Manama, Sept. 23 (BNA): Saudi Arabia celebrates its 94th National Day today, marking a significant occasion as the Kingdom continues to achieve milestones through a comprehensive national vision. Spearheaded by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, this vision aims to drive growth, prosperity, and establish the Kingdom as a key global player.

The progress witnessed today builds on the legacy of King Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud, who unified the Kingdom in 1932. Under his leadership, the Kingdom adopted the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) as its constitution, securing peace and stability. His legacy continues through the leadership of King Salman and HRH the Crown Prince, who aim to position Saudi Arabia as a regional and global leader.

On this national day, citizens and residents commemorate the country’s achievements under its leadership, which continues to foster development and a bright future for the nation. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reflects on the life of King Abdul Aziz, who unified the Arabian Peninsula and laid the foundations for the modern Saudi state.

According to the King Abdul Aziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah), King Abdul Aziz was born in Riyadh in 1876. He was taught reading, writing, and Islamic fundamentals from a young age. At age 10, his father, Imam Abdul Rahman bin Faisal, arranged for him to receive further education and training, including equestrian skills.

King Abdul Aziz was profoundly influenced by his father’s courage and his mother, Princess Sarah Al-Sudairi, known for her intellect. His departure from Riyadh in 1891, due to political unrest, marked one of the most challenging periods of his life. The family moved between Yabrin in Al Ahsa, Bahrain, and Kuwait, where they resided for several years. Determined to reclaim Riyadh, King Abdul Aziz led a small army in 1902, successfully recapturing the city and marking the beginning of a prosperous era for the Kingdom.

Following this victory, the people of Riyadh pledged allegiance to King Abdul Aziz in 1903 as the ruler of Najd. His leadership brought political stability to the region, paving the way for Riyadh to enter a new era of growth and development. After enduring years of challenges, King Abdul Aziz succeeded in uniting the country and restoring security, laying the foundation for a modern state.

On September 23, 1932, King Abdul Aziz issued a royal decree renaming the Kingdom of Hejaz, Najd, and its territories to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. His reign saw a focus on developing the two Holy Mosques and expanding services for pilgrims. He also prioritised education, healthcare, and infrastructure, including the establishment of schools, hospitals, and irrigation systems.

In 1933, oil exploration began in Saudi Arabia, driven by the need for financial resources to support the Kingdom’s development. After several years of unsuccessful efforts, oil was discovered in 1938 in Dhahran. This discovery transformed the nation’s economy, allowing King Abdul Aziz to implement his vision for the country’s development.

King Abdul Aziz also prioritised foreign relations, ensuring the Kingdom’s independence while engaging diplomatically with nations worldwide. His leadership earned the admiration of global leaders, and his transparent approach to governance set the foundation for Saudi Arabia’s international standing.

In 1953, King Abdul Aziz passed away in Taif and was buried in Al-Oud Cemetery in Riyadh. His successors continued his legacy, leading Saudi Arabia through further development and growth.

King Abdul Aziz’s passion for education and knowledge shaped the Kingdom's development. He printed and distributed Arabic books on various sciences, particularly Sharia, and regularly sought the advice of scholars and citizens, fostering a collaborative approach to governance based on Islamic principles.

Under his leadership and that of his sons, the Kingdom flourished. King Saud bin Abdul Aziz, King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz, King Khalid bin Abdul Aziz, King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz, and King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz each contributed to the nation’s progress in education, health, infrastructure, and economic development.

Today, Saudi Arabia, under King Salman’s leadership, continues its journey of growth, with Vision 2030 laying the groundwork for a sustainable and prosperous future. The Kingdom has become one of the 20 strongest economies globally, achieving significant milestones in various sectors, including tourism, energy, and industry.

Saudi Arabia celebrates its National Day with several recent achievements:

- Holding the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit in Riyadh.

- Holding the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Riyadh Summit.

- Holding the Saudi-African Summit in Riyadh.

- Signing an agreement with the People’s Republic of China, establishing the Kingdom as a major tourist destination for Chinese visitors.

- Opening the country’s first car manufacturing facility by Lucid Group.

- Establishing an automotive manufacturing plant through a PIF-Hyundai Motor Company joint venture agreement.

- Signing a joint venture agreement to establish a leading tire manufacturing facility.

- Winning the bid to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh.

- Announcing discoveries of natural gas in the Eastern Region and the Empty Quarter.

- Announcing Leyja, NEOM's latest sustainable tourism destination.

- Launching 'Ardara' with the development of 'AlWadi' in Abha as a flagship project.

- Launching the master plan for the new Abha International Airport.

- Joining the International Transport Forum (ITF) council.

- Securing 27 awards in science and engineering at ISEF.

- Publishing Saudi Arabia’s official FIFA World Cup™ 2034 bid book.

- Hosting the Esports World Cup in Riyadh.

A.S.