‘Sleeping Prince’ Of Saudi Arabia Dead At 36 After 20-year Coma | Saudi Arabia News | N18G

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‘Sleeping Prince’ Of Saudi Arabia Dies At 36 After 20-Year Coma

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is mourning the passing of Prince Al Waleed bin Khalid bin Talal Al Saud, affectionately known across the Arab world as the “Sleeping Prince.” The young royal succumbed to complications at the age of 36, after spending over two decades in a coma following a tragic car accident. His long ordeal, marked by resilience and technological marvels, touched hearts across the nation and inspired conversations about hope, fate, and advances in medical care.

A Promising Life Interrupted

Born in Riyadh in 1987, Prince Al Waleed was the son of Prince Khalid bin Talal and the nephew of billionaire investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. As a member of the extensive Al Saud royal lineage, his early years were marked by privilege and promise. He was known for his keen intellect, compassion for the less fortunate, and his enthusiasm for the future of Saudi Arabia, in line with the progressive ambitions of the royal family.

This promising trajectory came to a sudden halt in 2005, when at just 16 years old, Prince Al Waleed was involved in a devastating car accident. The crash left him with severe brain injuries, plunging him into a persistent vegetative state, commonly referred to as a coma. Over the years, he became a symbol of endurance, with his condition being watched closely by millions.

Two Decades in the Public Eye

As news of the prince’s accident spread, so did public sympathy and fascination. Saudi media provided regular updates on his condition, and his family frequently shared videos and photographs, making efforts to maintain his dignity and to share moments where his body showed small reflexes or involuntary movements. These glimpses of motion would periodically fuel hopes among his vast circle of supporters that recovery might still be possible.

Despite his state, Prince Al Waleed’s hospital room became a focal point for prayers and hope. For his parents—especially his father, Prince Khalid bin Talal, himself a prominent figure in Saudi society—the prince’s ongoing battle for survival became a deeply personal campaign underscored by faith. In Islam, the preservation of life is paramount, and the family’s steadfast refusal to cease life support was often framed within religious and ethical considerations.

The Family’s Vigil and Public Prayers

For over twenty years, Prince Khalid and Princess Jazzi bint Saud, Prince Al Waleed’s mother, refused to give up on their son. They resisted occasional outside calls for ending life-sustaining measures, instead expressing deep faith that any recovery, however slight, was possible through divine intervention and advances in medicine. “We place our trust in God and the possibility of a miracle,” Prince Khalid once remarked in a rare interview, voicing sentiments shared by many.

Princess Jazzi spent considerable time at her son’s bedside, reciting verses from the Qur’an and offering ceaseless prayers. The family received messages of support not only from Saudi nationals but also from admirers across the Arab world and beyond. Clerics, celebrities, and ordinary Saudis alike voiced their hopes for a miracle.

Each medical update was met with intense public engagement online, sometimes resulting in trending hashtags on platforms such as Twitter. Videos showing the prince’s apparent reflexive movements—occasional eye flickers, spontaneous limb motions, or even facial expressions—became viral, interpreted by some as indicators of hope.

Medical Marvels and Debates

Prince Al Waleed’s case became emblematic of the advances and limitations in modern medicine. He was maintained on life support with mechanical ventilation, nutrition through feeding tubes, and round-the-clock nursing care. Over the years, his case prompted discussions not only on the ethics of long-term life-sustaining treatment but also on the boundaries of hope and technology.

Some medical experts periodically weighed in, explaining that cases of recovery after so many years in a vegetative state are exceedingly rare. Yet, others pointed out that the prince’s continued survival itself was noteworthy, and hoped his case might one day yield insights into treatments for traumatic brain injury.

The Saudi health system was praised for its dedication. No expense or effort was spared in caring for the prince, a testament to both royal resources and the Kingdom’s broader investment in healthcare. The presence of cutting-edge medical technologies—alongside an unwavering commitment from his caregivers—ensured Prince Al Waleed’s decades-long preservation.

The Passing and National Reaction

On the evening of June 4, 2024, an official statement from the royal family confirmed that Prince Al Waleed had passed away. “With hearts that believe in Allah’s wisdom, we mourn the loss of our beloved son, whose long journey touched so many,” the family’s statement read.

News of the prince’s death resonated swiftly throughout the country and across international Muslim communities. Thousands offered condolences online, with many recalling moments when they prayed for his recovery. The Saudi royal court announced three days of national mourning, while flags across the Kingdom were flown at half-mast.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman issued a personal note of condolence to Prince Khalid and Princess Jazzi, praising their “unbreakable faith and devotion” over two decades of hardship. Leading religious authorities echoed similar sentiments, reminding followers of the value of patience, faith, and submission to divine will.

Funeral and Royal Farewell

The funeral took place the next day at the Grand Mosque in Riyadh. Thousands gathered, including senior royals, political dignitaries, and ordinary citizens. The muted pageantry underscored the solemnity of the occasion, with clerics leading prayers for the departed and for the comfort of his family.

In a moving tribute, Prince Khalid thanked well-wishers and all medical staff who had cared for his son. “Al Waleed showed us the meaning of perseverance, even in silence,” he said through tears. Saudi television aired a retrospective on the prince’s life, highlighting his early years, the tragic accident, and the decades of hope that followed.

Legacy and Symbolism

Although his life was largely spent in silence, Prince Al Waleed became an unlikely symbol—a rallying point for debate over the boundaries between hope and acceptance, science and faith. For many Saudis, he came to represent unwavering parental love, the power of prayer, and the complexities of medical ethics in the modern age.

Religious scholars frequently cited the family’s devotion as an example of fortitude in the face of hardship. “The ordeal of the ‘Sleeping Prince’ taught us to never lose hope,” wrote Sheikh Abdulrahman al-Sudais in a widely shared eulogy.

Others, especially within the medical and ethical communities, used his case to spark conversations about the proper balance between technological intervention and humane decision-making—a debate that remains ever-relevant in a world of advancing medicine.

A Broader Regional and Global Impact

Prince Al Waleed’s story did not remain confined within Saudi Arabia. Over the years, his ordeal struck chords in other Arab and Muslim societies. Media throughout the Middle East carried regular updates on his condition, and prayers for his recovery became common in mosques from Cairo to Kuala Lumpur.

His case was also cited in international medical forums, sometimes compared to similar high-profile cases in the West. The discussion pointed to both similarities and differences in cultural and religious approaches to end-of-life care.

Enduring Lessons And Family Tribute

As the nation reflects on the prince’s passing, many are asking what larger truths or lessons emerge from his journey. King Salman, in his condolence message, emphasized the capacity of the human spirit to endure even the most inconceivable tragedies. “The steadfast faith and resilience shown by the prince’s family have touched our hearts and reminded us all of the power of hope,” he said.

The royal family has announced that a charitable foundation will be set up in Prince Al Waleed’s name. Its mission will include supporting families dealing with traumatic brain injury, raising awareness of road safety, and promoting advances in medical science.

Looking to the Future

Although Prince Al Waleed has finally been laid to rest, his story will continue to echo through the corridors of hospitals and the halls of family homes. For Saudi society, his ordeal serves both as a warning about the terrible consequences of road accidents and as an inspiring tale of familial love and endurance.

For two decades, the “Sleeping Prince” was a quiet presence at the center of national attention, sparking hope, prayer, reflection, and debate. In his passing, Saudi Arabia remembers not only a young man who never woke from his slumber, but also the ways in which he brought people together through faith, compassion, and the shared hope for a miracle.

As the sun sets over Riyadh, the Kingdom says farewell to a prince whose long sleep and quiet death have left a nation changed, if not awakened, to the enduring power of hope against impossible odds.

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