From the depths of history, and from the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, which has submitted to none but its Creator, the dawn of the day of founding broke to bear witness to three centuries of glory and grandeur. This is the story of Imam Muhammad bin Saud, who laid the first foundation stone in Dir’iya in 1727 CE, to chart, with the edge of his sword and the insight of wisdom, the course of a nation that knows no defeat. Today, we do not merely commemorate a memory; rather, we celebrate deep-rooted foundations that run deep into the earth, and a history written in the ink of glory, so that this nation may remain proud, cherished, and stable under the banner of Tawhid.
This year’s celebrations are held under the slogan «The Day We Began», embodying pride in the beginnings of the first Saudi state, which emerged from Dir’iya—the capital that became a beacon of culture and science and a hub of political unity in the Arabian Peninsula. On this day, Saudis reflect on the historic transformation led by the imams and kings, leading up to the prosperous era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, may God protect them.
«Foundation Day» is not limited to evoking the past; rather, it is a moment of reflection on current achievements. As we celebrate Diriyah and its history, we see Saudi Vision 2030 continuing to build smart cities and develop vital sectors. As His Excellency the Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Mr. Majid Al-Hogail, recently noted, the state prioritizes «family stability and quality of life» as a top national priority, an extension of the approach to stability and security that the state has upheld since its very inception.
Faisal Al-Zahrani: A Solid Legacy and an Ambitious Vision
On National Day we reflect on the roots of a nation deeply rooted in history, founded on steadfastness, determination, and unity, to forge, over three centuries, an unbroken story of glory. Today, the Kingdom strides confidently toward the future, grounded in a solid legacy and an ambitious vision that embraces the world. We take pride in wise leadership, a loyal people, and a nation that has made ambition its guiding principle, achievement a culture, and glory an unchanging hallmark.
Director General of the General Directorate of Media at the Eastern Province Secretariat
Tami Al-Subaie: The Synergy Between Our Ancestors and Our Wise Leadership
Foundation Day reminds us of the day we began and of the unity between our forefathers and our wise leadership in establishing this strong nation, praise be to God. What we are now witnessing—development and prosperity in various fields, including digital technology, sports, and tourism, and others, are nothing but the fruit of the efforts of its people and its wise leadership, which has strived to place us among the ranks of developed nations. And here we are now, enjoying security, safety, progress, and prosperity thanks to the efforts of all sectors. We ask Almighty God to protect our leaders and the people of this beloved homeland, whom we see every morning contributing to the development and success of all development projects aimed solely to improve the quality of life for citizens and residents.
Hamoud Al-Otaibi: Three Centuries of Glory
Praise be to God, first and last, and we congratulate the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the architect of the Vision, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, may God protect them both, on this precious occasion. As one of the sons of this noble nation, I feel pride and honor under this wise, inspiring, and supportive leadership for all the people of our beloved homeland, as we now live in an era of digital transformation under leadership that supports and motivates everyone, we are reaping the fruits of three hundred years of struggle and diligence to build a strong nation under the leadership of our rulers and the people of this generous homeland. The remarkable progress we are now witnessing at various levels—athletic, —in sports, technology, the economy, and culture—is nothing but proof of the success we have achieved. We look forward, God willing, to a bright and wonderful future, and we ask God to bless all our efforts, to protect our leaders in this noble nation, and to grant us continued glory, prosperity, security, safety, and well-being , God willing.
Nader Al-Mushaiti: Prosperity and Progress Have Reached the Citizens
We are pleased to take pride in this national occasion, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and his trusted Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, may God protect them, who are following in the footsteps of the kings who came before them, inspiring citizens and residents alike to take pride in this nation, whose blessings have benefited everyone.
God willing, our country will continue to prosper and make steady progress for both the individual and society as a whole, and I say to the people of this strong and noble nation: Together, let us advance the Kingdom, and together let us embody the vision of His Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, may God protect him, who looks to the efforts of the sons and daughters of this nation to advance and elevate all the capabilities of this country and to serve as a true example of success and development.
Fawaz Al-Subaie: The People of This Nation Are the «True Wealth»
What the Kingdom has achieved nearly 300 years after its founding is nothing but evidence of a continuous legacy of generosity and unceasing effort since the very first day of its establishment. This progress and excellence are the fruit of the efforts of men who worked day and night to build a safe and prosperous homeland, andWe ask Almighty God to protect the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness the Trustworthy Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, and to preserve this nation’s glory and pride. What we are now witnessing—the Kingdom’s strong international presence in all global forums—is is nothing but evidence of the efforts of our leaders—may God preserve them—and the sons and daughters of this nation to leave a mark of success and an inspiring symbol of development for all the nations of the world. And I say to the people of this nation: You are a treasure beyond compare, an ambitious people—and it is from you that the nation draws its strength and determination to always remain at the pinnacle.
Abdullah Al-Abdul-Salam: Unity… Strength… Ambition
Foundation Day is a commemoration we cherish, along with our deep-rooted heritage and rich history, and it is undoubtedly a day on which we reflect on the beginnings of our nation and the values upon which it was founded: unity, strength, ambition, pride in the past, pride in the present, and confidence in the future that we are building together, God willing. And I say to the people of this nation: You are the descendants of those who persevered and built, and you are the hand that today shapes the future with confidence.
Omar Al-Baqmi: A Comprehensive Renaissance Thanks to an Ambitious Vision
I am pleased to commend the successive achievements of the state’s domestic projects, which are a testament to progress and stability. We praise Allah for all these blessings we enjoy and for this wise leadership that has brought security and safety to this country—after Allah, the Almighty. Our feelings are indescribable as we witness this progress across all sectors, whether in transportation, technology, sports, tourismand beyond. This is thanks to God, and then to the ambitious development projects undertaken by our wise leadership, which meet the needs of citizens and residents alike and raise the quality of our daily lives. We rejoice at the outstanding efforts of the sons and daughters of our beloved homeland, whose contributions have helped the Kingdom to the global stage, thanks to the strong support they receive from a wise leadership that seeks to develop its youth in various modern sciences and technologies.
Fahad Al-Amri: This is where the story of glory began
On National Day, I celebrate my history and the roots laid by Imam Muhammad bin Saud, which marked the beginning of a story of glory. I belong to a nation led by King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and its ambitious future is being shaped by Mohammed bin Salman with a vision that inspires generations. We are the continuation of a great story and bear the responsibility of this era, and we will bequeath to our children a stronger and greater nation, God willing. May your glory endure, O homeland.
Abdulrahman Al Fahad: The determination of the founding knows no impossibility
As this year’s National Day approaches, our nation is more determined than ever to continue its triumphant journey, which began deep in the heart of the desert, to lead us today to the heights of glory and greatness. It is a glorious anniversary on which we reflect on our deep-rooted heritage and rich history; a day on which we celebrate a journey spanning three centuries, built by our forefathers on the values of unity and pride.
Foundation Day remains a living testament to a history written by devoted men with the ink of sacrifice, to build a proud nation that today stands confidently on the world stage. In light of our ambitious vision, we renew our pledge that the determination of our founding will remain thedriving force behind our aspirations for a future where nothing is impossible, taking pride in our strong identity and celebrating our deep-rooted heritage that stretches back through history to blossom into victory and glory.
