"I had to admit to being most impressed. Ibn Saud was the first Muslim who gave me a feeling of closeness to my own innermost convictions. Perhaps that was caused by his simple respect of and belief in divine guidance in his life; perhaps it was his inner urge to share what was deepest of himself. He had the courage to bare before strangers the very foundation of his life. He was proud of his uncomplicated creed, sure that he held the truth and convinced that his hearers would at least respect him for it. And that we did.

"This meeting was more than an official audience. For me it was like being admitted into another’s sanctum sanctorum. My heart warmed to Ibn Saud and I could not help being moved. I knew that I had met a man who aroused expectations in me. This man would be a blessing to his land and to its tens of thousands of yearly visitors."

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