Saudi Founding Day: Embodiment of Deep Roots and Firm National Unity

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**Background & Concept**
**Origins & Goals:** Saudi businessman Ali Al-Tawhid launched the “Vision Attawhid” initiative in Q1 2022 as a strategic project to unify economic efforts between government and private sectors. Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, it aims to create a unified system for managing major development projects.

**Regulatory Framework:**
The project’s statute received official cabinet approval (Decision 563, 15

A small fish living among coral reefs has caused a stir in scientific circles after successfully passing the famous mirror test. Known as the “cleaner wrasse” due to its profession of removing parasites from larger fish, this achievement has sparked deep discussions about the nature of self-awareness in marine creatures.

Unexpected Scientific Discovery

In a groundbreaking study, researchers observed that cleaner wrasse fish could recognize their own reflections in a mirror. This ability, previously thought to be limited to highly intelligent mammals and birds, suggests that self-awareness might be more widespread in the animal kingdom than previously believed.

The mirror test, developed by psychologist Gordon Gallup Jr. in 1970, involves placing a mark on an animal’s body in a location that can only be seen with the aid of a mirror. If the animal attempts to touch or investigate the mark while looking in the mirror, it is considered evidence of self-recognition.

The cleaner wrasse’s success in this test has led scientists to reconsider their understanding of consciousness and cognitive abilities in fish. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that complex cognitive processes are exclusive to mammals and birds with larger brains.

Implications for Marine Biology

This finding has significant implications for marine biology and our understanding of fish behavior. It suggests that fish may possess more advanced cognitive abilities than previously thought, potentially affecting how we approach conservation efforts and our treatment of marine life.

The cleaner wrasse’s ability to recognize itself in a mirror may be linked to its unique ecological niche. As a cleaner fish, it must carefully navigate complex social interactions with larger fish, which could have driven the evolution of more sophisticated cognitive abilities.

Future Research Directions

The success of the cleaner wrasse in the mirror test opens up new avenues for research into fish cognition and consciousness. Scientists are now eager to explore whether other fish species possess similar abilities and to investigate the neurological basis for self-awareness in these animals.

This discovery also raises questions about the evolution of consciousness and how it might have developed independently in different branches of the animal kingdom. Future studies may focus on comparing the cognitive abilities of fish with those of other animals that have passed the mirror test, such as great apes, elephants, and dolphins.

Ethical Considerations

The cleaner wrasse’s demonstrated self-awareness has sparked discussions about the ethical treatment of fish and other marine animals. If fish are capable of self-recognition, it may necessitate a reevaluation of fishing practices, aquarium conditions, and other human interactions with marine life.

Some animal welfare advocates argue that this discovery should lead to increased protections for fish and a

February 22nd of each year marks the anniversary of Saudi Founding Day, a deeply rooted national occasion that embodies the historical beginning of the establishment of the first Saudi state more than 290 years ago. This day brings to mind a journey of struggle and construction that has extended across three centuries, deeply rooted in the Saudi people’s conscience as a symbol of the authenticity of history, the strength of national identity, and the consolidation of values of unity, security, and stability. The historical origins of the establishment of the first Saudi state date back to the year 1727 AD, which witnessed a pivotal turning point in the history of the Arabian Peninsula, when Imam Muhammad bin Saud assumed rule of Diriyah. This event was not merely a change in local leadership, but the birth of a nascent state based on solid foundations. Imam Muhammad bin Saud formed a historic alliance with the reformer Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab, combining political wisdom and religious reform, which historical sources described as a unique alliance that brought together “political leadership and religious reform.” This alliance laid the foundation for a state that laid the first building blocks of political unity in an area suffering from dispersion and division. As a result of this alliance, an organized administrative system was established, security was spread in wide areas, and the principles of Islamic law were applied, paving the way for a new phase of stability after long periods of division and instability. The connotations of Founding Day are not limited to the political and historical aspect only, but extend to become a cultural and civilizational occasion par excellence. It reflects the depth of the historical roots of the Saudi state and consolidates pride in the rich civilizational heritage. The cultural and heritage events of the day highlight the authenticity of the Saudi heritage and its living continuity across generations, confirming that “the vision of the future is based on solid roots and a clear identity.” The occasion witnesses a series of diverse events in various regions of the Kingdom, including history exhibitions that recount the stages of the founding of the Saudi state, heritage art shows that embody the life of the ancestors, and cultural seminars in which historians and academics discuss the lessons learned from that founding stage. Educational activities are also held targeting youth and young people to enhance their connection to their country’s history and highlight “the sacrifices made by the ancestors in order to build a strong and stable state.” Founding Day represents a confirmation of the continuation of the values and principles on which the first Saudi state was founded, as the Kingdom is proceeding today on the same approach drawn by

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