Founding Day

Saudi founding day

King Salman bin Abdulaziz issued a royal decree on the occasion of February 22 to mark the annual Saudi Foundation Day. It is also the first to commemorate the establishment of the first Saudi state about three centuries ago, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia designated February 22 as the founding day, an annual holiday to celebrate the founding of the first Saudi state in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, according to the royal decree issued by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Saud, with the aim of commemorating the history of good Saudi rule that dates back hundreds of years. [1]

The story of the Saudi founding day

The founding day begins at the beginning of the eighteenth century, during the reign of Imam Muhammad bin Saud in the middle of the year 1139 AH corresponding to February 1727 AD. Where he established the first Saudi state, and it was called the Great Emirate of Diriyah, which was also translated as the Emirate of Diriyah, also known as the First Saudi State in February 1727 (1139 AH). In 1744, founder Muhammad ibn Saud and religious leader Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab formed an alliance to found a movement for social and religious reform to unite the many states of the Arabian Peninsula. Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab and Muhammad ibn Saud agreed to devote themselves to restoring the pure teachings of Islam to the Muslim community. In this spirit, Ibn Saud established the first Saudi state in 1727, and it flourished under religious and political guidance, and by 1788, the Saudi state ruled the entire central plateau known as Najd. By the early nineteenth century, its rule extended to most of the Arabian Peninsula, including Mecca and Medina. The popularity and success of the Al Saud rulers at the time aroused the suspicion of the Ottoman Empire, which was the dominant power in the Middle East and North Africa at the time. In 1818, the Ottomans sent a large expeditionary force armed with modern artillery to the western region of the Arabian Peninsula. The Ottoman army besieged Diriyah, which grew into one of the largest cities on the peninsula. Ottoman forces destroyed the city with field guns and made it permanently uninhabitable by destroying wells and uprooting palm trees.

Saudi founding day

Foundation Day is an official holiday in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on February 22 of each year. This holiday was set in 2022 to recognize the founding of the first Saudi state in 1727 by Imam Muhammad bin Saud. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, had issued a royal decree approving the 22nd of February of each year as an official holiday to celebrate the founding of the Saudi state under the name “Foundation Day”. The Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Eng. Ahmed Al-Rajhi confirmed that the royal decree that the founding day be an official holiday for the public and private sectors. The significance of 1727 in the story of Saudi Arabia has become ever clearer in light of extensive research by historians and archaeologists. It is worth noting that the Founding Day is not intended to replace the Saudi National Day (September 23), which celebrates the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, but rather to recognize the beginning of the history of the Saudi state with a new event that celebrates the deep historical roots. The kingdom.

Foundation Day Logo 2022 / 1443

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced the visual identity of the Founding Day, in conjunction with the recent issuance of the royal order to allocate February 22 to celebrate the founding of the Saudi state, under the name “Foundation Day”, which includes various historical and traditional symbols associated with the glories, heroisms and nobility of the Saudi state. Where the new identity was launched under the slogan “The Day We Started”. Where the logo symbolizes many of the essential and historical meanings that have been associated with the glories, heroisms and nobility of Saudi Arabia. It also enhances the values and meanings associated with the distinguished national occasion of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and consolidates the pride of the Saudi people in the cultural and social heritage of the Kingdom. It is worth noting that the logo consists of five symbols, and each symbol symbolizes a unique cultural identity. These symbols are:

• Dates: Dates signify growth, life and generosity.
• Majlis: symbolizes social, political and religious cultural unity and harmony.
• Dates: visual identity refers to growth, life, and generosity.
• The Arabian Horse: It symbolizes equestrianism and the championships presented by the princes and founders of the Saudi state.
• Market symbol: It expresses economic mobility, diversity and its important position to open up to the world.
• A man carrying a flag in the middle of the emblem: Refers to the heroism of the men of Saudi society as they surround the flag that they protect, raise and defend.
• The phrase “foundation day – 1727 AD”: Its existence was evidence of documenting the history of the first Saudi state, in line with the objectives of the comprehensive message of the slogan and linked to the values represented by the common Saudi culture, to express the meanings of pride, enthusiasm, authenticity and cohesion, and through it expresses its association with hospitality, generosity, knowledge and science. .