82nd Saudi Arabia National Day

Today marks the 82^nd commemoration of the Saudi Arabia National Day (Al-Yaoum-al-Watany). This is the day when late King Abdul Aziz bin Saud via royal decree on September 23, 1932, declared the unification of four (4) regions namely Hejaz, Najd, Al Hasa (Eastern part) and Asir (Southern part)  and be called the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

It is said that the kingdom’s national day was not celebrated as holiday before by their countrymen until King Abdullah declared it a day for celebration and recognition in 2005. Biggest events and activities are centered and usually held in its largest capital city, Riyadh, and some other main cities of the kingdom. The celebration is not as the same as what we observed or we experienced to some other western or democratic countries because it is still in accordance to the rules and regulations of Islamic religion. However, the holiday could still be enjoyed by anyone as specific shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, and malls offer significant discounts to its customers. Though there are no musical concerts or public entertainments in the streets, a firework display is held at night.

However, in my present workplace which is in the northern border of the kingdom, the holiday is least felt and celebrated. Saudi people of this area treated the day just like as an ordinary day. I saw some locals along the streets driving their cars with their green flag on it, some are waving it, and some don’t care at all. There were no such big events here just like what happens to large cities maybe because the people here are not yet used in celebrating their founding anniversary. I guess the people here are much more excited in observing Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha. Anyways, though my day for the kingdom’s founding anniversary is so different to what I experienced in the Philippines, still I’m so very thankful from the kingdom for giving me, as an expat worker, a safe and secure place to work and live in. In behalf of my fellow Filipinos, I gratefully congratulates them on the occasion of the kingdom’s 82^nd founding anniversary. Happy National Day KSA!