Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has ordered that March 11 of every year to be celebrated as National Flag Day to honor the Kingdom’s national banner and its great role in the identity and symbolism of the state.
King Abdulaziz had approved the flag’s design on March 11, 1937.
Flags usually denote symbols and references to something of great value and special meaning. They are carried by soldiers at battlefronts and in parades, as well as hoisted over government institutions during holidays and events.
Late researcher and historian Abd al-Rahman bin Suleiman al-Ruwaished, in a book titled “History of the Saudi Flag - Flags, Medals, and National Emblems,” pointed out that the Saudi flag had been developed over time until a final design was adopted at the end of the era of King Abdulaziz.
Ultimately, Saudi Arabia chose a green flag featuring in white an Arabic inscription and a sword. The inscription is the Islamic creed, or shahada: “There is no deity but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God.”
Local history on the Saudi flag in the first Saudi state did not describe the dimensions and measurements of the banner. But, al-Ruwaished turned to trustworthy centenarians who lived through a generation that witnessed the flag of the first Saudi state.
Those cited by al-Ruwaished included Prince Musaed bin Abdul Rahman, Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Latif Al Sheikh, Sheikh Muhammad bin Saleh bin Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman bin Obeikan, Abdullah bin Ibrahim bin Abdul Latif Al Sheikh and Abdullah bin Muhammad Obeikan Al Imran.
They had all agreed that the flag in the first Saudi state was a green one with the shahada inscribed on it. The flag used to be attached to simple masts.
The old flag’s design remained throughout the eras of the first founder, Imam Muhammad bin Saud, his son, Imam Abdulaziz bin Muhammad, and his son, the great conqueror, Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz, known as Saud Al Kabeer, and his son Abdullah bin Saud.
It should be noted that the first banner of jihad in the first Saudi era was raised in 1744. The flag was raised against all who were hostile to the people of monotheism.
For his part, the journalist and historical researcher Adnan Al-Tarif mentioned that King Abdulaziz, at the beginning of the establishment stage of the third Saudi state, utilized the flag used in the first and second Saudi states, and directed in 1902 to introduce changes to the flag.
