Saudi Arabia’s foundation day, the kingdom’s 300-year history is the focus of attention

The Foundation Day of Saudi Arabia is celebrated on February 22 every year. The journey of almost 300 years of history of this major country of the Islamic world has accelerated in recent years.

Accordingly, Saudi media and social media are highlighting the development journey of the kingdom.

According to the Saudi Founding Day website, the long journey of the Kingdom’s development began about 300 years ago, and the country known to the world today as Saudi Arabia, weaves its past, present and future from its glorious history. are connected

The establishment of the kingdom by Imam Muhammad bin Saud took place on February 22, 1727, in accordance with which this day is celebrated as the day of establishment, and on the occasion of the unity of Shah Abdulaziz on September 23, it was named ‘National Day’. Known from

For years, Saudi Arabia has been seen as a desert land with little recognition outside of the Muslim world because of the two holiest sites in Muslim countries and around the world, Mecca Baitullah (Masjid al-Haram) and the Mosque in Medina. Saudi Arabia was known from the days of the Prophet, but now due to the economic activities and development taking place here, this country is becoming the focus of the world’s attention.

On the occasion of Saudi Arabia’s foundation day celebrations, the Kingdom’s prosperity and its past and present development journey as well as future plans are being highlighted.

According to an article in Arab News, historians have painstakingly translated these Arabic historical memoirs, manuscripts and documents into English, revealing things that most of the rest of the world was unaware of. The idea is that it will shed light on pages of Saudi Arabia’s glorious history that were so far only available in Arabic.

These documents reveal the fascinating history of Saudi Arabia.

This month, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO approved the inclusion of three new Saudi cities in its Global Network of Learning Cities.

According to the Saudi Gazette, these three cities include Madinah, King Abdullah Economic City and Al-Ahsa Governorate, and this development is proof of the Kingdom’s efforts to cultivate not only competitive citizens on a global level, but also the sustainable development goals and Saudi Vision 2030. Also represents ambition.

Earlier, the Saudi region of Dariya was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The place is known for its charming mud-brick palaces, which reflect the kingdom’s more than 300-year-old history.

For nearly 30 years, entertainment venues, from cinemas to concert halls, remained closed across Saudi Arabia, leaving citizens and visitors with no opportunity to enjoy cultural, sporting or artistic activities. But in 2016, wide-scale social and economic reforms were launched under Vision 2030 and the establishment of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia.

After the establishment of the General Entertainment Authority, the enthusiasm of the people for entertainment in Saudi Arabia is clearly visible.

The General Entertainment Authority was established as part of Vision 2030 to transition the Saudi economy away from oil dependence so that Saudi Arabia becomes a leader in the creative, entertainment, tourism and high-tech industries.

In recent years, many festivals have been held in Riyadh, Jeddah, Eastern Province of Taif, Al-Ula, Al-Duraiya and other places where Saudi Arabia’s diverse local crafts and traditions have been showcased while also creating job opportunities for Saudi youth. are

Tourism is a sector that Saudi Arabia has been working hard to promote, especially since the launch of its Saudi e-Visa in 2019.

Saudi Arabia is expected to host 100 million tourists by 2030. Along with the magnificent resorts on the coastline, the magnificent ancient ruins, the vast desert and the adventurous activities in the lush mountains will draw them in.

Celebrating the foundation day is a tradition, under which the future generations are enlightened about the history and provide awareness about a bright future.

Foundation Day captures history and brings it to life as children and adults take pride in wearing traditional costumes on this day. In contrast, it is generally believed that the Saudi white robe was not a formal dress for men at the time. It was part of more than eight traditional costumes for men, worn in different forms depending on the climate and region.

Music and dance

According to folklore, dances are an integral part of Saudi national celebrations and traditional songs are also derived from social aspects, which are a source of pride and enthusiasm and enhance the bonds between the people.

Arda, a traditional dance with swords, stands out in this regard. In the past, men who had won wars were proudly welcomed with this dance. Arda Arqas is performed on the foundation day as well as other events to express the unity and strong relationship of Saudis.

Drinks and dishes

On this day, it is common to cook and serve traditional food and sweets across the kingdom. Traditional Saudi coffee is the special dish of the day. It is made from coffee beans roasted with saffron and cardamom and is usually served with sweets.

Join Independent Urdu’s WhatsApp channel for authentic news and current affairs analysis Here Click