Saudi Arabia goes green on Flag Day
Tourism minister emphasizes flag’s significance in reflecting national unity
Saudi Flag Day was celebrated on Monday, with officials extending congratulations to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense.
Last year, the king designated March 11 as Saudi Flag Day, an annual celebration to honor the Kingdom’s national banner. The green Saudi flag bears the “shahada,” the declaration of Muslim faith, inscribed above the sword.
Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb mentioned the significance of the Kingdom’s flag, emphasizing its representation of unification, strength, justice, and development.
Al-Khateeb said that the green flag symbolizes the highest national ideals and noted that the flag tells the story of a homeland, the ambition of its leaders, and the will of a flourishing nation.
He expressed gratitude for the country’s development and prosperity, praying for the Kingdom’s security, stability, and the well-being of its rulers and people.
The squares and roads in all regions of the Kingdom were decorated with flags to celebrate
the day. Flags were also raised at all government buildings and public institutions in the Kingdom and its missions.
Education departments across the Kingdom also celebrated the day in both private and public schools, universities, and their offices. Citizens said that Flag Day reinforces the sense of national belonging and celebrates the Kingdom’s proud history.
Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Yousef, chairman of the Administrative Judiciary Council and president of the Board of Grievances, said that Saudi Flag Day commemorates the historical unification of the country by King Abdulaziz and the adoption of its flag. He added: “Our country, with ongoing development projects, current prosperity, and future aspirations, is rooted in the honorable history of national unification and the adoption of its flag.”
Many governors of the Kingdom’s regions and government bodies also congratulated the leadership on the occasion of Saudi Flag Day.
The Saudi flag has undergone several changes over time; it started out as a green flag with a white stripe and the Arabic shahada motto in the center. Two crossed swords were later added. The modern flag is plain green with the Arabic shahada motto and a straight sword below it.