Marking the foundation of the First Saudi State in 1727 by Imam Muhammad bin Saud, Saudi Arabia will celebrate the Saudi Founding Day every year on 22 February. The Saudi Founding Day (يوم التأسيس السعودي) will commemorate the historical foundation of the Saudi State, making the Saud citizens appreciate and cherish the solid roots and the cohesiveness, stability and security of their Kingdom.
Read further as Wego unveils the celebration of Saudi Founding Day in 2024.
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Saudi founding day 2024 date and holiday
According to a royal decree issued by the custodian of Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to mark the foundation of the First Saudi State in 1727 by Imam Muhammad bin Saud, 22 February has been announced as the official Saudi Founding Day, to be celebrated every year.
For the year 2024, the Saudi Founding Day on 22 February falls on a Thursday.
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Saudi founding day history
The Saudi Founding Day will be celebrated on 22 February every year to commemorate the historical foundation of the Saudi State. The historical significance of the Saudi Founding Day dates back to the fifth century when the Banu Hanifah tribe first settled in the center of the Arabian Peninsula.
The settlement further led to the establishment of the kingdom of Al-Yamama, centered in the Al A’arid region in Najd. However, the Arabian Peninsula became unstable, and the authority was fragmented after the fall of the Rashidun Caliphate. Nonetheless, successfully returning to Central Arabia in 1446, Prince Mani’ ibn Rabi’a al-Muraydi established Diriyah by merging the neighborhoods of Ghasbya and Al-Mulaybeed.
Contributing over 280 years, the sons and grandsons of Prince Mani’ ibn Rabi’a al-Muraydi, devoted their lives to maintaining Diriyah’s continuing position as a major city in the region. Following this, Imam Muhammad bin Saud soon became the ruler of Diriyah on 22 February 1727 and began the establishment of the First Saudi State.
With an aim to bring unity to the region by securing stability within Diriyah and surrounding towns and tribes and by protecting pilgrimage and trade routes as a ruler, Imam Muhammad bin Saud also expanded and regulated the economic affairs of the state, fortifying the walla of Diriyah.
Saudi founding day guidelines and objectives
The Saudi Founding Day is mainly celebrated with the objective of encouraging Saudi citizens to:
- cherish the solid roots of the Saudi State
- cherish the close bonds between themselves and the leaders
- appreciate the cohesiveness, stability and security established by the Saudi State
- appreciate the continuity of the Saudi State as a reflection of the strength of its leaders and its deep roots
- cherish the national unity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, established by King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Al Saud
- be proud of the achievements of the Kings of Saudi Arabia in building the country and strengthening its national cohesiveness and prosperity
