UAE gets ready to mark Saudi N-Day

dubai — Celebrating pride and social progress, Saudi expats in the UAE do not feel distant from home as the country warms up for the 88th Saudi National Day.

Starting from Thursday, major landmarks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi — the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Frame, Marina Mall and Emirates Palace — are lighting up with the Saudi flag. Airports are also warmly receiving the Saudi visitors on the run up to the big day on Sunday.

The country will see an array of concerts and fireworks to celebrate the Saudi National Day. However, the celebratory theme in the country is not the only reason Saudi expats feel home in the UAE.

Abdul Majeed Al Mojalid, an account manager in the advertising industry, said hope now lies in the skilled Saudi youth. “I think diversifying our economy with skilled youth brings us closer to achieving greater goals,” said Al Mojalid, a Dubaibased Saudi for the last 11 years.

On the National Day, Al Mojalid said he is proud of the young generation who is working tirelessly to achieve greater things and leave a positive impact on the world, especially through their use of social media. “The content coming from the Saudi youth is educational, as much as it is entertaining. It shows that Saudis are not only consumers of social media, but contributors and content creators,” he said.

Spending most of his adult life in Dubai, Al Mojalid said his identity is as attached to the UAE as it is to Saudi. “There’s definitely a brother-like relationship between Saudi and the UAE, and I feel that even with Emiratis I just meet. We feel like we’re part of the same nation,” he noted.

Although there are multiple work opportunities for women in Saudi Arabia, expats say the UAE gives access to diversity of jobs.

Reham Ozjan Yeshar, a Saudi expat who came to the UAE in 2012 to pursue pharmacy studies at the University of Sharjah, said finding a position as a medical representative in the UAE will be easier as the job requires mobility to different healthcare centres. After graduating in January, she said she hopes to continue working and living in the UAE.

The content coming from the Saudi youth is educational, as much as it is entertaining. It shows that Saudis are not only consumers of social media, but contributors and content creators.” Abdul Majeed Al Mojalid,

Saudi account manager

Each time I fly to Saudi, I notice a new change. Women now work in stores and drive. Creativity is one of the most important factors to success. And I think our youth already has that.”

Reham Ozjan Yeshar, Saudi student

Saudi Arabia, though, has come a long way when it comes to reducing restrictions on women. “Each time I fly to Saudi, I notice a new change. Women now work in stores and drive,” said Yeshar.

She added that watching the young generation taking opportunities to support the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, and his son Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Salman, in enhancing knowledge in every field and working towards the 2030 vision will move the country forward.

“Creativity is one of the most important factors to success. And I think our youth already has that,” said Yeshar.

Saudi National Day is celebrated on September 23 to commemorate the establishment of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by King Abdulaziz in 1932.