In an air of festivity and patriotic fervor, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is celebrating the 86th anniversary of its National Day today. In an address to the nation on the occasion of the National Day, Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior, commended the safety, security and tranquility prevailing in the Kingdom as well as the development and prosperity being experienced it in all walks of life under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman. In his address titled "Homeland of unity and monotheism," the Crown Prince noted: "It is an anniversary in which everybody recalls the pioneering role of King Abdul Aziz, the founder of this great entity. On this day, we witness the fruit of the founder's great efforts to maintain security, stability, and development of the nation which occupies the center of this world and affects its security and stability by virtue of its strategic location, spiritual significance and economic status." "This enabled it to be one of the strongest economies in the world, a member of the Group of 20 with its strong influence in the world economy, determining its tracks and contributing to the solution of its problems. There is no doubt that the success of plans and efforts of development in any country depends mainly on an appropriate security environment, without which development cannot achieve its objectives," the Crown Prince stressed. Prince Muhammad Bin Naif specially noted the security, stability and prosperity being witnessed in the Kingdom at a time when a number of countries in the region are reeling under anarchy, unrest, and conflicts that put the life of their peoples in peril and leading their nations to more division and disunity. He lauded the security forces for their success in confronting terrorism at the local and international levels. [caption id="attachment_86691" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Young Saudi men participate in the National Day celebrations held in Tabuk on Thursday. — SPA photo [/caption] In his address, Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense, lauded what is being witnessed by the Kingdom of growth and prosperity under the leadership of King Salman. "What is being experienced by our country of security and stability, as well as development and prosperity, in addition to what it possesses of wealth, potentials and qualified human resources with its strategic location enables it to be in the ranks of great nations, and all this requires to deeply thank Allah Almighty for His generous bounty and grace, and invites us to maintain our gains and continue working to achieve more success and achievements." Referring to the Vision 2030, the Crown Prince and the Deputy Crown Prince said: "The Kingdom's Vision 2030, which was approved by King Salman, ushered in a new era of development and prosperous future, and the continuation of progress along with the developed countries and the achievement of the desired growth, while adhering to the fundamentals of our tolerant religion and noble values." "On this blessed anniversary, we salute our heroes who sacrifice their souls for their religion and homeland; they all deserve our greetings and appreciation, supplicating to Allah Almighty to bestow His mercy upon the martyrs' souls, and a speedy recovery for the wounded," they said, and added: "We also appeal to Allah Almighty to perpetuate His grace upon us, preserve our country from any harm, and help everyone for the good and righteousness." On the occasion of the National Day, the emirs of various provinces across the Kingdom and ministers congratulated King Salman, the Crown Prince, and the Deputy Crown Prince. In separate statements, they commended the great achievements that have been made in all spheres of life since the foundation of the Kingdom by late King Abdul Aziz and his sons, until the era of King Salman, stressing the Kingdom's continuing march with comprehensive growth and prosperity in the light of Kingdom's Vision 2030 and National Transformation Plan. They prayed to Allah Almighty to preserve the Kingdom's continuing security, stability, prosperity, further progress and development. The commanders of the armed forces greeted the King, the Crown Prince, and the Deputy Crown Prince as well as the people of the Kingdom on the occasion of the National Day. The Army's Chief of Staff Gen. Abdurahman Al-Bunyan said that the celebration of the National Day is not confined to the people of the Kingdom alone but to the people of the entire Arab and Muslim world while taking into account of the Kingdom's status as the homeland of Islam and monotheism.
