Expats join celebrations with strong gratitude

Expatriates across Saudi Arabia have shown appreciation to the most anticipated and significant event in the Kingdom — the Saudi National Day.
“Saudi National Day is the designated date that marks the nationhood and independence of Saudi Arabia,” Badriah Almuzaini, principal of Tiny Tots International School, told Arab News.
“We celebrate it every year and I am very much looking forward to this year’s celebration,” she added.
Thara Karthik, 38, an Indian expatriate working as a kindergarten teacher at the same school, stated that she understands the essence of the event even though she is not of Saudi blood.
“Although I am not a Saudi national, I know for a fact that Saudis celebrate it to commemorate the unification of their homeland as a whole,” she said.
“I am impressed by the way the Saudis celebrate it because they showcase their unity and patriotic spirit during the event,” Karthik added.
The Saudi National Day is celebrated on September 23 to commemorate the unification of the Kingdom after a hard fought battle spearheaded by its founder and first king, King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al-Saud (May his soul rest in peace).
According to historical texts, King Abdul Aziz began conquering Saudi Arabia in 1902 and became successful in doing so.
He later on, issued a royal decree on Sept. 18, 1932 (17th of Jomada Al-oula 1351) declaring the unification of the whole Kingdom and named it Saudi Arabia on Sept. 23, 1932.
Today, Saudis celebrate the event by conducting various activities that showcases their nationalism. Among them are parades, culture exhibitions, and fun fares among others.
Some expatriates said that the Saudi National Day festivities is comparable to their homeland’s celebration.
Eugenio Pastoral II, a Filipino student in Second Philippine International School, compared Saudi National Day to Philippines’ Independence Day celebration.
“I saw a lot of people walking in the streets of Riyadh dressed in their traditional clothes or wearing green last Saudi National day. That aspect is similar to the Philippines’ Independence Day celebration because we also conduct parades dressed in our traditional attires and have lots of fun while showing our pride as Filipinos,” Pastoral said.
Pastoral added that in Philippine schools, officials always conduct culture and heritage-based activities during the country’s national day celebration, which is the same as in Saudi Arabia.
A South African teacher in an international school in Riyadh also said that Saudi National day reminded her of their own national day celebration in South Africa.
“It does remind me of our national day celebration at home where we also showcase our culture and heritage openly,” she said.
“There are no major differences besides the national color but the essence of being proud of one’s nationality during that day is what makes it similar to ours,” she added.
In India, Karthik said people celebrate their national day with enthusiasm and optimism which she thought is similar to the celebration in Saudi Arabia.
“Whenever I witness the enthusiasm and happiness of Saudi nationals during National Day, I can’t help but remember my hometown and how we celebrate in India.”
An American expatriate, on the other hand, said that it is “quite different” from their national day celebration in the US but the “get together” and the “unity” part is very much the same.
“In the US, we celebrate our National day in private. Relatives and friends come over to grill some meat and eat together,” she said.
“We celebrate National Day by enjoying each other’s company and launching some fireworks in the skies,” she added.
Lara O., a Canadian expatriate, agreed and said that it was also different in Canada.
“National day celebrations are Canada is quieter compared to the Kingdom because I think that there are more people in Saudi Arabia compared to our country therefore, more participants,” Lara said.
“Saudis are very energetic and happy during the two National Day celebrations that I have witnessed in my stay here,” she added.
Perhaps one of the most notable changes occurring every Saudi National Day may be the prevailing number of the green color all over the Kingdom — major roads in Riyadh are decorated with a fleet of the Kingdom’s flag as well as other green-colored decorations, Saudi nationals dress green during their parades, broadsheets releasing special issues with green headers, and even major buildings in the capital either displaying a green banner or illuminating green light in the case of Al-Mamlakah Kingdom Tower and the Al-Faisaliah tower in Riyadh.
It is as such because it is the color of Saudi Arabia’s national flag and can be considered as the Kingdom’s national color.
The color green symbolizes Islam, the religion of the Kingdom, while the white sword represents King Abdulaziz and the House of Saud, the founders of the Kingdom. The Arabic text is translated as: “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of God,” symbolizing the faith and dedication of the Saudis to Islam.
“This is what I always witness every Saudi National Day; Saudis proudly waving and displaying their national flag during parades and in the main roads in Riyadh,” Pastoral said.
“And what is good about it is after their parade, they don’t leave Saudi flags in the streets. They are very tidy,” he added.
Other expatriates told Arab News that they mark Saudi National Day celebrations every year and always make sure that they have time to witness it because of various reasons.
Among the top reasons may be the fireworks usually done during night time of the celebration.
An American working in a prestigious company in Riyadh said she witnessed Saudi National Day parades and celebrations during her stay in the Kingdom, but for her nothing beats the colorful display of fireworks.
“It is nice to see Saudis cooperating with each other and having tons of fun every time they celebrate their national day,” she said.
“Though for me, the fireworks is the most exciting part of the celebration,” she added.
Karthik concurred saying that they always wait for the fireworks display during Saudi National Day celebrations because of the chromatic display of colors in the pitch black night sky.
“Me and my family always take time to step out of our house and witness the impressive display of fireworks every Saudi National Day,” she said.
Although expatriates are labeled as “guests” in the Kingdom, they said that they also have roles in the Saudi National Day celebration.
“Our role as expatriates during the celebration is to be there and to marvel at the Saudis’ amazing display of emotions, unity and happiness as they celebrate it,” an American expatriate said.
“We can also contribute by being a part of the various activities taking place all over the Kingdom or help students to prepare before the event since we are educators,” the South African teacher said.
Expatriates are looking forward to the celebration of Saudi National Day and hope that in some way, they can show to the Kingdom that even though they are guests, they care for the country they deemed as their “second home.”