Saudi National Day… A History of Glory and the Bonds of Brotherhood Between Egypt and the Kingdom

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrates Saudi National Day on the twenty-third of September every year. It is the day on which King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, may God have mercy on him, issued a decree in 1932 unifying the country under the name of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, replacing the Kingdom of Hejaz, Najd and its Dependencies.

In truth, the celebration of this day is not limited to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia alone. It is one of the most glorious days in the history of the Islamic and Arab worlds, and indeed of the entire world.

Egypt is one of the countries that shares a special relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a relationship that falls under the words of God Almighty in His Holy Verses: The believers are but brothers,” as well as His saying: “We will strengthen your arm through your brother.

The arm represents strength, and strengthening the arm means providing support, assistance and solidarity.

It is upon these two noble verses that the historic relationship between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, at both the governmental and popular levels, has been built.

Here, I recall one of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s historic positions toward Egypt. In 1956, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia provided Egypt with $100 million, following the United States’ withdrawal of its offer to finance the construction of the High Dam.

There was also the Kingdom’s honorable position during the glorious October War, when it used oil as a means of pressure on countries supporting Israel.

Therefore, the authentic Egyptian people naturally feel gratitude and pride toward this generous and great country. Whenever an opportunity arises for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to visit Egypt, we witness unprecedented interest, both officially and among the public.

These visits become a topic of conversation among Egyptians, who hold the Saudi people in great respect and esteem.

In Egypt, we are witnessing tangible activity and an unconventional diplomatic approach in the policies of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, both domestically and internationally.

The Kingdom is experiencing remarkable growth and demonstrating sound thinking on many issues. It has moved toward drawing a new political map, which we hope God will crown with success and prosperity, in pursuit of an Arab and Islamic world capable of confronting policies of violence and destruction.

There is also a principle established by King Abdulaziz, may God have mercy on him, when he explained the foundations of success for individuals and nations, saying:

“I rely in all my actions on God alone, without any partner. I depend on Him in private and in public, in the outward and the inward.”

Finally, we extend our congratulations to King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, may God protect them, the Saudi people, and the Islamic nation on the occasion of Saudi National Day, praying to Almighty God to protect the Kingdom from the schemes of those who plot against it and from the evil of evildoers.

I conclude with these verses, spoken on behalf of the Egyptian people, on the occasion of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to his second home, Egypt: If you visit us, this land is yours, And if you are away from us, your praise shall never fade.