Saudi Gazette report

Jeddah/Riyadh/Dammam — Festivities marked the celebration of the 87th Saudi National Day Saturday.

Young boys and girls were seen wearing green color attires to display their pride for the national flag and their country. Youths had decked up their vehicles in green. The Saudi national flag was much in demand.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman received cables of congratulations from leaders of friendly countries.

Those who sent cables of congratulations included President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Deputy Emir and Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Sultan Qaboos of Oman, Grand Mufti of Egypt Dr. Shawki Allam, Lebanese MPs Naima Tohma and Mohammed Qabbani.

The Ministry of Health launched a blood donation campaign titled “My Blood for My Nation.”

Five-day celebrations have been planned across the Kingdom.

Celebrations with the motto of “Strengthening Social Bonds,” began on Thursday and will run through Monday in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Hail, Alkhobar, Jazan, Abha, Onaiza, Tabuk, Sakaka, Jubail, Yanbu, Hafr Al-Batain, Hofuf, Madinah and Najran.

The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) is hosting 27 diverse festivities across 17 cities.

Saudi and Gulf music artists entertained the audience at Al-Johara Stadium in Jeddah.

Laser shows and vibrant firework displays lit up the skies in the Kingdom.

All main roads and streets of major cities and towns were decorated with Saudi flags. Wide variety of cultural programs and activities with the slogan of “Serving the Nation,” continued into the wee hours of the morning.

A festival in Madinah — “A Nation’s Smile” — combines the story of the country with a historical past and a brighter future.

Other events lined up during the five-day celebrations include car festivals, sports and folklore shows, bazaars, fashion shows, dancing fountains, parades, hot air balloon rides and even the Jungle Book play.

Organizers will harness high-end technologies including 3D shows, LEDs and HD projections — the results promise to be magnificent.