King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, 68, died on 1975-03-25 00:00:00 UTC. A leader of the Arab world, King Faisal was a powerful force in his native Saudi Arabia and a respected leader in global politics. He assumed the throne of Saudi Arabia in 1964, and was widely credited for modernizing the kingdom and unifying its tribes. In his reign, King Faisal ushered in many landmark reforms to his country, including the creation of the first public school system and public health services. He also worked to create jobs and promote economic growth in Saudi Arabia. A leader in the Muslim community, he worked to promote better education for Arab women and worked with both the United Nations and the non-aligned nations. A friend of both the west and the middle east, King Faisal will be remembered for his commitment to peace and justice through dialogue. He will be deeply mourned by the people of Saudi Arabia and the world. May he rest in peace.