Royal Order: February 22 of every year shall be designated to mark commemoration of Saudi State founding under “Founding Day” name, and shall be official holiday

A royal order was issued today and reads as follows:

With the aid of Allah the Almighty,

We, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,

King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,

Upon perusal of the Basic Law of Governance issued by Royal Order Number (A/90) dated 27/8/1412H (March 1, 1992);

Taking great pride in the deep roots of this blessed state and its citizens’ firm bonds with its leaders which began three centuries ago with the reign of Imam Muhammad bin Saud when he founded the First Saudi State in the middle of 1139H (early 1727), lasting until 1233H (1818), with Diriyah as its capital and the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as its constitution, and which provided unity and security in the Arabian Peninsula following centuries of fragmentation, dissension and instability, and survived attempts of elimination; seven years following its end, Imam Turki bin Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Saud succeeded in 1240H (1824) in restoring it, establishing the Second Saudi State which lasted until 1309H (1891); ten years later, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Faisal Al Saud succeeded in 1319H (1902) in establishing the Third Saudi State and uniting it under the name of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and his sons, the kings, followed in his footsteps in reinforcing the building and unity of this country; and

Taking into account that the middle of the year 1139H, corresponding to the month of February of the year 1727, signals the commencement of the reign of Imam Muhammad bin Saud, marking his founding of the first Saudi state;

Have decreed the following:

First: The 22nd day of the month of February of every year shall be designated to mark the commemoration of the founding of the Saudi state under the name “Founding Day”, and shall be an official holiday.

Second: This Decree shall be communicated to the relevant entities for adoption and implementation.

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud