There was a huge rush of citizens in all cities buying flags and green paint to decorate their cars for the occasion. A number of citizens who spoke to Al-Madinah daily were in agreement that the National Day was an occasion to express love for the country and loyalty to its leaders.

“I am a regular customer of car accessory shops during the two Eids and the National Day. I want to decorate my car for the great event,” said young Saudi Faiz Al-Thamali.

Many young men agreed with him that giving their cars a new look would provide drivers and spectators with a strong feeling of patriotism and encourage them to participate in the celebrations.

Bandar Al-Sufyani, another Saudi youth, said the prices of spray paint have gone up from SR5 to SR20 for a small bottle.

Saleh Muhammad, a salesman at a car accessory shop, said the place was overcrowded with people wishing to decorate their cars with green paint for the National Day. “The prices differ according to the car model and brand. The painting of a sedan will cost less than painting a four-wheel drive,” he said.

Another salesman noted that the rush was for green paint, car stickers, flags and slogans.

A number of citizens were keen to take their children with them when going out to bookshops or car accessory shops.

“We are determined to inculcate in the hearts and minds of our children the love for the Kingdom, its founder King Abdul Aziz and its current leaders and also to teach them the great significance of this day,” said Ahmad Al-Thibaiti, a Saudi resident of Taif. He said he was keen to take his children with him when he goes out to buy flags or stickers.

Dhaifullah Al-Talhi said every citizen would express the love for his country in his own way. “The young men wear green clothes and play national songs in the cars. The children carry the Kingdom's flags to wave all the time,” he added.

Salim Al-Himyani, who took his son with him to the stationery shop, said he was very happy when he found out that his son's school would celebrate the occasion on Sunday. “The huge crowds of parents and children in these places to buy flags and slogans is an evidence of their great love for their country and their unshakable loyalty to the leaders,” he said.

Abdullah Al-Qahtani said he came to the stationery shop to buy flags and photos of the king for his two sons to celebrate the National Day on Friday.

“Nothing can match my love for the country. This is an occasion to renew our allegiance to the leaders,” he said.

Muhammad Naji, an owner of a bookshop in Taif, said 80 percent of those who bought flags, pictures and slogans were young men and school students. He said the price of the slogans, written on cloth or card, range from SR3 to SR120.

He said the Kingdom's cities would be covered in green on the occasion.