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What Do We Know About the First Celebration of Saudi National Day?

The Abu Hijara Palace in the Taif Governorate (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Abu Hijara Palace in the Taif Governorate (Asharq Al-Awsat)
    Riyadh - Ghazi al-Harthi
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What Do We Know About the First Celebration of Saudi National Day?

The Abu Hijara Palace in the Taif Governorate (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Abu Hijara Palace in the Taif Governorate (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia celebrates this Friday its 92nd National Day, more than 9 decades after the unification of the Third Saudi State by the founding King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud.

The third king of the country, King Faisal bin Abdulaziz, issued a royal decree in Aug. 1965, stipulating that Saudi Arabia’s National Day be celebrated on the first day of al-Mizan at the beginning of the solar Hijri year, which falls on Sept. 23.

But the celebration of the Saudi National Day was known to have taken place on previous times after the unification of the country.

The 1932 Celebration

According to the Kingdom Heritage website of the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, the first celebration of the National Day of Saudi Arabia took place during the reign of King Abdulaziz, at the Abu Hijara Palace in the Taif Governorate, in the west of the country.

The national celebration was held in 1932, on the occasion of the famous royal declaration, which was read by then-Viceroy of Hejaz, Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz, announcing that the Kingdom of Hejaz, Najd and its annexes become the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Disagreement over the location of the first celebration

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Researcher and Writer Hammad Al-Salmi approved the version that says that the first celebration of the National Day took place in the Taif region, but reflected on the exact location of the event, saying: “Directives were issued to the princes of the regions to celebrate the National Day after King Abdulaziz announced the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the year 1352 AH while he was in Riyadh.”

He continued: “The ceremony of the Emirate of Makkah Al-Mukarramah was held under the patronage of Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy King of the Hejaz, at the Emirate’s Palace in Makkah, and the ceremony of the Emirate of Taif was held at the Emirate’s headquarters inside Taif.”

Al-Salmi disapproved the claim that the first celebration of the National Day was held in the Abu Hijara Palace in Taif, referring to a speech by Prince Talal, son of King Abdulaziz.

“When Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz honored me with a visit to the Al-Salmi Cultural Forum and as we accompanied him to the airport on his way back to Riyadh… One of the people claimed that King Abdulaziz celebrated the National Day in Abu Hijara... Prince Talal intervened and said firmly that this was a lie… as King Abdulaziz has never come to these mountains…” he recounted.

First National Holiday

In 2005, an exceptional three-day holiday was approved in Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the 75th National Day. According to various sources, this date marked the first official holiday in the country’s history.

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Gulf

Iranian Attacks on Gulf Intensify, Kuwait Bears Brunt

Smoke rises near Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot. (File photo/AFP)
Smoke rises near Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot. (File photo/AFP)
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Iranian Attacks on Gulf Intensify, Kuwait Bears Brunt

Smoke rises near Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot. (File photo/AFP)
Smoke rises near Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot. (File photo/AFP)

Iranian attacks on Gulf states have intensified sharply in recent days, with Kuwait bearing the brunt as fighting between the United States and Iran resumed and tensions rose in the Strait of Hormuz.

From the renewed escalation last Wednesday through early Thursday, Kuwaiti forces detected about 77 hostile drones and 18 missiles in the country’s airspace, according to an Asharq Al-Awsat tally.

The missiles included eight ballistic missiles and 10 cruise missiles. Kuwaiti forces intercepted or otherwise dealt with the threats.

The latest attacks stood out for causing casualties and damage.

Kuwait said several Iranian strikes targeted vital facilities and scattered debris across multiple locations, causing material damage and injuring six people, including four members of the Kuwaiti armed forces.

Three land border posts in northern Kuwait were also attacked, causing further damage and one injury.

Kuwaiti Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Al-Sabah checks on the health condition of those injured as a result of the Iranian aggression. KUNA

Kuwait’s consulate general in the southern Iraqi city of Basra was targeted again on Monday.

Kuwait condemned the attack and acknowledged the Iraqi government’s efforts to confront such incidents. It also called for “immediate and decisive” action to hold those responsible accountable and prevent a recurrence.

The continued attacks drew broad condemnation and expressions of solidarity from Gulf states.

Calls to strike back at launch sites

Academic and political researcher Ayed al-Manaa said Gulf Cooperation Council states should prepare for further Iranian retaliation following US attacks.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, al-Manaa urged Gulf states to respond to the sources of fire rather than remain on the defensive.

He said the escalation showed that Tehran had gone too far, particularly during the 40-day war.

Iran, he added, could retaliate against nearby US forces or Israel instead of targeting Gulf states.

Al-Manaa said Iran’s conduct reflected a lack of respect for Gulf sovereignty and a disregard for fraternal ties, neighborly relations and shared religious bonds.

Gulf states are peaceful countries that maintain normal relations, trade and neighborly ties with Iran, he said.

Tehran had treated that position with disdain, he added, making it necessary for Gulf states to raise their level of readiness and prepare to confront and respond to further attacks.

Fragile truce, vague memorandum

Political analyst Khaled al-Habbas said the renewed fighting between Washington and Tehran, and the failure of the ceasefire to hold, showed that the memorandum of understanding reached in mid-June was broad and highly ambiguous.

He said the uncertainty was most evident in provisions dealing with the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions on Tehran and its frozen assets.

Al-Habbas said other factors were also driving the crisis.

These included “the deep hostility and mistrust between the two sides, the aggressive nature of the Iranian regime and the sharp divisions between hardline leaders within the Revolutionary Guards and other officials who support negotiations with the United States.”

Doubts over Iran’s commitment to a deal

“The continuation of Iranian aggression against some Gulf states, alongside attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, indicates that the Iranian side is not serious about reaching a final agreement,” al-Habbas said.

He said the negotiations also faced major obstacles, while the ceasefire remained fragile.

Tension and instability would therefore continue to define the regional landscape for now, he added.

Al-Habbas did not rule out further exchanges of military action in the region, although he said both sides appeared keen to avoid a return to full-scale war.

“The danger remains, however, and all possibilities are still open. This is why Gulf states are following these developments with concern,” he said.

He praised Gulf states for successfully confronting Iranian attacks while continuing to support diplomatic efforts to prevent a return to war and the risks it would pose to the region.

Al-Habbas called for greater regional and international diplomatic pressure on Iran to isolate it politically and expose what he described as its aggression.

He said Iran should be held responsible for the damage caused by “this blatant aggression,” while Gulf states retained the right to defend themselves at a time and place of their choosing.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia: Iranian Attacks on Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan Threaten Regional Security

Kuwait City. (KUNA)
Kuwait City. (KUNA)
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Saudi Arabia: Iranian Attacks on Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan Threaten Regional Security

Kuwait City. (KUNA)
Kuwait City. (KUNA)

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned Iran's continued "unjustified attacks" on Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, reaffirming its full support for the measures taken by the three countries in response to what it described as Iran's blatant attacks.

Kuwaiti civil defense personnel work to contain a fire at Kuwait International Airport following the Iranian attack on fuel storage tanks. (File photo: KUNA)

In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its condemnation of what it described as Iran's actions threatening regional security and stability and violating the principles of international law and good-neighborliness.

It stressed the importance of an immediate halt to all forms of military escalation and called for a return to dialogue and the resolution of disputes through diplomatic means.

Gulf

Saudi Minister of Defense Offers Condolences to Emir of Qatar

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani - AAWSAT
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani - AAWSAT
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Saudi Minister of Defense Offers Condolences to Emir of Qatar

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani - AAWSAT
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani - AAWSAT

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz made a phone call on Thursday to Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

During the call, the minister expressed his condolences and sympathy to the amir over the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.