I were leaving but that our hearts would remain in Saudi Arabia. How true that is even to this day. Our hearts are still there. How could anyone who lived among our Arab friends and the Arab people not feel sadness about leaving?  We were fortunate to have so many Saudi friends and work with so many fine Saudi employees for the over 33 years we lived in Arabia. Those friendships are strong even after 21 years of retirement.

As far as my working for the company, it was time for me to fade into the sunset. I had preached to my fellow-American workmen that we were there to train Saudis. I had two Saudis that were ready to take my place. I told my boss, Ali Al-Naimi, that it was time for me to leave. It was time to practice what I preached. But leaving behind so many Saudi friends, most of whom we would probably never see again, was something to be really sad about.

In my retirement article in The Arabian Sun, I said that I had learned more about life from the Saudis than they learned from me about engineering. That was so true. No one can really understand the people of any country unless they visit their villages, visit their homes, accept their hospitality, drink coffee, and break bread with them. I was fortunate to do that on many occasions.

After 9/11, in response to anti-Arab sentiments peppering the media, I wrote a short article, The Arabs I Know, which, much to my surprise, traveled widely on the Internet, with stops on political Web sites, Counterpunch.org, other news Web sites and some local newspapers. In it, I tried to express through my personal experiences with Saudis and other Arabs some of the traits I had observed and come to admire, traits that endeared them to me and belied the negative mediaspeak that is still with us today. I received over 1,000 e-mails thanking me for the article.

 I can, on this occasion, touch on a few more such examples. I do not want to focus on the continued success of Saudi Aramco, now managed solely by Saudis. That is a fact known internationally and needs no comment from me. What I wish to talk about is the nature of the Saudi people. A misunderstood, often-maligned people whose basic nature shows great respect for family, pride in their heritage, desire to achieve, love of country, and a desire for peace and to be accepted in the world society. Of course there are radical Saudis just as there are radical Americans. The Saudis I want to talk about are the millions of first-class Saudis whose inherent nature is the reason Saudi Aramco is so successful.

Salah, the son of the late Ahmed Al-Zahir, whom I talked about in The Arabs I Know, and I exchange e-mails frequently. Ahmed was a true friend. He was an uneducated carpenter and painter foreman in Refinery Maintenance. What an honor that Salah addresses me as “Uncle Frank”! He sends me photos of his children and Ahmed’s other descendents. Their family is typical of the transformation that has happened in Arabia. Ahmed’s descendants are successful Saudi Aramco employees, doctors and educators. We are one family of Saudis and Americans.

Shortly after I retired, Khalid Al-Falih’s father, Abdul Aziz Al-Falih, sent me a note saying, “Sorry I couldn’t be at the airport to see you off. I read the article in The Arabian Sun and I didn’t have to read it to admire you, as the short, direct relationship we had gave me the same feeling I got from the article. It simply confirmed it.” The point I want to stress is not what the note says, but the fact that Aziz took the time to send it. He sent it because he exemplifies the basic inner goodness and friendship of The Arabs I Know. Not the few radical ones that much of the media would have Americans believe represent how all Arabs behave.

Hamad Daghreer, the son of another great friend of mine, Yahya Quaimsh Al-Daghreer, works for Saudi Aramco. Hamad and I exchange e-mails. Hamad sent me Yahya’s photo recently. When I first met Yahya, he was supervisor of the Sheet Metal Shop in Ras Tanura. Yahya and I would sit and talk about family, life in America and Najran. My fellow Saudi workmen in Maintenance would ask me “wain bilad?” (Where are you from?). I would answer “ana Najrani” (I am from Najran). We have memorabilia on display in our home that Yahya brought me from Najran. Yahya called me over the holidays from al-Khobar.

Of course, there is my very close friend, Khalid Alturki, who made a special trip to Austin, Texas, when he learned I had been in the hospital. Khalid and I used to sit in my office and talk for hours about anything and everything. Khalid gives me more credit than I deserve for helping get Dhahran Ahliyyah School established.

When Saud and Munira Al-Ashgar visited us for three days in 2006, it was the special event of the year for us. To see these old friends really warmed our hearts. I first met Saud when he was a young engineer in Ras Tanura. I was ecstatic when he later agreed to join me in the Project Management organization. Saud’s success in Aramco speaks for itself – and Munira’s.

My boyhood dream was to work overseas, which led me to major in engineering and study Spanish in college. After I graduated, I served in the Army during the Korean War. I happened to be billeted with several Arab linguists who told me about Aramco. I applied and was accepted. My destiny had been set.

I cannot speak for other retirees, but it is my humble opinion that our tenure in Saudi Arabia and our Saudi friends enriched Mary’s life and mine more than we can ever adequately describe. Working for Aramco and building facilities for this special company was a great experience, one that any engineer might dream about, but I learned it was secondary to my relations with Saudi employees and the Saudi people in general. I wish I had the space to relate more experiences that forged enduring relationships between Saudis and Mary and me.

There is a saying, “Fire warms the body; friendship warms the heart.” Mary’s heart and mine were surely warmed by our years in Saudi Arabia.

(Article by Frank Fugate)

Frank Fugate, senior vice president (retired) and former Aramco board member.
Written for the 75th year commemoration of Saudi Aramco.

DHAHRAN, The King Abdulaziz Center for Knowledge and Culture will strive for the following goals:

•To be a living landmark commemorating the first Saudi Arabian energy discovery.
•To nurture a passion for knowledge and creativity.
•To engender cultural awareness and an appreciation for the arts.
•To preserve company history and inspire national pride.
•To foster multicultural understanding in a globalized world.
•To promote volunteerism and a commitment to civic engagement.

In pursuit of this vision the center will house the following:

Library of the future
A world-class public library and knowledge-creation center will combine digital access to information, connectivity with knowledge centers around the world and an array of books and magazines. The library is designed to foster the exchange of information and perspectives, while instilling a love for lifelong learning.

Through the library, people will be able to explore a wide variety of subjects, including history, culture, the sciences, economics, industry, trade, Islam, art, travel, literature, crafts, horticulture, agriculture, archaeology and music. Using advanced Internet and multimedia technologies, the library will enable local citizens and international scholars to deepen their knowledge, discover new interests and find inspiration for creative endeavors.

The archive will manage, preserve and protect materials of permanent significance related to the company’s history, culture, administration and operations of Saudi Aramco worldwide. It also will provide access to stories and images about the company’s people, accomplishments, innovations, and lessons learned. In addition, it will be an important repository for items related to Kingdom’s history.

Museum of culture
The center’s museum will showcase the history and legacy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to connect the past with the future and fire the imaginations of visitors of all ages.
The museum exhibitions will present a range of offerings and supporting materials, including text, graphics, video and audio to create exhibits that are experienced interactively. “We will do our best to use high standards engaging exhibiting methods and programming. There will be an emphasis on encouraging art appreciation and creativity whether through Islamic or local and international art movements,” said Wafa Al-Zaid, of the museum.

The Great Hall will be the focal point for bringing cultures of the world to Saudi Arabia through exhibitions that stimulate cross-cultural engagement and appreciation. It also will be a place where major community fairs and events will be held.

Children’s Education Center
Visitors to the Children’s Education Center will discover an innovative and creative museum and library designed specifically for children from 2-12 years old. Its purpose will be to spark a love of learning by providing children an enjoyable way to explore objects and multimedia exhibits that will incorporate storytelling, video, audio and self-directed study to encourage interaction and hands-on learning. “This project is the dream of a lifetime. It is an opportunity to genuinely and innovatively enrich our community and particularly engage our children in gaining life-long learning skills,” said Michelle Seaters-Alireza of the children’s learning center.

Exhibit galleries will stimulate intellectual curiosity and creativity. By enabling youth to learn more about other cultures, while developing a real pride in their own, the experiences they have at the center will inspire them and encourage their dreams while building character and citizenship.

The theater
The center will provide experiences — such as educational film screenings, live performances and popular lectures — that expose visitors to Saudi Arabia and other cultures. Events throughout the year will include seminars on topical subjects as well as performances of plays and musicals in the center’s auditorium and outdoor facilities.

Complementing the theater will be a variety of exhibition and event facilities: exhibition halls, an outdoor amphitheater and adaptable spaces that include band and theater rehearsal areas, podcasting and blogging stations, and recording and video studios.

About the architect:

Snohetta AS, Oslo, Norway

Profile: Snohetta is an integrated landscape, interior and architectural practice staffed by professionals across the globe. Their philosophy is that the site and context of any project is unique and provides a strong framework for the design. The design must also accommodate the society in which it resides and incorporate characteristics that extend beyond those provided simply by architecture. They work with their clients to modify a strong initial concept to meet the needs of everyone without compromising quality.
Significant projects:

Bibliotheca Alexandria, Egypt.
Oslo National Opera House, Oslo, Norway.

Concept:
Snohetta undertook to design a landmark building. At first glance, the design is, in essence, a pile of rocks, which represents the substrate upon which Saudi Arabia was founded and from which it has, through the efforts of Saudi Aramco, drawn its prosperity.

The designers developed the broad representation from the stone arches used in generations past. No component can be removed. All are interdependent. The resulting composition is an expression of teamwork.

The design’s keystone is suspended between the tower and one of the rocks, which houses the library. The tower itself is a landmark, rising up into the open air, where it reaches into the future and the world beyond.

Next to the center will be the Saudi Aramco Exhibit and other corporate conference facilities. Together, the facilities will constitute the Saudi Aramco Cultural Park, where individuals and families can experience a rich variety of “edutainment.”

DHAHRAN, The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz Al-Saud, set the symbolic cornerstone of the King Abdulaziz Center for Knowledge and Culture May 20 in a ceremony that took place next to the Saudi Aramco Exhibit.

The center’s mission statement reflects the high hopes the company has for the enterprise: To make a tangible and positive impact on human development by inspiring a passion for knowledge, creativity, cross-cultural engagement and volunteerism, for the future of the Kingdom and the planet.

Given that communities around the world are making sizeable commitments to facilities for public programs advancing socio-economic, cultural and intellectual growth, Saudi Aramco felt well-placed to drive the creation of such a facility in Saudi Arabia and found it a perfect contribution to the country as part of company’s 75th Anniversary. And so the Archive Center became the King Abdulaziz Center for Knowledge and Culture.

Twenty-seven design firms with experience in designing major culture facilities were invited to participate, and 11 responded. A technical review team was assembled to assess those submissions, and six were chosen for the next phase. The six included firms from across Europe, along with two Saudi companies. They were given seven weeks to develop their concepts to a point where they could be judged by an international panel of experts. The criteria included:

•Building aesthetics, design philosophy and relevance to the mission of the project.
•Site — integration with the neighboring facilities and geographic features.
•Access — parking, entrances and exits from the building.
•Structural design — design qualities and technological innovations.
•Daylight control.
•Cost.
•Building services — mechanical, electrical, plumbing, hazard control, air conditioning, etc.
•Sustainability — environmental friendliness.
•Constructability — type and ease of construction.
•Spatial organization — interior circulation and relationship between internal spaces.

“Our team is excited about the compelling vision of the center, which will aim at bringing inspiration alive,” said Fuad F. Therman, director of the center. “The center’s values are a natural extension of Saudi Aramco’s core values, adjusted for sharing with the community at large.”

The international jury, chaired by professor Nader Ardalan — an internationally recognized architectural critic, president of Ardalan and Associates, and Harvard University research fellow at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies — narrowed the field to three companies. “The designs show tremendous imagination and are very unique expressions — geology, sand dunes, rock formations, oil drops. Saudi Aramco wants an iconic building, and they will certainly achieve that,” said Ardalan.

After a deliberation, the jury put forward the designs presented by Oma and Amo, Zaha Hadid and Snohetta for consideration by Saudi Aramco’s Management Committee.

Early in 2008 and based on recommendations by Project Management and the culture center team, the Management Committee chose Snohetta as the architectural team for the center, and work began on finalizing the design ahead of the start of construction in 2009. “I am really fascinated with this project’s noble mission, world-class design and ambitious objectives that are geared toward serving our community,” said project manager Khalid Al-Rashid. “I am extremely fortunate to be part of the KACKC team and cannot wait for my family and I to be a regular visitor to such a place.”

For more information, visit www.culturerocks.com.

(Article by Margot Rawlings)

DHAHRAN, Two employees chosen to speak during Saudi Aramco’s 75th Anniversary Celebration have a lot in common, but there are also a few differences.

Ziyad A. Alkubaisy works as a contracting representative in the Contracting Department. Although he grew up in Dhahran, Alkubaisy worked at a company in Jubail for a year and a half before deciding to start a career with Saudi Aramco, which started April 22.

Khalid A. Obaidah works as a senior industrial skills trainer in the Industrial Training Department. Originally from Al-Hasa, he has been with the company a little longer, starting with Saudi Aramco in 1962. In fact, Obaidah is Saudi Aramco’s longest-serving current employee, which makes his start date 46 years earlier than Alkubaisy’s.

What the two men share is pride in being important members of the Saudi Aramco team and pride in a company culture that has been a longtime leader in the Kingdom’s economic development.

“I started out in the Tomology Division of Preventive Medicine,” Obaidah said. “At that time, Preventive Medicine was working on reducing malaria, tuberculosis (TB) and cancer in the Eastern Province. At that time, the area was crowded without much medical care, and Aramco changed that. The research done at Aramco labs on TB, cancer and trachoma was very important.”

“I’m a second-generation Saudi Aramcon,” Alkubaisy said, noting that his father studied in the United States through a company program and became a hydrologist in 1985.

“We moved to Dhahran Hills at that time and lived on Shedgum Street. I still remember my house, my childhood, all my friends and all the memories.”

Alkubaisy said he had a good job in Jubail but felt that something was missing. “Honestly, switching to Saudi Aramco was like returning to my family because I’m used to the culture,” he said. “I worked as a summer student for two summers while I was in school, and I worked another summer after I graduated. One of the reasons I came back was the career path for Saudi Aramco employees. I strongly believe that it is incomparable to any other organization. There is a huge difference.”

Alkubaisy said he would urge other young people to consider Saudi Aramco careers. “I would advise them to look at more than the salary,” he said. “Look at the intangibles — the company culture, the career growth and the service to the community and volunteer efforts. All companies would like to emulate these Saudi Aramco activities.”

“I’ve been working in the Industrial Training Department since 1978,” Obaidah said, “and we’ve given many people a chance to learn the basic subjects — English, mathematics, history and geography — along with the skills to become electricians or mechanics — skills the company needs, skills that require working with your hands. My advice to young people is to start with the company and then look around at the many different careers that are available. When I started, the jobs were just in the Eastern Province, but now they’re everywhere — Riyadh, Jiddah, Rabigh, Yanbu‘ and all around the world. It’s a great place to work and a great time to be starting out.”

(Article by Stephen L. Brundage)

DHAHRAN, The following is King Abdullah’s message to all the employees of Saudi Aramco, conveyed on the “Thoughts for Generations” electronic message board at the ceremony marking the company’s 75th Anniversary:

In The Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Praise God as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Saudi Aramco, and take pride in the company, its past achievements and its past and present generations of employees.

You have always been a role model for dedication, excellence, performance and loyalty to your country. I wish you, God willing, all the best in your continual excellence in the interest of the country and the whole world.

— Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz

DHAHRAN, Sixty-one years is a long time to be away from home, and for some of the 28 visitors who grew up in one of the Aramco camps in the 1940s, it was 61 years too long.

“I’m delighted to come back. I never thought I’d get the chance to again,” said Caryll Hayden Goodale, who had not been back since her father retired in 1966.

One of the first things the guests did upon arrival was to see if any of their childhood sites still existed, especially their old homes. “Our home was right across the street from what’s now Steineke Hall,” said Alice Fullmer Jandt, who had not been back since 1946 and could not recognize her home. “The actual building is still there, 1636, but the rock wall was taller.”

Eve Kennedy Hern, who lived in Ras Tanura in the 1940s, had a different experience when she visited her home. “The house is still there. Even the front door is the same. The number has changed, though.”

David Engen found the tree that his father had planted in Ras Tanura decades ago. “We have a family photo with this tree,” said Engen. “That’s really incredible that it’s still here.”

Even the weather was familiar to them, as a dust-storm hit one day of their visit. “I’m trying to take pictures of the shamal,” said Mary Patricia Lass, referring to the winds that carry sand from the north. “I remember the shamal being much stronger winds, but because of the buildings and grass, it’s (now) much less.”

To most of the guests, Dhahran buildings are unchanged on the outside, but when they got inside, their memories fell short. “The bowling alley is still there, but boys used to set the pins and then jump out of the way of the balls,” said Cynthia Hills Anders, who grew up with her twin sister, Claudia Jean Dixon, in Dhahran. “Now, it’s all automatic.”

Another aspect of life that has changed since the 1940s is the commissary and its food. “It was real pioneering days,” said Joyceline Haug Kriesmer, who first arrived in the Kingdom in 1946. “We would get fresh produce only every three months. Food was precious.”

To make up for the lack of fresh food, many families had their own vegetable gardens. “The wives made their own cookbooks with recipes for some 35 to 70 people,” said Dixon. “I still use them. They were very creative with some of the ingredients because they had to make do with what was available.”

In more than just food, camp residents found themselves relying on each other. “In those days, there was nothing outside the compound,” said Kriesmer. “We all relied on each other’s talents for parties.”

“We had homemade fun,” said Luella Kurani, a Dhahran resident in the 1940s. “We had costume parties and Halloween parties. We would make taffy pulls, too.”

However, there were other recreational facilities that were available to them: a golf course, a swimming pool and a library. “My sister, Patricia Hills, was an avid reader,” said Anders.
“She was afraid she’d run out of books in the Dhahran library. There was eight feet of bookshelves, then six feet next to it, then another eight feet. She didn’t realize that there
was another library.”

A favorite pastime among the children, even the Dhahran residents, was the beach. “We used to come in the bus and do what I’m doing right now for hours,” said Paula Marlene Hills, a former Dhahran resident, as she collected shells. “I still have many of them.”

Her sister, Patricia Hills Finlayson, agreed. “There’s no beach as beautiful as the beaches here. It feels exactly like it did a million years ago.”

The visitors brought spouses, siblings or children with them on the trip, many of whom had heard stories about their experiences. “I spent many hours in the water,” said Marilyn Jean Wilkens. “I told my daughter, ‘See why I stayed here?’” Karen Lynn now understood. “I’ve heard so much about the Gulf, and now I have the chance to wade in it.”

For many, their visit was a lot like coming home. Marcia Lunde Hedberg, who was born in Dhahran in 1952, said, “This will go down as one of the coolest things in my life. It’s like coming full circle.”

However, for the former residents of Ras Tanura, visiting the beach struck a deeper chord. “That’s our beach. We left our footprints there,” said Kathryn Kennedy Dewey, a Ras Tanura resident in the 1940s. “Judy, I’m sure I saw you running down that beach,” she said to Judith Bauer, another Ras Tanura resident, who in turn replied, “This is my first home.”
(Article by Sara Bassam)

DHAHRAN — As part of a historic program to celebrate Saudi Aramco’s 75th Anniversary, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz Al Saud has set the symbolic cornerstone of the King Abdulaziz Center for Knowledge and Culture.

The groundbreaking ceremony May 20 marked the beginning of developing of the new facility that will bear his father’s name. Located on the Dammam Dome, the iconic structure will stand alongside the site of Prosperity Well No. 7, the first well in Saudi Arabia to yield oil in commercial quantities.

The founder of the modern state of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz envisioned a forward-thinking, advanced Kingdom propelled by Saudi energy and determination. The Center, which will contribute to the future of the Kingdom and the humanity of the planet by promoting knowledge, life long, creativity and cross-cultural understanding and an appreciation of diversity, will honor his vision for his country and his commitment to modernization.

“This company-built Center will serve the community’s needs in the fields of knowledge, culture and the arts,” said Saudi Aramco president and CEO Abdallah S. Jum‘ah. “My hope for this project is that it will be a source of enrichment that will inspire our younger generation and spark their brainpower.”

A Saudi Aramco initiative, the Center will be open to the general public on 2012 and will serve as home to multiple facilities that will include a world-class public library and knowledge creation center. Designed with a café-like atmosphere, the Center’s library will combine digital access to information, connectivity with knowledge centers across the world and an extensive array of books and periodicals.

The Center’s museum will is envisioned to showcase the rich history and legacy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its programs and exhibits will connect the past with the future and fire the imaginations of visitors of all ages. 

An exhibition hall will be the focal point for showcasing cultures of the world in Saudi Arabia through exhibitions that stimulate cross-cultural engagement and appreciation.

A Children’s Education Center will offer an innovative and creative museum and library designed specifically for children from 2-12 years old. The purpose of this facility is to spark in children a love of learning. Children will discover captivating objects and immersive multimedia exhibits that will incorporate storytelling, video, audio and self-directed study to encourage interaction and true hands-on learning.

“Knowledge creation and innovation are the most distinctive merits of any developed or pioneering societies,” said Jum‘ah. “By entering into knowledge and culture partnerships with leading national and international institutions, this Center can be a catalyst for the progress of continuing transformation of our society into a knowledge-generating and innovation-creating one, rather than a mere consumer of such things.”

A full calendar of events throughout the year will include seminars on various subjects as well as performances of plays and musicals in the Center’s auditorium and outdoor facilities. Complementing the theater are various exhibition and event facilities such as exhibition halls, an outdoor amphitheater and adaptable creative spaces that include band and theater rehearsal areas, podcasting and blogging stations, recording and video studios.

Reflecting Saudi Aramco’s commitment to social responsibility, the Center’s volunteer program will harness the collective talents of the Saudi people to benefit local communities. Opportunities will abound for Saudis of all ages and experience levels to help address a variety of needs in areas such as education, healthcare, and youth leadership.

The Center’s innovative and iconic design is being created by Snohetta, an architectural firm based in Norway that specializes in cultural projects. Snohetta has designed iconic projects like the new Alexandria Library in Egypt and the Oslo Opera House in Norway.

A Saudi Aramco’s project management team is working closely with Snohetta to ascertain that the center‘s iconic design is highly appreciative of the Saudi values and any environmental considerations. 

Saudi Aramco has created a distinctive addition to the regional landscape that will welcome all to participate in the exchange of knowledge and ideas.

“It will not be a place for the elite only,” said Jum‘ah. “The Center’s different components will cater to all segments of the society’s ages and tastes.”

The King Abdulaziz Center for Knowledge and Culture this week launched own web site: www.culturerocks.com.

DHAHRAN— Under the patronage of King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and the leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Saudi Aramco kicked off its 75th Anniversary celebration May 20 as government officials, company executives, employees and invited guests gathered to welcome the King and GCC leaders at enormous tents near the Saudi Aramco Exhibit in Dhahran.

The program began with a tour through an exhibition showcasing Saudi Aramco’s story in historic images, detailed timelines and innovative displays of the company’s key operations.

Among the sensory barrage of sights and sounds of the past 75 years, the highlight of the exhibit was a simple yet monumental document — the original signed concession agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Standard Oil of California, displayed in a glass case.

Following the tour, guests were ushered into a newly erected tent-like structure created for the main celebration as King Abdullah welcomed everyone to the historic event and set the tone of pride and gratitude for everything that Saudi Aramco has accomplished for the Kingdom and its people.

“On this occasion, we celebrate the passing of 75 years of national growth,” said King Abdullah, “so thank you very much to the men and women of Saudi Aramco.

“The country has given Saudi Aramco what it needs to become successful and excep-
tional,” the King said. “It gave the company flexibility with which it nationalized technologies and gained from international experience in the necessary fields and industries.”

King Abdullah praised Saudi Aramco not only for its role in national development but also for its role in supporting the Kingdom’s international relations by providing energy to the world and effectively dealing with global energy crises whenever they happen.

In his speech, Ali I. Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, talked about Saudi Aramco’s long history from the time of King Abdulaziz, the Kingdom’s founder, to the present and how much it has propelled this country to where it stands today.

He also emphasized the pivotal role of King Abdullah in the past decade in supporting and guiding several key megaprojects and energizing Saudi Arabia’s economic and industrial capabilities, all for the sake of the people and the Kingdom.

“Today, our employees, both Saudi and expat, recall 75 years of dedication and hard work to build and develop Saudi Arabia’s oil industry, an industry that has spread its wealth and prosperity throughout the Kingdom, from north to south and east to west,” said Al-Naimi.

“While I realize there are no words to convey how much this event means to the Kingdom and to Saudi Aramco,” Al-Naimi said, “I want to, through this speech, highlight the sense of appreciation and pride for all who have left their mark through-out our history of oil production. This industry will continue to bring progress and advancements in the future, thanks in no small part to the support of our country’s leadership, as well as to the dedication, hard work and innovation of this company’s valued employees.”

President & CEO Speaks

Jum’ah spoke next, reflecting upon the company’s successful past and promising future, and expressing on behalf of Saudi Aramco’s employees their pride for being part of this historic moment and for working in the home of the Saudi oil industry.

“We are proud to have inherited a strong tradition of devotion and dedication to our work,” said Jum‘ah, “as well as a culture that we call the culture of Saudi Aramco, built on the discipline, commitment, reliability and accountability of each and every employee. Under the guidance of our country, the company has been allowed to work independently and on pure business acumen — two key elements in the success of Saudi Aramco and its competitive prowess.

“As proud as we are of our past and present, we see an even brighter future ahead of us,” Jum’ah said. “The work and projects we have now will make us better prepared for the next 75 years; they cement Saudi Aramco’s status as a fully integrated company, one of a kind in terms of its expertise, its size and its fundamental role nationally and globally.”

Jum’ah introduced Saudi Aramco’s latest gift to the Kingdom, the King Abdulaziz Center for Knowledge and Culture, to be erected in that very spot near the Saudi Aramco Exhibit. A short film outlined the center’s purpose and all that it would offer to the people of the country.

After the speeches, 75 children came on stage to entertain the guests, dancing to Arabic songs written specially for Saudi Aramco and its 75th Anniversary, followed by gifts given to King Abdullah and the GCC leaders.

King and Families

From there, the anniversary celebration moved to the King’s Road complex in Dhahran, where a representative group of families welcomed King Abdullah and the GCC leaders in a re-creation of King Abdulaziz’s historic second visit in 1947.

This celebration was, in part, a re-enactment of that visit, from the setup of the tents down to the visitors, dressed as they would have been in the 1940s. Costumes included women’s white gloves and hats.

Miles Snyder, who was one of the children who shook hands with King Abdulaziz in 1947, said a few words about both momentous occasions, then and now.

“What was the 1947 event like? It was wonderful,” said Snyder. “We American kids were able to shake the hand of a real king! We all remember the event well. We remember the sight of the King, seated in a large easy chair atop a colorful carpet, with a little table with cookies on it beside him. He was surrounded by his colorful retinue, including many of his sons.

“Today, we join not as children but as adults; many of us are grandparents,” Snyder said. “When we were young, that sense of magic was everywhere, living as we did in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Snyder said of his experiences. “Each of us regards ourselves richer, wiser, more tolerant and understanding because of this great adventure.”

Snyder concluded his remarks with a request: “Just as we had the honor of being photographed with your father, King Abdulaziz, may we please have the honor of being photographed with you?”

Soon afterwards, King Abdullah and his guests watched a series of international folklore performances.

Children performed dances from “The Phantom of the Opera,” along with a Latino segment and a khaliji dance. The performances concluded with the ardah, a traditional sword dance performed by Saudi Aramco employees and expats.

Lydia Fitzmorris, speaking on behalf of employees and families, addressed the King in Arabic, saying, “Your visit makes the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Saudi Aramco an unforgettable event in our lives and those of our children.”

(Article by Ahmad Dialdin and Sara Bassam)

WASHINGTON, D.C., — The Great Hall of the Library of Congress was the setting May 1 for a reception and dinner highlighted by an address from president and CEO Abdallah S. Jum‘ah, which both recognized Saudi Aramco’s 75th anniversary and honored the 22 participants in this year’s Saudi Aramco Management Development Seminar (SAMDS).

Jum‘ah met with the Librarian of Congress, Dr. James H. Billington, and was taken on a tour of some of its current exhibits, including 6,487 books — more than 2,000 of which are original volumes — that represent Thomas Jefferson’s original library and the foundation of the Library of Congress.

Jum‘ah drew the parallel between the role of a library in preserving treasures of the past for the benefit of current and future generations, and Saudi Aramco’s own history, which is a living part of the company today. “Tonight, we as Aramcons look back on 75 years of achievement. We take pride in our company’s history, and in the values and traits which we have in common with those early trailblazers,” Jum‘ah told an audience of nearly 400 Washington opinion leaders, government officials, industry representatives and academics.

Many of the people at the dinner, hosted by Aramco Services Co.’s Washington office, had previous connections with Saudi Aramco or the Kingdom, including former diplomats who served in the region, industry representatives from the original partner companies and current joint venture partners, writers and scholars who work in the Middle East, and company annuitants. U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman was in attendance and discussed energy markets with Jum‘ah.
 
Nadhmi A. Al-Nasr, acting president of King Abdallah University for Science and Technology (KAUST), Andrew J. Guionosso, president of KAUST U.S.A., and professor Fawwaz T. Ulaby, KAUST’s founding provost, also were in attendance, as were a number of senior representatives of U.S. universities partnering with KAUST.

Cooperation and partnership among Saudis, Americans and other nationalities was one of Saudi Aramco’s core ideals from the beginning, Jum‘ah said. That resulted in the sharing of knowledge among cultures. “The story of Aramco is one of partnership, not only between a group of U.S. oil companies and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia but also among generations of individual Americans, Saudis and the citizens of dozens of other nations. … They raised their families side by side, forged lifelong friendships, and demonstrated that people from different cultures and societies can together accomplish extraordinary feats that benefit the entire world.”

Looking forward to the next 75 years, Jum‘ah reassured the audience that Saudi Aramco, as the world’s leading energy exporter, takes seriously its responsibility as a reliable supplier in helping meet the world’s growing energy demand.

Jum‘ah called the SAMDS program, which is more than 30 years old, an excellent example of the company’s long-term commitment to knowledge sharing. “As we work to provide the energy supplies needed to power a growing global economy while simultaneously addressing environmental concerns,” he said, “our greatest strength will continue to be the collective talents of our people. … These individuals (SAMDS participants) and their colleagues are the future of Saudi Aramco, and they will help to ensure that we deliver energy to the world for generations to come.”

Jum‘ah and Ahmad S. Al-Nassar, vice president of Management Services, also took time to meet with SAMDS participants, emphasizing how the program had changed over the years to maintain its relevance to the company’s changing global business environment. “SAMDS has been specifically designed and updated to directly enhance your sophistication and your capacity for improved strategic thinking and a global mindset,” Al-Nassar said.

Jum‘ah also told the audience about the key role KAUST will have in the Kingdom’s development, with its mission of becoming one of the world’s great research institutions; of developing future generations of scientists, researchers, engineers and technologists; and of fostering collaboration and cooperation with other leading knowledge centers, as well as the private sector.
 
Billington said the Library of Congress and KAUST had signed an agreement in April and are working to convene an international advisory committee to map out a strategy to identify, digitize, catalog and annotate significant historical documents and manuscripts related to science in the Arab and Islamic worlds, and to publish those materials in UNESCO’s World Digital Library and other digital collections.
 
Everyone at the dinner received a replica of an astrolabe, an astronomical instrument used by Arab and Muslim scholars, scientists and navigators to determine the position of the stars. Jum‘ah noted that the astrolabe was an incredible technical innovation and tangible reminder of the achievements of Islamic civilization and a powerful example of humanity’s efforts to understand the world through observation and thought.

“We at Saudi Aramco continue to believe in the power of knowledge and innovation. For all of our vast petroleum reserves, our extensive industrial infrastructure, our world-scale computer centers and our complex technical equipment, the intellectual capabilities of the men and women of Saudi Aramco remain far and away the most powerful tools at our disposal,” Jum‘ah said.

“Likewise, I believe that their ability to create, synthesize and utilize knowledge will drive our next 75 years of providing energy to the world, and enable us to perform that role for many generations to come,” he concluded.

DHAHRAN,  — Members of the Dhahran Arabian Horse Association (DAHA) mounted up for the 75th Anniversary Gymkhana on May 1 at the organization’s Hobby Farm.

The group’s 12-member Drill Team, wearing Anniversary T-shirts, started off with a precision musical cavalcade before contestants trotted into the arena for a mounted relay.

Teams of five riders threaded their way through a series of stanchions while balancing an egg on a spoon, delivering letters at the gallop and leading their mounts as contestants hopped along in potato sacks. Experienced and beginning riders, young and old, took part in the event, which organizers called fast and fun-filled.

Instructor Christophe Sargis then set up a challenging course for a six-bar jumping competition, during which contestants tackled successively more daunting jumps through four rounds. Pat Hamner, Rose Auflick and Fawaz Hussain cleared 1.25 meters to share first prize, with places two through six taken by

Abbas Behkit, Kacey Tucker, Michaela Van der Vyver, Katlyn Cochran and Salman Hammad.

The event took on a rodeo flair in the final competitions of Western pole-bending and barrel-racing.

Rose Auflick charged Jumanah through the poles in 28.71 seconds to take first place, followed by Marc Spalding; Tom Owen; Rose Auflick; Katlyn Cochran; and Anna McDermott. Spalding narrowly beat Rose Auflick to take first place in the barrels, with third place going to Sharon Auflick and 4th-6th going to

Rose Auflick (entered on a different horse), Katlyn Cochran, and Celine Lemoine.

Lamis Abdo organized activities for youngsters before everyone enjoyed a barbecue dinner provided by the 75th Anniversary Team. Caps and T-shirts also were issued to those taking part.

Khalid S. Oraifej, 75th Anniversary SDG Tournament coordinator, presented medals, with the help of DAHA Recreation adviser Douglas G. Wuttke and group board members Sue Young and Bridget Van der Vyver.

Members of the Dhahran Arabian Horse Association (DAHA) mounted up for the 75th Anniversary Gymkhana on May 1 at the organization’s Hobby Farm.

The group’s 12-member Drill Team, wearing Anniversary T-shirts, started off with a precision musical cavalcade before contestants trotted into the arena for a mounted relay.

Teams of five riders threaded their way through a series of stanchions while balancing an egg on a spoon, delivering letters at the gallop and leading their mounts as contestants hopped along in potato sacks. Experienced and beginning riders, young and old, took part in the event, which organizers called fast and fun-filled.

Instructor Christophe Sargis then set up a challenging course for a six-bar jumping competition, during which contestants tackled successively more daunting jumps through four rounds. Pat Hamner, Rose Auflick and Fawaz Hussain cleared 1.25 meters to share first prize, with places two through six taken by Abbas Behkit, Kacey Tucker, Michaela Van der Vyver, Katlyn Cochran and Salman Hammad.

The event took on a rodeo flair in the final competitions of Western pole-bending and barrel-racing. Rose Auflick charged Jumanah through the poles in 28.71 seconds to take first place, followed by Marc Spalding; Tom Owen; Rose Auflick; Katlyn Cochran; and Anna McDermott. Spalding narrowly beat Rose Auflick to take first place in the barrels, with third place going to Sharon Auflick and 4th-6th going to Rose Auflick (entered on a different horse), Katlyn Cochran, and Celine Lemoine.

Lamis Abdo organized activities for youngsters before everyone enjoyed a barbecue dinner provided by the 75th Anniversary Team. Caps and T-shirts also were issued to those taking part.

 Khalid S. Oraifej, 75th Anniversary SDG Tournament coordinator, presented medals, with the help of DAHA Recreation adviser Douglas G. Wuttke and group board members Sue Young and Bridget Van der Vyver.

No company achieves the success Saudi Aramco has achieved in its first 75 years without a lot of mind and muscle power from its employees, both past and present.
May 21 has been designated the day those people and their efforts will be celebrated. On that day, celebrations will be held at Saudi Aramco facilities across the Kingdom as the company marks the 75th anniversary of the signing on May 29, 1933, of the concession agreement that allowed an American company, Socal, to begin exploring for oil in Saudi Arabia.

“World-class organizations are successful because they have been able to realize a bold vision,” said president and CEO Abdallah S. Jum‘ah, who noted that Saudi Aramco is particularly fortunate in that its vision remains fresh thanks to the support of the Kingdom’s leaders throughout the company’s history.

“No company can be successful, however, without the hard work and dedication of employees at all levels and in a variety of different disciplines, and in our case, the efforts of people of many nationalities. Our company’s success over the past 75 years is truly cause for celebration,” he said.

The day of celebrations will kick off with an inaugural event in Dhahran, where Jum‘ah will deliver a speech that will be video-streamed live on the company’s Intranet so employees all across the company can watch. Later that morning, celebrations will take place at 11 sites across the Kingdom, each with a member of corporate or executive management delivering a keynote speech. At each of the sites, a film will be shown, and there will be a display of photographs depicting the company’s rich history.

HOUSTON, In recognition of Saudi Aramco’s 75th anniversary, Saudi Aramco World is inviting youth to use new media to share their creative energy through the “Real Arabia” contest.
 
Winners will be published worldwide, and the top 12 also will receive an iPod nano or iPod touch. The deadline to submit digital video/audio entries is March 31.
 
The magazine has been published for nearly 60 years to help English-language readers learn more about the Arab and Islamic worlds. The contest is in that spirit. “We want to let our readers be introduced to a “Real Arabia” by the most creative (and ‘energetic’) young people who know our home country,” its Web site says.

Saudi nationals living anywhere in the world, or expatriates of any nationality who now live or once lived in Saudi Arabia, may compete in one of three age categories: 12 and under, 13 to 17 and 18 to 24.
 
“Real Arabia” means “you, your life, where you are,” the site says. It’s “what feels real to you, today.”

Entries may use combinations of digital video, sound and/or photos. No Web sites or interactive media productions are allowed. Videos can be live or animated. They can have sound or be silent, or they can be audio-only entries.

Entries must be 3 minutes long or less and must be in English. But don’t worry, your English need not be perfect.

For more rules, guidelines and even suggestions, visit http://saudiaramcoworld.com/rac/.

To mark Saudi Aramco’s 75th Anniversary in 2008, the company plans a series of celebrations to generate enthusiasm and excitement among its employees and friends worldwide.
The anniversary, to be celebrated at various events throughout the year, will mark the historic signing of the original Concession Agreement between the Kingdom and Standard Oil of California on May 29, 1933.

Preliminary plans include staging a number of high-profile, world-class events and programs here and around the world.

The theme of the celebrations will be “Energy for Generations,” and will focus on the human side of the company -- past, present and future – as well as its commitment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and global prosperity. Company pioneers and exemplars of the Saudi Aramco spirit will be spotlighted and honored.

“Saudi Aramco is a very special company,” said Ali I. Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and Chairman of the Board of Saudi Aramco.
“The 75th Anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate its great achievements over the years and to highlight the company’s role in contributing to the future of the Kingdom and the world economy,” Al-Naimi said.

President and CEO Abdallah S. Jum‘ah said, “We view this as an opportunity to connect the company’s remarkable past with the exciting promise of the future. It will also allow us to send a big ‘thank you’ to our current and retired employees, to the people of Kingdom and to all those with whom we partner.”

The company has set up a 75th Anniversary Project Team under the direction of Nasser A. Al-Nafisee, previously manager of Central Community Services Department. The team is working out details of a wide range of activities, events and programs to be unveiled in the lead-up to the Anniversary year.

“My team members and I have been talking to company employees inside and outside the Kingdom to solicit their ideas about the Anniversary Program. Everyone we talked to, without an exception, shared with us a sense of excitement and pride,” said Al-Nafisee.
“We want to make this landmark occasion very special,” he added. “It will let us tell the fascinating story of Saudi Aramco in a fresh and innovative way to our people in the company, in Saudi Arabia and around the world.”

In September of this year, the team will launch an informative 75th Anniversary newsletter for employees with the theme “Countdown to a Milestone.” A Web site packed with information on the Anniversary also will be launched then.

Specific events throughout the Kingdom during the Anniversary year will be announced as the countdown approaches 2008.

Activities will involve employees, retirees, company partners and other audiences.

Saudi Aramco today announced it is planning a year-long program of exciting celebrations throughout Saudi Arabia and various countries around the world to mark the company’s 75th Anniversary in 2008.
These celebrations will involve and honor Saudi Aramco’s present employees and retirees, as well as the local communities in which the company operates.  The 75th Anniversary events program will commence with kick-off celebrations for employees in the first quarter of 2008.

Ali I. Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, expressed his excitement at the approaching celebrations: “I am already experiencing all the joys of preparing for and anticipating the Company’s 75th anniversary of the signing of the Concession Agreement in 1933, when the Kingdom’s founder, HM King ‘Abd al-‘Aziz, gave the nod to his Minister of Finance, Shaykh ‘Abd Allah as-Sulayman, to sign the articles of agreement.”

“This far-seeing decision ushered in the historic Saudi oil and development legacy, which thrust the Kingdom onto the world stage and ultimately made it an influential global force.”

A significant focus of the anniversary will be the role Saudi Aramco plays in contributing to the economic development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and global economic stability. 

In line with this focus, the announcement of the 75th Anniversary Year was marked by the unveiling of the anniversary “Energy for Generations” theme and logo.  The theme acknowledges the multiple generations of company pioneers and employees who have contributed to Saudi Aramco’s growth and the Kingdom’s economic development spanning eight decades.The Saudi Aramco 75th Anniversary logo unveiled today brings to life the “Energy for Generations” theme and will be used on a wide range of celebratory materials throughout the anniversary year. 

Energetic, colorful and modern, the logo is a uniquely crafted symbol designed to project the joy, passion and pride associated with the 75th Anniversary celebrations.  Comprising the numerals “75” at the core of a radiating energy dot pattern, it reflects both the human aspect and technical excellence associated with the company. 

The three colors - blue, orange and green - in which the logo will appear are based on the clarity, vibrancy and purity associated with energy.

“As we approach our 75th Anniversary at Saudi Aramco, it is important that we acknowledge the inspiring role played by every generation that has helped to build and grow this great company,” President and CEO Abdallah S. Jum‘ah said today.  “We look forward to celebrating 75 years of human achievement and, most importantly, the talented and dedicated people who have contributed to our success and who will continue to be part of our fabric and growth in the future.

“This is also a moment we can use to look forward with excitement and confidence to our achievements to come, and the legacy we are building now, for future generations as a world leader mindful of our global responsibility,” added Jum‘ah.A special 75th Anniversary commemoration event is being planned for May 2008, to mark 75 years since the signing of the Concession Agreement that launched the company now known as Saudi Aramco. 

The agreement was signed in May 1933 in Jiddah by Shaikh Abdullah Al-Sulaiman, the Saudi Arabian Minister of Finance, and lawyer and land-lease expert Lloyd N. Hamilton, acting on behalf of the Standard Oil Company of California (Socal).

The 75th Anniversary events will be complemented by a number of special publications and other key initiatives due to be unveiled during the course of 2008.  The company has developed a special internal website for employees that is dedicated to the 75th Anniversary, while an internal monthly newsletter will also carry news and updates on events throughout the year.

“This is a momentous milestone in our company’s history, through which we wish to signify the depth of our appreciation to all of those who have contributed to our success,” said Nasser A. Al-Nafisee, director of Saudi Aramco 75th Anniversary celebrations.  “We are certain that the events planned for the anniversary year will excite, empower and inspire as we showcase the story of Saudi Aramco’s success, while uniting our people in a spirit of celebration during this landmark year,” Al-Nafisee added.Full details of forthcoming anniversary events will be available closer to 2008.