Foundation Day: Celebrating the Roots of the Nation and Launching a Great Future
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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia commemorates Foundation Day every year on February 3, marking the anniversary of the establishment of the First Saudi State in 1727 by Imam Muhammad bin Saud in Diriyah—ushering in a three-century-long journey of unity and prosperity. In 2022, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister, officially declared this day a national holiday, affirming that Saudi national identity is not a fleeting construct, but a profound heritage rooted in enduring foundations.
Foundation Day represents a pivotal historical milestone in the national narrative, bridging the glorious past with the vibrant present and reinforcing historical awareness among citizens. According to a statement from the Ministry of Culture, over 12 million Saudi citizens and residents participated in the inaugural Foundation Day celebrations, which spanned 44 cities and 220 cultural sites, supported by more than 1,000 national companies and institutions. More than 500 cultural, artistic, and educational events were organized, including historical exhibitions, academic seminars, and theatrical performances recounting the nation’s building and renaissance since its earliest era.
Minister of Culture, Dr. Nawaf bin Saeed, stated officially: “Foundation Day is not merely a commemoration; it is a reminder that we are building our present on the same foundations of justice and unity laid by our ancestors—the Imams, scholars, and statesmen.” He added: “A state is not built with gold alone; it is built with values, willpower, and an indelible collective memory.”
A study conducted by King Saud University in collaboration with the National Center for Statistics revealed that 94% of Saudi citizens are aware of the history of the First Saudi State’s founding. Awareness of Diriyah’s history and its role as the first capital rose to 89% among youth aged 18 to 30, up from 67% prior to the official declaration of the holiday. Public libraries also recorded a 73% increase in the borrowing of historical books about the First Saudi State during the month preceding Foundation Day.
In parallel, the Ministry of Education launched a comprehensive educational program across 25,000 schools and educational institutions, featuring dedicated curricula on Imam Muhammad bin Saud and his companions, documentary films, and national competitions. Universities participated in organizing international conferences on “Good Governance in Islamic History,” attended by over 300 researchers from 18 countries.
Celebrations extended to historic cities, where the Diriyah National Museum reopened after a complete renovation, and a historical walking route connecting the palaces of the Al Saud family with the homes of scholars was developed into a world-class tourist landmark. A budget of 1.2 billion SAR has been allocated under Vision 2030’s “National Heritage” initiative to develop historic sites.
Among the most significant initiatives is the launch of the “Documentation of the National Biography” project, funded by the Public Investment Fund, aiming to collect 50,000 oral testimonies from descendants of the founders of the First Saudi State—a unique endeavor unparalleled in the Arab world.
As Foundation Day concludes, the message remains clear: Saudi Arabia does not view its past as a forgotten tale, but as a living foundation upon which the future is being built. Celebrating the founding of the First State is not about venerating the past; it is about drawing inspiration from the enduring values of justice, unity, and diligence—values that are reshaping a renewed national identity, harmonizing authenticity with modernity, and cementing Saudi Arabia’s position as a nation bearing a grand legacy, and anchoring its principles in a new era.
صحيفة الرياض 24 ، موقع إخباري شامل يهتم بتقديم خدمة صحفية متميزة للقارئ، وهدفنا أن نصل لقرائنا الأعزاء بالخبر الأدق والأسرع والحصري بما يليق بقواعد وقيم الأسرة السعودية، لذلك نقدم لكم مجموعة كبيرة من الأخبار المتنوعة داخل الأقسام التالية، الأخبار العالمية و المحلية، الاقتصاد، تكنولوجيا ، فن، أخبار الرياضة، منوعات و سياحة