Saudi National Day, A Day of Unity: Saudi Arabia's National Anthem, Flag Regulations, and Historic Events for National Day.

 

Who wrote the national anthem of Saudi Arabia?

In 1946, when the founder of the Kingdom, King Abdulaziz, visited Egypt, he tasked the famous Egyptian poet Abdul Rahman Al-Khateeb with writing the national anthem of Saudi Arabia. Later, during King Saud's visit to Taif in 1958, another well-known poet, Mohammed Talat, wrote an anthem for the occasion.

The current national anthem of Saudi Arabia has been played at the beginning and end of radio and TV broadcasts since June 29, 1948. Initially, its tune was composed and played.

King Fahd bin Abdulaziz ordered the famous poet Ibrahim Al-Khafaji to arrange the lyrics for the national anthem during his reign. The lyrics that Ibrahim Al-Khafaji composed were found to harmonize well with the royal anthem's music.

Saudi musician Siraj Omar adjusted the lyrics to fit the melody. This anthem is now used in schools, international events, and sports competitions. It is also played during the reception of heads of state.

The lyrics of the Saudi national anthem consist of four lines. The translation is as follows:

"Stride boldly toward greatness and honor,
Proclaim the majesty of the Creator of the heavens,
Lift the glorious green flag high,
O my homeland, endlessly celebrate the greatness of Allah.
Long live my homeland, the pride of all Muslims,
Long live the king, guardian of our flag and nation.."

Preparations for the National Day: Cities Decorated with National Flags.

Saudi Arabia is set to celebrate its 94th National Day on September 23, and all cities, big and small, have been decorated with national flags. In the capital, Riyadh, preparations for the National Day are in full swing, with all major roads and city areas adorned with flags in markets and streets. This has created a wave of flags throughout the city, and both citizens and foreigners are extremely excited to celebrate the National Day.

What are the Interior Ministry's Guidelines Regarding the National Flag on National Day?

The Saudi Ministry of Interior has outlined prohibited actions concerning the national flag for National Day. It was emphasized that "damaged colors and worn-out flags cannot be used."

In the warning notice issued by the ministry, it was further stated that "The national flag cannot be used for commercial purposes. The flag should not be placed in inappropriate locations."

The flag should be displayed upright. It is also prohibited to use the flag's fabric for tying things or for lifting objects. The ministry mentioned that "no writing, symbols, or images of animals can be placed on the flag. Creating floral designs on the edges of the flag is not allowed."

The Saudi flag should never be displayed upside down. The national or royal flag must never be lowered in any situation. The flag should not be placed on the ground, in water, or on tables.

Jeddah: 2,000 Participants in the Historic "Green Spirit Run" for National Day.

On the occasion of the Kingdom's 94th National Day, approximately 2,000 people participated in the historic "Green Spirit Run," which started from Bab Makkah in the historic area of Al-Balad in Jeddah on Friday.

According to Arab News, the Ministry of Sports, in collaboration with the Sports for All Federation and the Musafat Club, organized runs of 5 and 2 kilometers for the Saudi National Day.

At the event, Khalid Yamani, president of the Musafat Club in Jeddah, said, "These races celebrate the unity, strength, and collective spirit of our nation." He noted that this great patriotic community event is open to families of all nationalities and ages. It is an excellent opportunity to express our spirit, enthusiasm, and love for our country.

The main goal of the "Green Spirit Run" is to bring residents of Jeddah together and celebrate National Day through this unique run for men, women, and children.

With the participation of nearly 2,000 individuals, the annual event showcased cultural traditions and family entertainment, exceeding our expectations. The runs began at Bab Makkah and passed by historical sites like Bab Al-Bint, Beit Nasif, Al-Falah School, and other well-known locations in the old city.

Abdul Mohsen Al-Najjar, who participated in the 5-kilometer run with his son Adel, shared that he has been walking regularly for 20 years but this was his first time joining a recreational run. He said, "Celebrating National Day alongside citizens of all nationalities with my son is truly a delightful memory."

Bringing his son along was a way for him to experience pride in their National Day by participating in the event. Seventy-year-old Hassan Al-Tuwairqi, who has been walking and jogging for years, stated, "Participating in the run every year is my favorite hobby, and I will never give it up. Walking and being part of healthy events is part of my lifestyle, and I am very proud to be part of this run on our National Day."

Louise Tangani, a Filipina working in a private company in Jeddah, expressed, "I have never missed the opportunity to participate in a run on the Kingdom's National Day. I feel it is my duty to celebrate this special day with my local colleagues, and joining the run is a way to express my love for this country."

Abdullah Al-Hosouli won the 5-kilometer run, completing the distance in 14:59 minutes, while Muhammad Nabil triumphed in the 2-kilometer race with a time of 9:58 minutes.

How Genuine Are Discount Sales on National Day, and How Will the Ministry of Commerce Monitor Them?

Saudi marketing specialist Ahmed Al-Masari states that "discount sales on National Day and other occasions are actually a double-edged sword." He explains, "If used correctly, both consumers and traders will benefit; otherwise, both parties may face losses."

According to News, he emphasized that it is important to verify whether the price reductions on a brand's products are genuine or just for show. This can be assessed by examining the prices and quality of the items.

If there is a real reduction in prices, not only will consumers benefit, but traders will also gain as they will attract a larger number of customers who become familiar with their quality. In the future, customers will seek out products of the same quality.

Additionally, the Ministry of Commerce states that inspection teams visit markets to ensure that the discount sales announced for National Day are authentic and not just for show. The ministry’s teams review the discounted prices and compare them with the prices before the announcement. If there is no significant difference, action will be taken against those who declared the discount sale.

It is important to note that according to the Ministry of Commerce's regulations, no commercial entity can announce a discount sale without obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the ministry. To obtain this NOC, it is necessary to submit a request to the relevant department, providing information about the prices. The NOC is issued only after analyzing the prices before and after the sale.