Mohammed bin Salman

Prince Mohammed bin Salman is the chairman of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, also known as MiSK, which attempts to further the goals set by Vision 2030, by empowering the younger generation.

Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was born on August 31, 1985 in Riyadh to current King Salman and his third spouse, Fahda bint Falah bin Sultan bin Hathleen. His mother is the granddaughter of Rakan bin Hithalayn, who was the head of the Al Ajman tribe.

He completed his primary education in the city of Riyadh and was ranked among the kingdom's top 10 students. He then graduated with a law degree from King Saud University, where he ranked second in class.

After completing his graduation, Prince Mohammed bin Salman established a number of firms working in the private sector before becoming involved in governmental work as the personal aide to his father. He worked for the Saudi Cabinet as a consultant for the Experts Commission.

He began his political journey in 2007 when he became a full-time adviser to the Council of Ministers. On December 15, 2009, he became a special advisor to his father, who was serving as the governor of Riyadh Province.

During this time, he quickly rose from one position to another, and continued to serve as part-time consultant for the Experts Commission till 2013. He was the secretary-general of the Riyadh Competitive Council, special advisor to the chairman for the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, and a board of trustees member for Albir Society in Riyadh.

One month after the death of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz in October 2011, his father began his ascent to power by becoming second deputy prime minister and defense minister. He made Salman his private advisor at this time.

After Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud died in June 2012, his father became the new crown prince and first deputy prime minister, which moved him up to the No.2 position in the hierarchy.

In April 2016, Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced his intention to restructure Saudi Arabia's economy, and introduced Vision 2030, the country's strategic orientation for the next 15 years. It details the various measures to be taken in developing non-oil revenues ranging from privatization of the economy to e-government and sustainable development.

He successfully overturned tradition by restricting the powers of the religious police, and established an Entertainment Authority which has hosted comedy shows, pro wrestling events and monster truck rallies. He also intends to provide 'Green cards' for non-Saudi foreigners and has announced a project to build a 334 square kilometer city, one of the world’s largest cultural, sports and entertainment cities, in Al Qidiya.

After publicly warning about a corruption crackdown in May 2017, he orchestrated the arrest of over 40 princes and government ministers, which also included Saudi prince and billionaire Al-Waleed bin Talal, for corruption and money laundering. While some saw it as a step towards reform, the international media labeled the purge as a power grab attempt, reporting that it was not clear what "those detained are suspected of".

Thanks to his cultural reforms, Saudi Arabia’s first public concert by a female singer was held in December 2017, following which a sports stadium in Jeddah became the first in the Kingdom to admit women. In early 2018, it was announced that public cinemas in Saudi Arabia would reopen after a ban of 35 years.

He is also credited for having influenced the removal of the ban on female drivers in September 2017. He also stated that by denouncing the rigid doctrines that were strangulating the Saudi Arabia, the country is returning to its roots of moderate Islam.