Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Saudis on Sunday celebrated their country’s 88th National Day commemorating the unification of the country under its present name by its founder the late King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman ordered the National Day holiday be extended till Monday.

All banks and financial institutions will also remain closed on Monday as per the Royal order.

Saudis expressed pride that in a span of just 88 years their country has reached the climax of glory in all areas and fields. Their country is now occupying a great economic position among the 20 biggest economies in the world.

The Kingdom is also playing a pivotal role in consolidating peace and security in the world through a consistent foreign policy.

The Kingdom's leap toward modernization, consolidation of sustainable development, generous humanitarian initiatives, the promotion of peace and security and fight against extremism and terrorism have got fresh impetus during the reign of King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and defense minister.

Reforms are continuing. Gigantic projects, which shape up the “Saudi dream” such as Neom city, the Red Sea Development Project and Al-Qidayah are under implementation.

The entire world is now aware of Saudi Arabia›s foreign policy which is against any foreign interventions aimed at destabilizing the region.

The Kingdom is expanding non-oil revenues and building a strong economy characterized by various options to diversify the sources of income.

With official backing, Saudi women were able to break taboos and to take up leading positions in the public and the private sectors. The hurdles which blocked the march of Saudi women have become history.

The King and the Crown Prince received congratulatory cables on National Day from a number of world leaders. Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates joined the Kingdom in celebrating the occasion.

City Walk, the design-inspired open-air lifestyle destination by Meraas, hosted a gala concert to mark the 88th Saudi National Day, treating visitors to spectacular performances by celebrated artists Dalia Mubrak and Shamma Hamdan.

Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Saud Bin Naif said the security and stability of the country have been a top priority for its leadership.

"Security and stability are the cornerstone for development and prosperity," he said.

Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, emir of Makkah and adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, said the wheel of development is going on undisturbed.

"The path of progress does not know the impossible and our history has never succumbed to disappointments or frustrations," he said.

Emir of Riyadh Prince Faisal Bin Bandar said the leadership was leaving no stone unturned for the prosperity and wellbeing of Saudi citizens.

A number of governors, deputy governors, ministers and senior officials expressed similar sentiments highlighting the Kingdom’s achievements under King Salman and his Crown Prince.