Days of goodness and prosperity pass by in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and its people praise their Lord with the Almighty’s saying, “If you are grateful, I will increase for you.” Among the most important days of happiness in the Kingdom are the Saudi National Founding Day and the Saudi National Day. For those who are not well-versed in the ancient history of the Kingdom, the distinction between the National Founding Day and the National Day in Saudi Arabia can be confusing. Therefore, we have dedicated our article today to researching this date and elucidating the fundamental differences between the two days, particularly in terms of slogans and celebration manifestations, with the aim of strengthening the individual’s connection to his homeland. We aim to enlighten him about the genuine worth of this nation.
What is Saudi National Founding Day?
Saudi Founding Day falls on February 22 of each year, dating back to February 1727, corresponding to the Hijri year 1139. This year, Saudi Arabia experienced its first independence. During this period, Saudi Arabia established itself as a unified and integrated state. It was a beacon of light and knowledge amid the darkness of colonialism and ignorance that most of the surrounding countries were experiencing.
This day marks the establishment of the first Saudi state. This happened in 1727 at the hands of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Al Muqrin, who was then Prince of Diriyah, where he cooperated with Sheikh Muhammad Abdul Wahhab in an agreement later known as the Diriyah Charter. The agreement stipulated that Saudi Arabia is an independent state, its capital is Diriyah, its constitution is the law of God Almighty, and its role is to reform as God commanded, stay away from immorality and disbelief, and not allow it on its land. Saudi Arabia has adopted the Holy Qur’an as its constitution in order to implement and spread Islam’s provisions. Accordingly, all of the Arabian Peninsula’s lands were united under this banner, and it became a safe region governed by what God Almighty revealed.
In 2022, a royal decree established February 22 as the annual founding day of the Saudi state. Every year, celebrations and activities are held to renew the basic pillars on which the Saudi state was founded, honour its men who made it a beacon for the world, and remind people that the caliphate of man on earth was only for the worship of God and its building.
What is Saudi National Day?
It falls on September 23 every year, the day the Kingdom was united again after its disintegration due to the hostile campaigns of the Ottoman Caliphate. King Abdulaziz bin Al Saud did this—may God have mercy on him—on September 23, 1932, corresponding to Jumada al-Awwal 21, 1351, and this day has been celebrated annually since His Majesty the King took this action.
On this day, the Saudi people learn about the works of their venerable king, celebrate his achievements, and recall memories of when the king used to meet with the leaders of the major tribes in the lands of the Arabian Peninsula to unify the kingdom again and bring it to the position it deserves. Thus, its people commemorate the great history of an ancient and established country, and their celebrations are full of charitable works, showing appreciation for the homeland’s soil, pride in its culture, renewing awareness of its value, and preparing to die in defense of its pure land.
Multiple slogans characterise National Day, each aiming to instil a specific national value in generations, especially new ones. People also go out to celebrate entertainment shows, exhibitions, and cultural tours throughout the Kingdom. In addition to providing discounts and facilities to give citizens the maximum amount of happiness during this exceptional day, this day has become an official holiday for all business sectors since 1425 AH, corresponding to 2005 AD, with an emphasis on citizens benefiting from the leave and compensating it if it coincides with another holiday.
What is the difference between National Founding Day and National Day in Saudi Arabia?
The difference between Founding Day and National Day in Saudi Arabia is wider than just one or two differences. Although both days are holidays and are among the days that fill the heart of every Saudi with pride in their country and pride in their religion, the most important differences between the two days are as follows:
| Comparison | Saudi National Founding Day | Saudi National Day |
| founder | Prince Muhammad bin Saud al-Muqrin. | King Abdulaziz bin Al Saud. |
| Gregorian date | · The founding occurred on February 22, 1727. · The day has been celebrated since February 22, 2022. | · The founding occurred on September 23, 1932. · The day has been celebrated ever since. |
| Hijri date | It happened in 1139 AH. | 21 Jumada Al-Awwal, 1351 AH. |
| the reason | Prince Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz united with Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab to unify the lands of the Arabian Peninsula under one banner and establish a state that bore the name Saudi Arabia. | Reuniting the tribes of the Arabian Peninsula under the name of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia instead of the name of the Kingdom of Najd or the Kingdom of Hijaz. |
| Kingdom name | The first Saudi state. | Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. |
| The capital of the country | Diriyah. | Riyadh. |
The difference between the National Founding Day and the National Day in Saudi Arabia in terms of goals
Although there is no conflict between the two days, they were milestones in the history of our beloved Kingdom, and the objectives of celebrating each of the two days can be defined as follows:
Saudi National Founding Day
This day was designated to be celebrated for several basic objectives, which are as follows:
- Developing the connection between new generations and their ancient roots.
- Celebrating the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s adherence to the religion of Islam and renewing vows to preserve the purest parts of the earth.
- Strengthening the ties between citizens and each other and directing actors to care for the groups most in need.
- Introducing children to their country’s history and generating a sense of citizenship and belonging in their hearts.
- Appreciate the position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia among its neighbors and understand the importance of its role as a country that embraces the Two Holy Mosques.
Saudi National Day
It is important to participate in the celebrations of this day and benefit from the activities and events available on it to achieve the following goals:
- Celebrating memories and appreciating the efforts of Saudi kings to preserve their land and heritage.
- Uniting all groups and sects of people and bringing them together on one cause that brings happiness.
- Spreading patriotism and nationalism among the people and transferring those values to children.
- Remember Saudi Arabia’s position among countries and how it remained a source of knowledge and power throughout its reign in implementing the provisions of Islam.
- Spreading joy and hope among people, appreciating their feelings, and responding to them with appropriate activities and correct decisions.
The difference between National Foundation Day and National Day in Saudi Arabia in terms of the slogan
The Saudi National Founding Day logos differ from the logos for the Saudi National Day in terms of the design of the logo, its colors, and its position in the flag, in addition to the differences in visual identity between the two logos. We will explain this to you in more detail below:
| Comparison | The Saudi national Founding Day slogan | Saudi National Day’s slogan |
| slogan colors | It is only permitted to be colored in one of the following colors: · black. · White. · beige. · Brown. | Its colors change year after year, as do its verbal slogans, but it includes a basic design with the phrase “We Dream and Achieve,” which inspires the people of the Kingdom to provide everything that benefits their country. |
| slogan elements | It consists of five elements, which are: · flag. · dates. · market. · the Council. · Saudi horses. | It is renewed yearly and adopts an artistic slogan that often contains a map of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a sentence quoted from the heritage. The colors of the slogan are taken from the nature of the Kingdom’s lands, including the terrain, valleys, confidence, energy, and hope in the souls of its people, and other connotations. |
| Where to use the slogan | It can only be placed in specific places on the pages or background that carry it, and these places are: · Top left. · Top right. · Top interface in the middle. · In the middle of the background. · The use of the slogan below is absolutely not permitted. · It is not allowed to be added to other hair of the same size. Rather, the National Foundation Day slogan must be 20% larger. | · Placed to the right when used digitally, and not otherwise available in any digital file. · If its background is a printed design, it is used on the right or center. · If another design is used at the top right of the design with the addition of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 slogan, the National Day logo should be 20% larger than the vision slogan. · If there are any other logos, they are added to the left or at the bottom, implementing the size difference between the National Day slogan and other slogans. |
The difference between the day of the National Foundation and the National Day in Saudi Arabia in terms of celebrations
There are slight differences in the manifestations of celebrations between the two days, but they are not fundamentally different.
National Founding Day
- Wearing national clothes and wandering on the streets.
- Transfer to parks and gardens and enjoy the artistic performances in them.
- Attending historical and educational activities in exhibitions and museums.
- The firing of fireworks in the colors of the Saudi flag.
- Horse riding and enjoying hiking in wide lands.
Saudi National Day
- All state employees enjoy paid vacations, regardless of their sector.
- Some citizens receive cash and in-kind gifts with some decisions that make their lives easier.
- Raising flags in homes and streets to spread joy and pride.
- Wearing clothes bearing the logo of the National Day and linked to Saudi heritage.
- Exchanging gentle words and phrases between people and chanting them in the streets to rejoice in citizens.
Conclusion
The difference between the National Founding Day and the National Day in Saudi Arabia is not fundamental. However, each day has a special impact on the hearts of the people of the Kingdom, as it is the house that embraces them and the mother with whom feelings of pride, love, and hope exchange. So it was necessary to introduce every person to the heritage of his country and history through the celebration of those days and to achieve the goal of these celebrations and benefit from commercial offers, whether in commercial centers, online stores, or even in advanced accounting systems that provide you with excellent plans and various offers for your company’s customers to benefit from during those days. Take your chance to try Qoyod for free for two weeks, and plan for the best vacation that makes you happy and gives you the friendship of your customers and their affiliation.
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