By Mohammad Al-Subaie
MAKKAH — The Control and Investigation Board ran an inspection campaign to ensure that the national flag is hoisted atop all government buildings.
Inspectors noticed that some public directorates, organizations, schools and institutions were not adhering to regulations concerning the national flag.
“Violations include hoisting the national flag outside buildings, hiding it from clear view and hoisting a torn or dirty flag. The national flag should not be disrespected,” said a source.
Regulations state that the national flag must be hoisted atop all public buildings all year round. The flag should be clean and intact. Ragged or torn flags should be burnt and replaced.
The Saudi national flag is green featuring the shahada or Islamic declaration of faith in white Arabic inscription written in the calligraphic Thuluth script.
The green of the flag represents Islam and the sword stands for justice.
The flag is hoisted to the left of the flagpole, as viewed from the obverse (front) side. It cannot be hoisted vertically according to Saudi legislation.
The flag is not normally used on T-shirts or other items, because the shahada is considered holy.
The Law of the Flag contains two parts and 22 Articles. The first part (Articles 1&2) is on the description of Saudi flag. The second part (Articles 3-22) is on the protocol relating to the hoisting of the flag, the prohibited use of the national flag and the penalties.
The law prohibits the use of the national flag as a trademark or for advertisement or any other such purpose (Article 15). Violators may be imprisoned for up to one year and fined up to SR3,000 or both (Article 20).
