On February 22, 2024, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrated the anniversary of its Founding Day, a date that has become an annual observance filled with vibrant cultural and artistic events across the nation, showcasing expressions of love, creativity, and loyalty. The festivities honoured the rich history bestowed upon the Kingdom by its visionary leaders and remarkable citizens who, through the ages, have championed progress.
The events vividly re-enacted pivotal chapters from the Kingdom’s past, illustrating the journey through times of prosperity and adversity. These celebrations firmly upheld Saudi Arabia’s authentic Arab identity and reinforced the concept of national unity. The enduring bond between the people and their leaders has been a hallmark of the Kingdom, leading to the current era of prosperity and progress thanks to Saudi Vision 2030.
Reflecting on the Kingdom’s flourishing legacy
The historical narrative took us back to a significant day in 1139 AH, equivalent to February 1727, when Imam Mohammed bin Saud laid the foundation of the first Saudi state in Al-Diriyah. This marked the inception of an era guided by the noble principles of the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him.
The Kingdom’s citizens hold in high regard the profound historical legacy initiated by Imam Mohammed bin Saud. The first Saudi state emerged as a beacon of progress, experiencing remarkable social, political, economic, and cultural milestones. From the era of Imam Turki bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud, who founded the second Saudi state, to the unification of the Kingdom under King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al-Faisal Al-Saud, the nation has witnessed significant growth and development.
King Abdulaziz, revered as the Kingdom’s unifier, was instrumental in shaping its modern trajectory, enhancing its stature on regional and global platforms. His legacy is carried forward by his sons and successors, including King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, who continue to guide the Kingdom towards prosperity.
The Founding Day serves as a moment of reflection on the three centuries since the establishment of the first Saudi state, highlighting the key milestones that have shaped the Kingdom’s history. The achievements of this era, spanning across the Arabian Peninsula, underscore the nation’s commitment to security, the service of the Two Holy Mosques, and the well-being of its people, overcoming numerous challenges along the way.
The Diriyah narrative: a vision of splendour
Amidst the Founding Day celebrations, attention turned to Diriyah, the birthplace of the first Saudi state, currently undergoing an extraordinary transformation under the stewardship of the Diriyah Gate Authority. This ambitious project aims to revitalise the historic city, turning it into a global cultural and lifestyle destination while preserving its rich heritage.
Diriyah, once the stronghold of the Saudi dynasty, is set to become a testament to the Kingdom’s dedication to its roots and its forward-looking vision. The development includes the restoration of historical sites, the creation of world-class cultural attractions, and the integration of modern urban design, all encapsulated within the traditional Najdi architectural style.
A little history…
A state of stability prevailed in the central region of the Arabian Peninsula when the Banu Hanifa tribe came from Hijaz and settled in the region on the banks of Wadi Hanifa under the leadership of Obaid bin Tha’labah, who chose Hajr Al-Yamamah as a settlement for him and his clan around the year 430 AD. Hajr flourished and became the greatest city of Al-Yamamah, led by Thumamah bin Athal Al-Hanafi, King of Al-Yamamah at the time, who had a historical and famous story with Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him.
Several events took place in the middle of the Arabian Peninsula which witnessed neglect, division, and split until Diriyah was established in 850 AH / 1446 AD, by Prince Manea bin Rabia Al-Muridy, the twelfth grandfather of late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Al Saud, the 13th of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the 14th of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The founding of Diriyah was a political turning point as it introduced the application of the theory of the city-state, a unique characteristic unprecedented in neighboring cities and towns. The city-state history was long experienced in the Arab peninsula and Yathrib can be cited as a clear example of a developing city-state at the time of the migration of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) to it.
During the era of Imam Mohammed bin Saud, the first Saudi State was established in 1139 AH / 1727 AD, with Diriyah as its capital, and lasted until 1233 AH / 1818 AD. As an extension of the first Saudi State, the second Saudi State was established by Imam Turki bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud from 1240 to 1309 AH (1824 to 1891 AD), up to the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by the late King Abdulaziz Al-Faisal Al Saud in 1319 AH / 1902 AD, which today witnesses extensive developments during the current era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, with the support of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
This deep history deserved to be remembered by the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as it expresses the deep-rooted history of our State, which extends over three centuries. Therefore, a Royal Decree was issued on Jumada II 24, 1443 AH corresponding to January 27, 2022 AD, announcing that the 22nd day of February of every year shall be designated to mark the commemoration of the founding of the Saudi state under the name “Founding Day”.
Throughout its history, the Kingdom had a political weight in the region, taking advantage of its distinguished geographical location as well as the wisdom of its leaders to crystalize as a point of balance regionally and at the level of the Middle East region. The historical turning points that the Saudi State went through affirmed the extent of deep-rooted, centuries-long solid ties binding the people of the Kingdom with their brothers in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, yielding today’s results inherited from fathers and grandfathers.
To determine the date of the founding day, historians have deduced this date was based on several historical events that occurred during that period before and after Imam Mohammed bin Saud assumed power in Diriyah in 1139 AH / February 22, 1727 AD. Since the beginning of his reign, the State has witnessed many works and achievements. Among the most prominent of them: were the establishment of the first Saudi State, the unification of the two parts of Diriyah and integration of it to become the capital of the State, interest in internal affairs, strengthening and unifying the Diriyah community.
The first Saudi State also witnessed far-sight thinking including streamlining of economic resources. In this era, Al-Turaif was built as a new neighborhood in Samhan, which they moved to replace the Ghasaiba neighborhood which was the center of government for a long time.
The Founding Day represents a cherished national occasion that demonstrates the extent of firmness, well-built, and stability of the ruling institution and the Saudi State system for nearly three centuries. Since the founding of the first Saudi State during the reign of Imam Mohammed bin Saud, it was based on the principles of genuine Islam, rational governance, the continuing development of the country, and the strengthening of its position locally, regionally, and globally. Serving the Two Holy Mosques and the guests of Allah Almighty was a top priority for the leaders of the Saudi State, a practice inherited by the successive kings of the Kingdom, all the way to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Achievements continued during the era of this State, including spreading steady stability and great prosperity in various fields, enforcing political independence and never succumbing to any influence in the region or from outside, and supporting neighboring towns to enhance stability.
Having a second look at “Diriyah”, the mirror of the history of the Saudi State, we find that Prince Manea Al-Muridy, his sons, and grandsons ruled the city, which, thanks to its geographical location turned to be a civilized center, and a trade hub connecting the north and south of the Arabian Peninsula and contributing to the promotion of inter-trade and that in the neighboring regions.
During the reign of Imam Mohammed bin Saud and the following leaders, the city of Diriyah became the capital of a vast State, and a source of economic, social, intellectual, and cultural attraction, embracing some landmark artifacts including, the historic Ghasaiba neighborhood, Samhan region, At-Turaif District, which was registered in UNESCO’s list UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Al-Bujairi region and Wadi Hanifa. In addition to that, the State’s financial system was described as one of the distinguished systems in terms of balancing resources and expenditures.
Many scholars migrated to Diriyah for education and authoring which was prevalent at the time, leading to the emergence of a new school in major types of calligraphy. After the end of the first Saudi State, Imam Turki bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud was able to restore the second Saudi State with Riyadh as its capital in 1240 AH / 1824 AD following seven years of work and struggle, attracting people to support him and the royal family again.
Imam Turki was able to unify most parts of the Arabian Peninsula in a short period, following the sober approach on which the first Saudi State was based, mainly maintaining security, and education, bringing about justice and eliminating division and rivalry. The State continued to rule the region until 1309 AH 1891.
After a political vacuum and chaos in the middle of the Arabian Peninsula that lasted for nearly ten years, late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Al Saud managed on the fifth of Shawwal in the year 1319 AH corresponding to the 15th of January 1902 AD to re-establish the Saudi State after he recovered the city of Riyadh to usher in a new chapter of the Saudi history and lay a solid block of unity, stability, and development under the banner of (There is no god but Allah، and Mohammed is the Messenger of Allah).
On the 17th of the month of Jumada al-Awwal in the year 1351 AH corresponding to September 23, 1932 AD, the late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Al Saud announced the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, following historical events that lasted 30 years.
His sons, who assumed power as kings after him, followed his approach to enhancing building, stability, and development until the current era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, as the Kingdom witnesses in this auspicious era more development and renaissance per the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030.
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