Is Saudi Founding Day A Public Holiday? Everything You Need To Know
Bazaar Arabia shares a complete guide to the Kingdom’s national holiday…
In 2022, King Salman Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued a royal decree declaring that Saudi Arabia would have a new national holiday in celebration of an important moment within the Kingdom’s history.
Is Saudi Founding Day A Public Holiday? Everything You Need To Know
Saudi Founding Day – not to be confused with Saudi National Day – now takes place annually on February 22, to commemorate the founding of the first Saudi state in Arabia.
The official public holiday provides a day off work for all KSA nationals and residents within the Kingdom, encouraging them to enjoy a day filled festivities while celebrating their rich culture and national heritage.
Bazaar Arabia shares everything you need to know about Saudi Founding Day for those who are still unfamiliar with the new holiday…
What is Saudi Founding Day?
Saudi Founding Day celebrates the founding of the first Saudi state in Arabia. The Emirate of Diriyah, established by Imam Mohammed bin Saud, took place in February 1727. The celebration is also symbolic of Imam Mohammed bin Saud ascendency to power, as he oversaw the expansion of Diriyah from a city to an emirate, conquering territorial barriers in Arabia and uniting them under his family’s rule.
When is Saudi Founding Day?
Saudi Founding will take place on Thursday, February 22, 2024. This is the third year the Kingdom will be celebrating the holiday. The holiday will set up a long weekend for workers in the public and private sector, as the Kingdom’s weekend spans from Friday to Saturday.
How is Saudi Founding Day Different From Saudi National Day?
The purpose of Saudi Founding Day is to bring Saudi nationals closer to their heritage and customs, whereas Saudi National Day celebrates the unification of the kingdoms of Nejd and Hejaz. According to visitsaudi.com “… in 1932, the merged nations became the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after the family of King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud, of the House of Saud.” National Day is celebrated on September 23 and Founding Day is celebrated in February, in line with the founding of the Emirate of Diriyah.
How will Saudi Founding Day be Celebrated?
The Kingdom will celebrate the occasion with several events including a military performance, air shows paying homage to the Kingdom, fireworks, folklore dances and traditional music, and an abundance of authentic Saudi food and beverages.
What Should I Wear to Saudi Founding Day?
On Saudi Founding Day, both men and women are encouraged to wear traditional modes of dress. For women, this includes modest attire in vibrant colours adorned with beading, along with intricate henna designs decorating the hands and feet.
Lead image from Harper’s Bazaar Saudi’s Spring 2021 issue; Dress, POA, Adnan Akbar
Photography: Norah Al Amri. Styling: Latifa Bint Saad. Model: Taleedah Tamer. Make-Up: Eilaf Sabbagh. Hair: Sawsan Lilish. Photography Assistant: Abdulrahman Alosaimi. Fashion Assistants: Amira Abdo and Mohamed. Producers: Aamar Shawwa and Johana Dana. On Site Producers: Marta Lacima and Nikka Elaine from NEEDaFIXER. Videographer: Nasser Alwesabi. Drone Operator: Ahmed AlBalwi.