Muqran bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud
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Prince Muqran bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud (born September 15, 1945, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) is a member of the House of Saud and the second-youngest son of the founder of Saudi Arabia, `Abd al-`Azīz Āl Sa`ūd. He served as governor of the province of Medina, which contains Islam's second-holiest city and extends to the Red Sea coast. On October of 2005, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al Saud appointed him as president of the General Intelligence Directorate with cabinet rank. His predessesors in this position include Prince Nawaaf bin Abdul Aziz al Saud, Prince Turki Al Faisal and Sheikh Kamal Adham.
He was educated at the Ideal Academy of the Capitol, a traditional institute in Riyadh, but after graduating there joined the Saudi Air Force and in so doing pursued a career at the Royal Air College, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautics in 1968. He continued to study in Britain until 1970 when he became a commander the 2nd Air Squadron. Muqran served in the 12th Squadron from 1973 to 1977. After returning to Saudi Arabia, he became Adjutant to the Director of Air Operations, and then President of Operations and Planning of the Royal Saudi Air Force.
On March 18, 1980, King Khalid appointed Muqran governor of the northwestern province of Ha'il, a post he held until November 24, 1999, when he assumed his current posting in Madinah. During his time in Ha'il, Muqran was known as an enthusiastic promoter of traditional culture, as well as of vast improvements in education and health care in one of the more remote regions of the country. As Governor of Medina Province, Muqran has been a major player in King Fahd's efforts to modernise the Islamic holy sites within the city after fighting during recent hajj events.
Muqran is known for his interest in studying possibilities for the development of agriculture and for his love of reading.