Saudi Arabia: A Journey of Transformation and Stability in the Heart of the Middle East

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia designates Founding Day as a fundamental national occasion, embodying the historical beginning of the First Saudi State over three centuries ago. This commemoration transcends mere political significance, becoming a cultural and civilizational legacy reflecting the depth of Saudi history and the authenticity of its roots, affirming the strength of a steadfast national identity. The First Saudi State was founded in 1727 when Imam Mohammed bin Saud assumed rule in Diriyah, marking a new era on the Arabian Peninsula. This foundation rested on a historic alliance between Imam Mohammed bin Saud’s wise leadership and the religious

February 22 of each year marks Saudi Founding Day, a core national occasion that embodies the firm beginning of the establishment of the First Saudi State three centuries ago. This anniversary is not merely a historical event, but an expression of the depth of roots and the strength of national identity that has been shaped over a journey spanning more than 300 years, making it one of the most prominent occasions in the Saudi people’s conscience due to its deep historical, political, and cultural connotations. The Saudi Founding Day is based on a pivotal moment that represented a turning point in the history of the Arabian Peninsula, based on a historical alliance and solid reformist principles. In 1727 AD, Diriyah witnessed the birth of the First Saudi State with the rule of Imam Muhammad bin Saud. This state was established on a historical alliance that brought together the political leadership represented by Imam Muhammad bin Saud, and the religious reform led by Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab. This unique alliance combined politics and religion, forming a solid nucleus for building a unified political entity for the first time in decades of dispersion. The basic foundations of the system were laid during the era of the First Saudi State. These foundations included achieving political unity between scattered areas of the Arabian Peninsula, adopting Islamic law as the reference for governance and justice, and establishing organized administrative frameworks for state affairs. These principles established a stable model of governance that enabled the spread of security and stability, and these are the same foundations on which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is based to this day. Some confuse two pivotal national occasions in the history of the Kingdom, but each has its own historical context and distinct connotations. The Founding Day focuses on the deep historical legacy of the state. It is a celebration of the actual beginning of the establishment of the Saudi political entity in Diriyah in 1727 AD, and of embodying the first spirit of struggle and the founding sacrifices made by the ancestors to build the foundations of a strong state. The occasion recalls the glories of the distant past and affirms the continuity of the national project over the centuries. In contrast, Saudi National Day on September 23 commemorates the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in its modern form under the leadership of the founding king, Abdulaziz Al Saud, in 1932. It is a celebration of comprehensive regional unity and the transformation of the Kingdom into a unified modern state with its current borders. While the Founding Day goes back to the roots of the first establishment more than two centuries ago. The Kingdom turns into a living theater