By Turki Al Mutairi | Contributing Writer

Saudi Arabia celebrated its founding day on Wednesday, February 22, 2022, for the second time since Imam Muhammad bin Saud founded the first Saudi state on that date in 1727. On January 27, 2023, King Salman released a royal decree designating the day as a national holiday and announcing that it would be observed every year as the nation’s founding day. 

The nation’s founding day anniversary is important since it celebrates the Saudis’ long history and rich cultural heritage, which spans more than 300 years. “It is a celebration of the history of a state, the cohesion of a people, resilience in the face of all challenges, and aspiration for the future,” King Salman said in a statement, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman added that “we have a very important and ancient historical depth, which converges with many civilizations.” Both statements were made public by the official Saudi Press Agency. 

It is critical to distinguish between the national day on September 23, 1932, which symbolizes Saudi Arabia’s unification of Najd and Hejaz under King Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the founding day on February 22, which came to represent the foundation of the first Saudi state in 1727 under Imam Muhammad bin Saud. This event is fundamental for the Diriyah province, which was the site of the establishment of the first Saudi state, which makes it historically important. 

To celebrate the occasion, the government announced a four-day holiday from Wednesday to Saturday. The holiday was marked by a range of festivities and events, including the Sohail historic musical composition at Al-Turaif in Diriyah, the “Majlis” event at the King Fahd National Library, the “Foundation March” event in Riyadh, and “Our Muallagat: The Extension of Glory” event at Princess Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University. These events presented the story of the country’s founding, reflected the achievements made by the Saudi leaders, and highlighted the country’s historical and cultural heritage. 

The events were not only for the locals but also attracted tourists from all over the world. One of the most notable participants in the celebrations was Cristiano Ronaldo, the famous Portuguese footballer, who joined in the celebration with his fellow teammates at Al-Nassr FC. Ronaldo wore the traditional Saudi “thawb” and even performed the “Najdi Ardah” dance, showing his appreciation for the country’s culture and customs. 

The celebration of Saudi Arabia’s foundation day serves as a symbol of the nation’s achievements and development over the centuries. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made enormous progress toward its 2030 vision of a diverse and sustainable economy under the rule of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The country has launched a number of ambitious projects, such as the Neom smart city, the Red Sea Project, the Green Saudi Initiative, and others, all with the objective of developing Saudi Arabia as a significant worldwide core for trade, hospitality, and culture. 

The celebration shows the abundant cultural and historical legacy of Saudi Arabia while highlighting the nation’s ambition for a modern and bright future. The variety of activities and celebrations that took place over the holiday have shown the progress being made in Saudi

Arabia’s modernization efforts, which portrays public support for the leadership’s vision for the years ahead.