JEDDAH: This year’s National Day would pass with hardly any events due to its coinciding with the final days of Ramadan.
“As the National Day falls in the last part of Ramadan, which involves intense religious activities, it was not appropriate to have major celebrations,” said Sami Nawwar, head of the municipality’s Tourism and Culture Department. “In the last 10 days of Ramadan there are two long evening prayers, while in the day people are fasting, which leaves no space for any actual celebration,” Nawwar said.
National Day celebrations have been extravagant, especially since 2005 when the day was officially declared a holiday.
Last year the National Day was marked in Jeddah with packed streets and shopping malls. Tens of thousands of young Saudi men decorated their cars and hit the streets with fanfare. The official celebrations began with a downtown caravan of horses and camels. The historic center was abuzz with traditional songs, plays and dances that carry the spirit of the Hijaz region.
This year, in recognition of the importance of Ramadan, these events will not take place. Nawwar said that the municipality is, however, gearing up for Eid Al-Fitr celebrations and events that begin after Ramadan.
