From the tough and untamed living circumstances rise up and the strongest men, those whose personalities are shaped by the challenges and situations they witness.

This says a lot about the Saudi lands magnate Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Mousa who was born and brought up in Al Bir village, Thadiq governorate, in the middle of tight living conditions marked by scarcity in resources and capabilities.

We will demonstrate here some glimpses of Sheikh Abdulaziz’s life including his start and how he turned to be the biggest landlord in Riyadh.

The start in Al Bir

Born in 1350 Hijri in the village that lies 130 kms away from Riyadh, Abdulaziz was sent to “Kottab” (Small irregular school in the village), same as all children at that time, to learn reading, writing, and math.

Before completing his first decade, the small child was already working in farming and plowing. When he turned 13, he moved with his brother “Saad” to Riyadh to work in masonry.

“Half Riyal” was the sheikh’s wage per day while working in building mud houses in Riyadh neighborhoods.

Striving was the only path he knew for success, that’s why he worked hard and patiently. Still in his adolescence, he bore tough tasks which strong adult men wouldn’t dare to take on.

The boy’s experience grew day after day, he rose up in rank to become a “master” in his profession. A significant post that many masons looked up to, however, “mastery” wasn’t reckoned as an accomplishment for him.

Deep inside, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Mousa knew that this is not the end of the road, but only the beginning of it.

Transformation stage

The sheikh’s honesty brought him huge capital that has more value than riyals or dinars; it’s people’s confidence and a boundless positive reputation that sprout in Riyadh and grew to cover all the Kingdom.

He was known for being committed in all his words and deeds, hence investors trusted in partnering up with him to set off his first real estate contribution in one of the capital’s districts.

The project achieved a lot of success, it represented the first step that opened the door for many further projects forming a chain of extended successes.

The main factor contributing in the occurrence of these achievements is Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Mousa’s integrity, and his love to ensure common good.

Real estate changes in the post-boom crisis

The first real estate crisis to hit KSA, known as the post-boom crisis was a crucial factor in growing the sheikh’s fortune.

The crisis was primarily shaped in the period between 1973 and 1981 which witnessed an economic boom driven by the surging oil prices.

This surge released the government’s expenditure to an extreme extent, which raised inflation rates by 30%. As a result, property prices hiked across all major Saudi cities in an unprecedented rate to hit SAR1000 in some places.

The oil drop in mid-1980 urged the kingdom to decrease its production rate, but the step didn’t leave any impact as barrel prices kept falling.

These developments cast a dark shadow on properties market pulling rental prices down by 50%, and sales prices by 80%.

Amidst this great collapse, Saudi government intervened by forming a supreme committee entitled to compensate land lords losses through buying their properties with very tempting prices at that time.

Unlike most properties holders, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Mousa didn’t sell his assets, he rather preferred to wait until the market regains its fervor.

His patience has proven to be very rewarding indeed to manifest the fact he has always believed in; that properties could sicken, but would never die.

His marketing technique

When asked about his marketing technique, he said that it’s mainly based on giving lands their actual value and leaving space for others to benefit.

He added that discipline is a must also. Discipline in everything; words, selling, accepting contract cancellations, etc.

For Sheikh Al Mousa, selling isn’t only about making profit, it’s about ensuring common good and dispersing nice virtues and manners.

Future lies in multi-storey buildings

Real estate now is witnessing major changes forced by the increasing rate of population growth and the high demand on residential properties, which led to a surge in sale and rental prices.

Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Mousa has always believed that multi-storey buildings are the best solution to resolve the situation.

He said that adopting this solution by investors will contribute in stabilizing the market and will return with a lot of benefit to buyers, tenants, and investors themselves.

The hidden part of his life

There is a hidden part in his life which he has always preferred to keep covered. Even when he went for a press or TV interview, he would ask the interviewer not to address this specific subject, it’s his charities.

Along his life, he has always been keen on securing residential units for the poor and the unfortunate with remarkable accomplishments in this regard.

He contributed in building 300 housing units allotted for those in need in Abha. He also contributed in King Salman Charity Housing Project, and many other.

Al Mousa has always been an idol for other real estate and business men, especially when it comes to charity.

He was a pioneer, and has always asked his colleagues to facilitate housing ownership for youth and low-income buyers to bolster social solidarity values.

In others’ eyes

Many Saudi highly appreciated figures have witnessed the sheikh and seen the achievements he made.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz was quoted saying “If I had many men like Sheikh Abdualziz Al Mousa, I would never need law courts”.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz said “during my service as the governor of Riyadh Province, I hadn’t received any complaint against the Sheikh, although real estate issues are often contentious”.

Prince Mutaib bin Abdullah described him saying that he’s well recognized of being good and righteous. He said also that people of his sort are gifts from Allah bestowed upon Saudi Arabia to touch people’s needs.

His death

Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Mousa died in the 12^th of Rabi’ Al-Awal, 1434 Hijri to leave behind a huge legacy of properties, sons trekking on the same path, and a biography holding in its folds great teachings for new generations signifying the value of work, altruism, and being benevolent in all life dealings.

Whoever tracks the sheikh’s path will find full guidance to the only route of righteousness.

Obtaining Allah’s blessings is only attainable by extending a helping hand to others, that’s what we’ve learned from the sheikh, and other well-doers in this world.

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