The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will celebrate its Founding Day today, Feb 22, commemorating the establishment of the first Saudi state by Imam Mohammed bin Saud in 1727.
Founding Day marks a pivotal moment in the kingdom’s history, beginning the journey from Diriyah to the modern state of Saudi Arabia, now a prominent player on the global stage.
This day reflects a story of struggle and sacrifice, laying the foundations for a strong and stable state that upholds the values of unity, stability, and prosperity. It embodies the pride in the deep-rooted heritage of this blessed state and the strong connection between its citizens and leaders since the founding of the first Saudi state, with its capital in Diriyah and its constitution based on the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The people of the kingdom take pride in this historical legacy established by Imam Mohammed bin Saud, creating a great state with a rich record of social, political, economic, and cultural events experienced by the people of the Arabian Peninsula under the rule of the first Saudi state.
This legacy continued through the reign of the founder of the second Saudi state Imam Turki bin Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Saud, and then the unification of Saudi Arabia by its founder, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman al-Faisal al-Saud, the architect of its development, whose contributions led to its growth and prominent status regionally and globally. His legacy continued through his sons, the successive kings, until the prosperous era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud.
Founding Day offers a valuable opportunity to recall the three-century history of the Saudi state, filled with events and milestones recorded in history books and biographies, reflecting its formation over centuries and the establishment of a cohesive state.
The kingdom’s focus on governance, societal security, serving the Two Holy Mosques, and ensuring a prosperous life for the community has been sustained by deep national cohesion, allowing the Saudi state to withstand external aggression and internal challenges since 1727.
The celebration of Founding Day is based on the royal decree issued in January 2022 by King Salman, designating Feb 22 as Founding Day and a public holiday, symbolising the kingdom’s historical, civilisational, and cultural depth and the connection between its citizens and leaders.
Founding Day differs from the National Day of Saudi Arabia, which marks the naming of the country as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia nearly nine decades ago.
One of the primary objectives of Founding Day is to take pride in the deep roots of the Saudi state, the close bond between citizens and their leaders, and the unity, stability, and security established by the Saudi state.
In conjunction with this national occasion, cities across the kingdom will host numerous cultural and artistic events, showcasing the rich history left by the leaders and figures of the nation to the present day.
These events reflect the various phases of prosperity and hardship the nation has endured, maintaining its strong Arab identity and renewing the concept of national unity at every stage of building the Saudi state. To celebrate Founding Day, the Riyadh Municipality announced the organisation of 47 diverse events in collaboration with 47 municipalities, distributed across various locations in the capital and its governorates.
The events include heritage shows, interactive workshops, artistic evenings, and exhibitions highlighting the kingdom’s historical and cultural heritage.
The organisation of these events aligns with the Riyadh Municipality’s efforts to activate national occasions and enhance community participation, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to strengthen national belonging and connect generations with the nation’s rich history. (QNA)
