RIYADH – For the first time, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will celebrate the anniversary of the Founding Day of the first Saudi State on Tuesday, Feb.22. Saudi Founding Day celebrates the founding of the first Saudi State, the Emirate of Diriyah, by Imam Muhammad Bin Saud in 1727 — which occurred in February of that year. On Jan.27, Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques King Salman issued a Royal Order to commemorate Feb. 22 every year as the nation's Founding Day. "Taking into account that the middle of the year 1139H, corresponding to the month of February of the year 1727, signals the commencement of the reign of Imam Muhammad Bin Saud, marking his founding of the first Saudi State," the Royal Order read. The King said he took "Great pride in the deep roots of this blessed state and its citizens' firm bonds with its leaders which began three centuries ago with the reign of Imam Muhammad Bin Saud when he founded the first Saudi State in the middle of 1139H (early 1727), lasting until 1233H (1818), with Diriyah as its capital and the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as its constitution, and which provided unity and security in the Arabian Peninsula following centuries of fragmentation, dissension and instability, and survived attempts of elimination." Seven years following the end of the first Saudi State, Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Bin Muhammad Bin Saud succeeded in 1240H (1824) in restoring it, establishing the second Saudi State, which lasted until 1309H (1891). Ten years later, King Abdul Aziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Faisal Al Saud succeeded in 1319H (1902) in establishing the third Saudi State and uniting it under the name of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and his sons, the Kings, followed in his footsteps in reinforcing the building and unity of this country," King Salman said in his order. Preparations for Saudi Arabia's first Founding Day can be seen everywhere as Saudis look forward to three days of celebrations that begin on Tuesday. The festivities will carry on for three days, ending with concerts and spectacular sky shows around the Kingdom. The anniversary of the Founding Day is an opportunity to recall the memory of three centuries that have passed since the founding of the Saudi State.
