What do you know about Foundation Day?

Weather of Arabia - On February 22, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrates the country’s founding day, which dates back to the day the state was founded by Imam Muhammad bin Saud in the year 1139 AH / 1727 AD. This day is an opportunity to celebrate the great nation-building process that began in the ancient capital, Diriyah, three centuries ago.

The Foundation Day announcement shows the historical depth of the Saudi royal family, as the Saudi family has a history that extends for about 600 years, starting with the founding of the city of Diriyah by Mani’ Al-Muraydi, the thirteenth grandfather of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

Speaking of the Founding Day, we must remember the biography of the founding Imam, who had insightful vision and exceptional wisdom. He studied the conditions in his emirate and the region in general, and began planning for change since he assumed power.

The founding imam established a new path in the history of the region, focusing on unity, education, spreading culture, enhancing communication between members of society, in addition to maintaining security and stability. He also had a love for contemplation and thinking, and this indicates his distinguished personality in extrapolation, deliberation, and refining the future vision.

Who is Imam Muhammad bin Saud?

Imam Muhammad bin Saud bin Muhammad bin Muqrin was born in 1090 AH / 1679 AD in Diriyah, and grew up in this town. He had many characteristics that distinguished his personality, including religiosity, love of goodness, courage, and the ability to influence.

The Imam benefited from his experience in his youth when he worked alongside his father in arranging the affairs of the emirate, which gave him the opportunity to obtain full knowledge of all aspects of life in Diriyah. The Imam also participated in defending Diriyah when it was attacked by Saadoun bin Muhammad, the leader of Bani Khalid in Al-Ahsa, and they succeeded in repelling and defeating them, which demonstrated their courage and strength in defending their land.

Imam Muhammad bin Saud is considered an extension of the history of his predecessors who built and ruled Diriyah, as he succeeded in transforming it from a small state to a state with wide influence, and he assumed power in exceptional circumstances in the middle of the year 1139 AH (February 1727 AD). Diriyah suffered from weakness and divisions due to several reasons, in addition to the spread of the plague in the Arabian Peninsula during that period, which led to the death of large numbers of the population.

Despite these challenges, Imam Muhammad bin Saud succeeded in unifying Diriyah, achieving stability in the Al-Arid region, and building the foundations for the first Saudi state and its unification. Among his most notable achievements during his rule between the years 1139 AH / 1158 AH (1727 AD / 1745 AD) was the unification of the two parts of Diriyah and their integration under one rule after the authority was divided between two centers, as well as interest in internal affairs, strengthening the unity of Diriyah society, and organizing the economic affairs of the state.

In addition, Imam Muhammad bin Saud built a new neighborhood in Samhan known as the Tarfiya neighborhood, where he moved to after Ghasiba had been the center of government for a long time. He also built a wall for Diriyah to strengthen defense and confront external attacks coming from eastern Arabia.

Imam Muhammad bin Saud also contributed to spreading stability in the state across various fields, and enshrined the principles of stability, political independence, and non-commitment to any other forces, which contributed to strengthening the state’s unity and stability in the face of internal and external challenges.

Unification campaigns

During the period from 1159 to 1179 AH (1746 to 1765 AD), Imam Muhammad bin Saud began and led unification campaigns, during which most of the Najd region was unified, and news of the state spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula.

These campaigns contributed to securing the Hajj and trade routes, which made Najd a safe and stable region, in addition to its success in repelling the campaigns that tried to eliminate the state in its early stages.

Imam Muhammad bin Saud died in 1179 AH (1765 AD) after leadership and establishment that lasted for forty years. He had a number of sons, including: Abdul Aziz, Abdullah, Saud, Faisal, Ali, Markhan, and daughters Haya and Tarfa.

Source: alarabiya