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Royal Order: Saudi Arabia to Commemorate February 22 as Founding Day

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman - SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman - SPA
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Royal Order: Saudi Arabia to Commemorate February 22 as Founding Day

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman - SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman - SPA

Saudi Arabia will commemorate February 22 every year as the nation’s Founding Day, according to a Royal Order issued on Thursday.

Issuing the Royal Order, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman also said February 22 shall be an official holiday in the country.

“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, we, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, have decreed the following:

“First: The 22nd day of the month of February of every year shall be designated to mark the commemoration of the founding of the Saudi state under the name ‘Founding Day’, and shall be an official holiday.

“Second: This Decree shall be communicated to the relevant entities for adoption and implementation,” the order read.

"Taking 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 Quran 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,” said King Salman.

"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 Abdulaziz 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,” the King added in his order.

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Gulf

Bahrain Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia, Urges Decisive Security Council Measures

A view of Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
A view of Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
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Bahrain Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia, Urges Decisive Security Council Measures

A view of Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
A view of Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)

Bahrain strongly condemned on Wednesday continued attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist militia on civilian, economic, and vital facilities in Saudi Arabia.

A Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement denounced the militia's missile and drone launches toward Riyadh, Dhahran, Khamis Mushait and other areas, describing them as “a dangerous escalation, a flagrant violation of international law, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter, and a threat to civilian lives and regional security and stability.”

The ministry reaffirmed Bahrain's “full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its full support for all measures that Saudi Arabia takes to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability and protect citizens and residents.”

Bahrain underscored Saudi Arabia's inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations.

It stressed that Saudi Arabia's security and stability are integral to Bahrain's security and that of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

The statement reiterated Bahrain's call for the United Nations Security Council to take decisive measures to halt repeated Houthi terrorist attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects in Saudi Arabia, hold those responsible and their supporters accountable.

It urged it to ensure the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, thereby protecting civilians, ensuring the safety and security of air and maritime navigation, safeguarding energy supplies and global trade, and preserving regional and international peace and security.

Gulf

Saudi FM Receives Phone Call from Italian Counterpart Condemning Houthi Attacks on Kingdom

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi FM Receives Phone Call from Italian Counterpart Condemning Houthi Attacks on Kingdom

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Wednesday a telephone call from his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani, who expressed his country's condemnation of the brutal Houthi attacks against the Kingdom.

He underlined Italy's solidarity with the Kingdom and support for the measures it takes to safeguard its security.

He also underscored his country's gratitude to the Saudi authorities for their efforts to ensure the safety of residents in the Kingdom, including Italian nationals.

The FMs discussed regional and international developments and efforts to ensure the safety and freedom of maritime navigation through the Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb Straits, facilitating the smooth flow of international trade and preserving regional security and stability.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Condemns Colombia’s Opening of Embassy in Jerusalem

Diplomats watch regards from Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella (on screen) during a ceremony marking the opening of Colombia's new embassy in Jerusalem, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, Israel, 14 October 2026. (EPA)
Diplomats watch regards from Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella (on screen) during a ceremony marking the opening of Colombia's new embassy in Jerusalem, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, Israel, 14 October 2026. (EPA)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Colombia’s Opening of Embassy in Jerusalem

Diplomats watch regards from Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella (on screen) during a ceremony marking the opening of Colombia's new embassy in Jerusalem, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, Israel, 14 October 2026. (EPA)
Diplomats watch regards from Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella (on screen) during a ceremony marking the opening of Colombia's new embassy in Jerusalem, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, Israel, 14 October 2026. (EPA)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Wednesday Colombia’s opening of its embassy in Jerusalem.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement said the Kingdom deemed the move “a flagrant violation of international law and relevant international legitimacy resolutions and a direct infringement of the legal and historical status of the occupied city.”

“The Kingdom stresses that this step contradicts the established international position regarding the legal and historical status of Jerusalem,” it added.

“It reiterates its call to the international community, including the UN Security Council and all concerned parties, to uphold their legal and moral responsibilities and to take urgent action to halt the illegal Israeli policies aimed at imposing a new reality by force and undermining prospects for achieving a just and lasting peace,” it said.

The Arab League also condemned Colombia’s move, describing it as a violation of relevant international resolutions. It said the move disregards the legal and political status of East Jerusalem, which is part of the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 and the capital of the State of Palestine. 

It warned of the repercussions of the move, which was taken despite repeated warnings and communications with the Colombian side.  

The decision runs counter to the international consensus on Jerusalem and infringes upon the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, it added. 

The legal status of Jerusalem cannot be altered through unilateral measures or diplomatic decisions that violate international law, it declared. 

It cited UN Security Council Resolution 478, which rejected measures aimed at altering the character and status of Jerusalem and called on states to withdraw their diplomatic missions from the city.  

It also cited Resolution 2334, which affirmed that changes to the June 4, 1967 borders, including those concerning Jerusalem, would not be recognized unless agreed upon by the parties through negotiations. 

The Arab League stressed that relevant international resolutions, including those of the UN General Assembly, form the basis for addressing the issue of Jerusalem.  

“Unilateral measures affecting the city's legal or political status undermine peace efforts and weaken prospects for a just and lasting settlement based on the two-state solution,” it warned. 

The Arab League called on Colombia to reconsider and reverse its decision and adhere to the principles of the UN Charter, international law, and relevant international resolutions. It emphasized that respecting Jerusalem's legal status is an international responsibility and that unilateral measures serve neither peace nor stability.