Celebrations for Saudi Arabia's 93rd National Day get under way in the north-western city of Tabuk. SPA
Celebrations for Saudi Arabia's 93rd National Day get under way in the north-western city of Tabuk. SPA
The children of Tabuk, like their counterparts in other Saudi cities, can expect a National Day of fireworks and flypasts. SPA
The children of Tabuk, like their counterparts in other Saudi cities, can expect a National Day of fireworks and flypasts. SPA
Tabuk’s children wear the green and white of Saudi Arabia as part of their National Day celebrations. SPA
Tabuk’s children wear the green and white of Saudi Arabia as part of their National Day celebrations. SPA
Young Saudis in Tabuk are not only celebrating the 93rd National Day but marking a time of momentous change that shapes their future. SPA
Young Saudis in Tabuk are not only celebrating the 93rd National Day but marking a time of momentous change that shapes their future. SPA
Tabuk’s children join their families in celebrating the 93rd National Day. SPA
Tabuk’s children join their families in celebrating the 93rd National Day. SPA
In Tabuk, the enthusiasm of children is infectious on National Day. SPA
In Tabuk, the enthusiasm of children is infectious on National Day. SPA
National Day celebrations on September 23 mark the establishment of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia with Arabic as its language and the Quran as its constitution. SPA
National Day celebrations on September 23 mark the establishment of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia with Arabic as its language and the Quran as its constitution. SPA
Smiles and flags as Tabuk’s children celebrate National Day. SPA
Smiles and flags as Tabuk’s children celebrate National Day. SPA
Saudi Arabians joined King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Prime Minister, in celebrating the anniversary of their country's founding on September 23. Mariam Nihal / The National
Saudi Arabians joined King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Prime Minister, in celebrating the anniversary of their country's founding on September 23. Mariam Nihal / The National
Shops in Jeddah are full of National Day merchandise and decorations. Mariam Nihal / The National
Shops in Jeddah are full of National Day merchandise and decorations. Mariam Nihal / The National
National Day became an official holiday in 2005. Mariam Nihal / The National
National Day became an official holiday in 2005. Mariam Nihal / The National
A Starbucks cup rebranded for Saudi Arabia's National Day. Mariam Nihal / The National
A Starbucks cup rebranded for Saudi Arabia's National Day. Mariam Nihal / The National
As Saudi citizens celebrate, world leaders sent their congratulations. Mariam Nihal / The National
As Saudi citizens celebrate, world leaders sent their congratulations. Mariam Nihal / The National
While the shops are stocked with National Day memorabilia, military parades and an arms exhibition are planned in Saudi Arabia's biggest cities. Mariam Nihal / The National
While the shops are stocked with National Day memorabilia, military parades and an arms exhibition are planned in Saudi Arabia's biggest cities. Mariam Nihal / The National
Streets, schools, universities, public and private spaces will be displaying the national flag, and green will be worn everywhere. Mariam Nihal / The National
Streets, schools, universities, public and private spaces will be displaying the national flag, and green will be worn everywhere. Mariam Nihal / The National
The hashtag #Saudi National Day is trending on social media channels. Mariam Nihal / The National
The hashtag #Saudi National Day is trending on social media channels. Mariam Nihal / The National
Saudi children are participating in National Day celebrations in malls across the kingdom. Mariam Nihal / The National
Saudi children are participating in National Day celebrations in malls across the kingdom. Mariam Nihal / The National
September 23 is an official national holiday in Saudi Arabia for the private and public sector. Mariam Nihal / The National
September 23 is an official national holiday in Saudi Arabia for the private and public sector. Mariam Nihal / The National

News

Gulf

Saudi National Day 2024: History, celebrations and what you need to know

Kingdom to celebrate its 94th birthday with fireworks, flypasts and festivities

The National

September 23, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic

Home to the birthplace of Islam and now undergoing social and economic reforms, Saudi Arabia celebrates its 94th birthday on Monday, September 23.

Saudis and foreign citizens who call the kingdom home will celebrate the transformative journey it has embarked on over the past 94 years and the people who made it happen.

Here is all you need to know about Saudi National Day.

What is the history of Saudi National Day?

King Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia. SPA
King Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia. SPA
Abdulaziz Ibn Saud, Sultan of Nejd, visits Basrah in modern-day Iraq in November 1916. SPA
Abdulaziz Ibn Saud, Sultan of Nejd, visits Basrah in modern-day Iraq in November 1916. SPA
King Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia. SPA
King Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia. SPA
Numerous heads of state attend the funeral ceremonies of Saudi King Faysal in 1975. Among them, his successor King Khaled, Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Yasser Arafat, President of the Republic of Egypt Anwar al Sadat, Algerian President Houari Boumedienne, and President of Syria Hafez El Assad. Photo: Sygma via Getty Images
Numerous heads of state attend the funeral ceremonies of Saudi King Faysal in 1975. Among them, his successor King Khaled, Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Yasser Arafat, President of the Republic of Egypt Anwar al Sadat, Algerian President Houari Boumedienne, and President of Syria Hafez El Assad. Photo: Sygma via Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II with King Faisal of Saudi Arabia travelling along Whitehall for a military pageant by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, London, 10th May 1967. Photo: Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II with King Faisal of Saudi Arabia travelling along Whitehall for a military pageant by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, London, 10th May 1967. Photo: Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Founder of Saudi Arabia, King Abdelaziz, speaks to the general manager of Aramco, N. Devins, during the opening ceremony of the Riyadh-Dammam train link in October 1951 in Riyadh. Photo: AFP
Founder of Saudi Arabia, King Abdelaziz, speaks to the general manager of Aramco, N. Devins, during the opening ceremony of the Riyadh-Dammam train link in October 1951 in Riyadh. Photo: AFP
King Abdulaziz's raiders on their way to recapture Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1910. Photo: Getty Images
King Abdulaziz's raiders on their way to recapture Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1910. Photo: Getty Images
A street scene shows the Saudi capital city of Riyadh in 1937. Photo: AFP
A street scene shows the Saudi capital city of Riyadh in 1937. Photo: AFP
President of the United Arab Republic Gamal Abdel-Nasser and Saudi King Faysal, sign an agreement on a peace plan to end the three year civil war in the Yemen in King Faysal palace in Jeddah 24 August 1965. Photo: AFP
President of the United Arab Republic Gamal Abdel-Nasser and Saudi King Faysal, sign an agreement on a peace plan to end the three year civil war in the Yemen in King Faysal palace in Jeddah 24 August 1965. Photo: AFP
A 1987 meeting in Oman of Emir of Bahrain Sheikh Isa II bin Salman II Al Khalifa, Oman's Sultan Qaboos, Kuwait Emir Jaber Al Ahmad, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Saudi Arabia’s Fahd bin Abdulaziz, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad. Photo: AFP
A 1987 meeting in Oman of Emir of Bahrain Sheikh Isa II bin Salman II Al Khalifa, Oman's Sultan Qaboos, Kuwait Emir Jaber Al Ahmad, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Saudi Arabia’s Fahd bin Abdulaziz, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad. Photo: AFP
Saudi Arabia King Saud ibn Abdalaziz jokes during a meeting in 1953 in Riyadh. He succeeded his father, King Ibn Saud, in November 1953 but in March 1958 he bowed to pressure from the royal family and conferred full powers to Crown Prince Faisal ibn Abdalaziz and abdicated in November 1964. He died in February 1969. Photo AFP
Saudi Arabia King Saud ibn Abdalaziz jokes during a meeting in 1953 in Riyadh. He succeeded his father, King Ibn Saud, in November 1953 but in March 1958 he bowed to pressure from the royal family and conferred full powers to Crown Prince Faisal ibn Abdalaziz and abdicated in November 1964. He died in February 1969. Photo AFP
American president Franklin Delano Roosevelt meets with King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia, chief of staff William D. Leahy and Col William A Eddy, minister to Saudi Arabia, aboard a United States warship on February 20, 1945. Photo: Getty Images
American president Franklin Delano Roosevelt meets with King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia, chief of staff William D. Leahy and Col William A Eddy, minister to Saudi Arabia, aboard a United States warship on February 20, 1945. Photo: Getty Images
An Arabian-American Oil Company drilling rig at Rub' al Khali in the Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia, circa 1955. The Arabian-American Oil Company became known as Aramco and then Saudi Aramco. Photo: Getty Images
An Arabian-American Oil Company drilling rig at Rub' al Khali in the Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia, circa 1955. The Arabian-American Oil Company became known as Aramco and then Saudi Aramco. Photo: Getty Images
King Fahd with the future King Salman attending a graduation ceremony in 1967. SPA
King Fahd with the future King Salman attending a graduation ceremony in 1967. SPA
Queen Elizabeth II greets Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, during a private audience at Buckingham Palace on March 7, 2018 in London. Photo: Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II greets Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, during a private audience at Buckingham Palace on March 7, 2018 in London. Photo: Getty Images

In about the year 610, the Prophet Mohammed received God's message to spread Islam and to recognise the unity of the One God (Allah, in Arabic). People plotted to kill him, and Prophet Mohammed made his way to a nearby town called Yathrib, now known as Madinat Al Nabi (the Prophet's City in Arabic).

The year of the Prophet Mohammed's migration from Makkah to Madinah marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar.

Since then, Islam grew and spread from parts of Spain to India and the Far East as more Muslims began settling in Makkah and Madinah.

In the early 1700s, a Muslim scholar named Mohammad bin Abdul Wahhab began calling for a return to the "true" version of Islam. He and Mohammad bin Saud eventually formed an alliance establishing the first Saudi state, ruling over what became known as Al Najd, which included Makkah and Madinah.

After a war with the Ottomans, Al Sauds regained lost territory and established Riyadh as their capital before more clashes with the Ottomans in 1865.

Abdulrahman Al Saud, who ruled at the time, sought refuge with the local Bedouin in the deserts of the Empty Quarter. His son Abdulaziz would recapture Riyadh, leading to the formation of the modern Saudi state.

On September 23, 1932, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia was established with Arabic as its national language and the Quran as its constitution.

What celebrations will take place?

In 2016, Vision 2030, a plan to transform the kingdom socially and economically, was revealed. Through the plan, announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi leaders aim to completely reshape the kingdom’s economy into one that is self-sufficient, progressive and diversified.

The kingdom recognised National Day for the first time in 2005. Now, UAE leaders have congratulated the country on its 94th anniversary.

President Sheikh Mohamed wrote on X: "On the occasion of Saudi National Day, I extend my congratulations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the people of Saudi Arabia.

“United by deeply rooted bonds of friendship, our countries share a vision for the progress and prosperity of people throughout the region, and together we look to the future with ambition and confidence.”

National day merchandise and decorations on sale in Jeddah. Mariam Nihal / The National
National day merchandise and decorations on sale in Jeddah. Mariam Nihal / The National

Saudi National Day celebrations began in all major cities across the kingdom on Friday, September 20. Celebrations include firework displays, live music and air shows across major cities while streets, schools and universities, as well as public and private spaces, will be display the green Saudi flag.

The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced Sunday, September 22, and Monday, September 23, as official holidays.

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

Profile box

Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C600rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C500-4%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.9L%2F100km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh119%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
if you go

The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.

The trip 

Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.

The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8

Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm

Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km

Price: Dh380,000

On sale: now 

'Skin'

Dir: Guy Nattiv

Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle McDonald, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

MATCH INFO

Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')

Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')

COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Haltia.ai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Arto%20Bendiken%20and%20Talal%20Thabet%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20AI%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2041%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20About%20%241.7%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self%2C%20family%20and%20friends%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog

From: Upper Egypt

Age: 78

Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila

Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace

Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries

• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.

• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.

• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.

• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.

• For more information visit the library network's website.

On Instagram: @WithHopeUAE

Although social media can be harmful to our mental health, paradoxically, one of the antidotes comes with the many social-media accounts devoted to normalising mental-health struggles. With Hope UAE is one of them.
The group, which has about 3,600 followers, was started three years ago by five Emirati women to address the stigma surrounding the subject. Via Instagram, the group recently began featuring personal accounts by Emiratis. The posts are written under the hashtag #mymindmatters, along with a black-and-white photo of the subject holding the group’s signature red balloon.
“Depression is ugly,” says one of the users, Amani. “It paints everything around me and everything in me.”
Saaed, meanwhile, faces the daunting task of caring for four family members with psychological disorders. “I’ve had no support and no resources here to help me,” he says. “It has been, and still is, a one-man battle against the demons of fractured minds.”
In addition to With Hope UAE’s frank social-media presence, the group holds talks and workshops in Dubai. “Change takes time,” Reem Al Ali, vice chairman and a founding member of With Hope UAE, told The National earlier this year. “It won’t happen overnight, and it will take persistent and passionate people to bring about this change.”

PROFILE OF HALAN

Started: November 2017

Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport and logistics

Size: 150 employees

Investment: approximately $8 million

Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar

DSC Eagles 23 Dubai Hurricanes 36

Eagles
Tries: Bright, O’Driscoll
Cons: Carey 2
Pens: Carey 3

Hurricanes
Tries: Knight 2, Lewis, Finck, Powell, Perry
Cons: Powell 3

Honeymoonish
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Brief scores

Toss India, chose to bat

India 281-7 in 50 ov (Pandya 83, Dhoni 79; Coulter-Nile 3-44)

Australia 137-9 in 21 ov (Maxwell 39, Warner 25; Chahal 3-30)

India won by 26 runs on Duckworth-Lewis Method

While you're here
While you're here
The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

'Gehraiyaan'
Director:Shakun Batra

Stars:Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa

Rating: 4/5

RESULTS

Men
1 Marius Kipserem (KEN) 2:04:04
2 Abraham Kiptum (KEN) 2:04:16
3 Dejene Debela Gonfra (ETH) 2:07:06
4 Thomas Rono (KEN) 2:07:12
5 Stanley Biwott (KEN) 2:09:18

Women
1 Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) 2:20:16
2 Eunice Chumba (BRN) 2:20:54
3 Gelete Burka (ETH) 2:24:07
4 Chaltu Tafa (ETH) 2:25:09
5 Caroline Kilel (KEN) 2:29:14

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Cricket World Cup League 2

UAE squad

Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind

Fixtures

Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE

World politics
Updated: September 23, 2024, 11:26 AM`
Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia National Day