Saudi National Day was just like any other day four years ago. But for the third year now the day of the founding of the Kingdom has become the country’s first secular holiday. National Day, implemented in 2005, is the only holiday recognized by the Kingdom that isn’t related to religious service. The Kingdom also recognizes the two annual Eids as “bank holidays”, when schools, government offices and private institutions are closed.
The idea to recognize the birth of the country stems from the recognition that Saudis aren’t just Saudis and they aren’t just Muslim; they are a diverse group of people with various backgrounds and tribal affiliations. National Day has become a holiday devoted to recognizing the Kingdom’s foundation and is aimed at instilling national pride and unity, as is the case with any country whose people recognize the significance of honoring the national birthday.
It’s not that Saudis aren’t patriotic. It only takes a short drive through the streets of Jeddah or Riyadh to see window decals depicting the Saudi flag, or the national symbol — two crossed swords and a date palm — or a picture of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah (often with a hawk, the national bird, perched on his shoulder).
“(National Day) has really made a difference in making me feel more patriotic toward the Kingdom,” said Ibrahim Mohamed, 28. “I didn’t feel this way before it was stated officially as a special day.”
Mashael F., 26, said that it hasn’t instilled any particular sense of national pride, but that having a national birthday puts Saudi Arabia in line with most, if not all other, countries in the world.
“There has been special celebrations in the country, but now I feel that we are finally celebrating a national day like all other countries,” he said.
Ahmed Abulola, 34, said National Day is an opportunity to think and remember how the country was and how it has developed through the years.
Amani Henaidi, 24, said that the celebration last year brought joy to her heart when she saw people out in the streets celebrating and waving the national flag, but that she would like to see more activities.
“I think the country must provide some special events on that day for youths, who could then stop wandering in the streets with their cars,” she said, suggesting folkloric dances.
“They could decorate streets with the green color and peddlers could sell small green flags,” said Henaidi. “They could even assign a special time where all people can gather every year in that day and sing the national Saudi anthem or it can be played in the street.”
Mohammed Abed, in his early 20s, said he would like to see more public events. “If more free activities and gatherings would be held on that day in order for people to get to learn more about the Kingdom history, this would be really remarkable,” he said. Shaimaa Mukhtar said she would like to see Jeddah’s Corniche packed with activities tents and families out celebrating Saudi heritage. “This would be nice because people would start to look forward to the day each year,” she said. Jeddah’s historic center is a popular place to go for the holiday. Some students are planning trips to Riyadh to see the festivities in the Kingdom’s capital.
“Riyadh is the capital and there is no better place to celebrate the national day than Riyadh where the story of Saudi Arabia began,” said Saud Asim, a 21-year-old engineering student.
Abdulmajeed Khalid, a Saudi student in Canada, said he had been studying abroad for four years and therefore has yet to experience the new holiday at home.
“Yet knowing that my country is celebrating a very important day brightens our day here and makes us think of our ancestors and how Saudi Arabia developed throughout these years,” he said.
Khalid also said that he doesn’t know yet if the Saudi consulate would invite Saudis to celebrate, “but that would be an excellent gathering for all Saudis here during this holy month where spending Ramadan without a family is already tough.”
Loay Alfi, 23-year-old graduate student who studies in the US, pointed out that many private companies aren’t allowing their workers to take the day off. “I call them to respect this day,” he said. “This is unfair to the country and to the employees who would love to honor this day.”
