What is the purpose of Saudi National Day?
Saudi National Day is celebrated on September 23 each year to commemorate the unification of the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd, which took place in 1932. This led to the formation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdul Aziz bin Abdul. . . Rahman Al Saud. This historical event occurred on September 23, 1932, which is why it is celebrated on this day every year. The unification was the result of an epic battle led by King Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud over thirty years. Two years after recovering the city of Riyadh, he declared the unification of all parts of the modern state under the name of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. King Abdul-Aziz chose May 21, 1932, as the day to officially declare the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Information about childhood and formative years.
King Abdul-Aziz was born in the city of Riyadh in 1876, his father was Imam Abdurrahman bin Faisal bin Turkey bin Abdullah al Saud. He was taught by Sheikh Abdullah Al Kharji, a cultured man from the city of Riyadh. He learned many chapters of the Holy Quran. He later learned the entire Quran and Islamic theology from another teacher named Abdullah bin Abdullatif Al Al-Sheikh.
When he was young, King Abdul-Aziz liked to ride horses, he was known to be very brave, courageous, daring, and well-mannered. He accompanied his father on his journey to Badiyah. He was greatly influenced by the nomadic life he led after leaving the city of Riyadh. Abdul-Aziz was only twelve years old when he arrived in Kuwait with his father. He spent about ten years there, during which time he learned the Holy Quran, learned about politics, and learned to lead soldiers on the battlefield.
The beginning of the new era.
In the early 1900s, a young King Abdul-Aziz left Kuwait with a small group of family members and aides to travel to Riyadh. At just 26 years old, he arrived in a chaotic Arabian Peninsula and, on January 15, 1902, triumphantly entered the city of Riyadh. His father, Imam Abdurrahman bin Faisal, resigned from his political and religious power, which King Abdul-Aziz assumed after the Jumaah prayer at the Grand Mosque.
The new king slowly but surely began to unite the Najd area, starting in the south of Riyadh. He defeated his opponents in the area called Dallam near Kharji, eventually taking over all the cities south of Riyadh, including Kharji, Al Hareeq, Aflaj, and Wadi Al Dawasir. From there, King Abdul-Aziz moved on to conquer the capital of Shagra in the Al Was ham area, then Thadiq and Sudhir capital Al Majmaah. All of these areas were united under his rule and became known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
After several minor battles, King Abdul-Aziz was able to conquer the Gasim area in 1321/1324, with the final and most decisive battle being Raudat Mahannah on April 14, 1906. His efforts in unifying the Arabian Peninsula marked the beginning of a new era.
Uniting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was united on the 17th of Jumadah Al Uola, 1351, when a Royal Decree was issued. It declared that all parts of the Kingdom would be united under the name "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia", and the title of the King would be King of Saudi Arabia. On Friday, July 21, King Abdul-Aziz chose Uola to announce this unity. The National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is celebrated on this day.
During his reign, King Abdul-Aziz organized his kingdom in a modern way. He delegated authority and formed a government for the Hijaz area after conquering it. He created the office of Attorney General and appointed his son, Prince Faisal, to head that office in 1926. He also assigned Prince Faisal the presidency of the Shuora Council, which was an advisory council. In December 1931, another decree was issued creating a council of deputies. King Abdul-Aziz then formed several ministries to run the government. Diplomatic relations were established with some countries, and ambassadors, councils, commissioners, and ministers were appointed.
King Abdul-Aziz supported the Palestinian issue, and when the Arab League was created in Cairo in 1945, the Kingdom was among its first members. Among King Abdul-Aziz’s first achievements was his project to colonize the nomads. They settled in towns and agricultural lands. From these settled nomads, an army of volunteers was formed. King Abdul-Aziz worked hard to improve the social and economic conditions of Saudi Arabia. He gave instructions to establish new schools and institutes and encouraged the publication of books, especially Islamic books. He also expanded the Mosque of the Prophets and provided it with medical and waste services to serve pilgrims.
To symbolize the newly established Kingdom, two crossed swords and a date palm between them were chosen as the emblem. The flag of the kingdom was also chosen, with a green rectangle in the center. The words "No god except Allah and Muhammad is his messenger" are dressed in white, and below is a white sword.
Oil production.
Commercial oil production began in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia in 1937, leading to an increase in the country's wealth. This newfound prosperity led to the establishment of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Fund and the purchase and distribution of agricultural equipment to farmers.
Additionally, infrastructure improvements were made, including the construction of paved roads and a railway line linking Riyadh to Dammam. The country's first telecommunications network and airline, Saudi Arabian Airways, were created in 1945. An oil pipeline was also built from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea. King Abdul-Aziz (IP) further prioritized the well-being of his people by founding the Saudi Arabian Broadcasting Station and establishing healthcare services throughout the kingdom.
Finally, to regulate immigration and residency, an immigration law was enacted. The result of these efforts was a strong government in the Arabian Peninsula whose constitution was based on the Holy Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (BUH), making Saudi Arabia one of the most peaceful and prosperous countries in the world for many years.
Reform and development.
During his reign, King Abdul-Aziz focused on reform and development. He did not simply maintain what he had achieved but continued to improve all aspects of the Islamic system. Under his leadership, ministries and government organizations were created to continue this progress. Old systems were replaced with innovations.
The judiciary system was based on Sharia law, and several courts were formed. King Abdul-Aziz was also known for his achievements in security, law, and order. He took law enforcement seriously and punished those who disrupted the kingdom, making Saudi Arabia famous for its safety.
Care of pilgrims.
King Abdul-Aziz also cared for pilgrims who came to Saudi Arabia to fulfill their religious duties. He enacted laws to regulate pilgrimages and personally supervised their implementation to prevent exploitation, especially in transportation and accommodation services. The king ensured that pilgrims had sufficient food and water.
In addition, King Abdul-Aziz was passionate about spreading Islamic education and knowledge. He fought against ignorance by supporting teachers, preachers, and private schools. He established a department of education to oversee education throughout the kingdom.
Relationship and connections.
King Abdul-Aziz was diligent in developing both the interior and exterior areas of his kingdom. He established strong connections with other friendly and brotherly countries, based on clear objectives and firm principles of Islamic teachings.
King Abdul-Aziz strengthened his relationships with fellow Arab nations and endeavored to unite their positions on international issues. He also sought to resolve their internal differences through dialogue and agree on objectives that would guarantee the liberation of their occupied territories and protect their rights.
Establishment of Sharia law.
King Abdul-Aziz’s main objective was to establish the rule of Islamic law in the kingdom through the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. This goal was fully achieved by King Abdul-Aziz because until now the Kingdom is governed by Sharia law. The speeches and sayings of the King demonstrate it. Among what he said is: "Everything I do I depend on Allah, who is no more God than he, I depend on him openly and covertly, I believe that He will support us because of this dependence on Him. I am doing Jihad." so that his word be supreme."
He also said this in the opening speech of the first Shuora council in 1349H. "You all know that the basis of our government is Islamic law, therefore, you are free to pass bills and enact laws that you consider suitable for this country, and these laws must not contradict Islamic law because the laws that are contrary to Islamic law It will not benefit anyone, it is really bad and harmful to enact a law against Sharia that was revealed to our prophet Muhammad.
Security.
In the Arabian Peninsula before King Abdul-Aziz's reign, there was no security. Even pilgrims suffered from bandits who attacked and stole their belongings. The Ottoman Empire implemented taxes to safeguard the pilgrims, paying bandits in gold to prevent attacks. Despite this, attacks still occurred occasionally.
When King Abdul-Aziz came to power and enforced Sharia law, he successfully established law and order in the country, resulting in the disappearance of robber gangs. A fascinating tale recounted the story of a lost truck carrying goods and food, traveling from town to town without being taken until the owner found it. This exemplified the ideal of security that was not commonly seen in most countries in the region during that time.
Islamic Solidarity.
King Abdul-Aziz was a devout Muslim leader who followed God's teachings of brotherhood among Muslims. He was the first to advocate for Muslim solidarity, which led to the first Islamic general conference in 1345.
His policies to unite Muslims and promote solidarity became the foundation of the Kingdom's principles. He famously said, "I aspire to see Muslims united in their beliefs, love for each other, and Arabs supporting the same goals and path. This will lead them to goodness."
King Abdul-Aziz Personality Traits.
King Abdul-Aziz possessed a strong and unique character during his time.
He relied on God for guidance and was a devout believer.
In the past, he had extensive knowledge of religious matters as he had memorized the Quran, along with many sayings of the prophets. He also had a deep understanding of Islamic exegesis and applied this knowledge practically during his time as a ruler. He would often spend his evenings discussing religious matters with knowledgeable individuals.
King Abdul-Aziz was a wise leader who adeptly addressed problems and often chose correct solutions.
King Abdul-Aziz was also known to be very brave and led his soldiers very successfully in all the battles he fought.
He was also known for being a highly capable military man who drew up successful plans and implemented them bravely, where he was able to win battles by exploiting his enemies' mistakes.
King Abdul-Aziz had a good knowledge and experience of the Bedouins and urban life in the Arabian Peninsula and also knew the Arab tribal lineage well, he could even tell a man's tribe by the first sentence he uttered, so he used to treat His town. According to the society to which they belong.
King Abdul-Aziz was very firm in the religion of Islam and never apologized for applying Islamic rules, but despite this, he was a very kind and sensitive person.
His death.
On the 2nd of Rabie Al Awal in the year 1373, which corresponds to the 9th of November 1953, King Abdul-Aziz passed away after a lengthy battle that had a significant impact on the Islamic and Arab communities. He had established a contemporary Islamic kingdom that adhered to Islamic laws and principles while incorporating modern lifestyle practices, all with the goal of upholding Sharia and benefiting Muslims worldwide.
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