The Founding Day
A royal decree was issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, declaring February 22 as the Founding Day. This day symbolizes the historical, cultural, and civilizational depth of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, commemorating the founding of the First Saudi State by Imam Muhammad bin Saud in 1139 AH / 1727 CE.
The beginning was not recent; it is deeply rooted in a time before Islam, when Banu Hanifa came to Al-Yamama at the beginning of the 5th century CE. They settled in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula and established Al-Yamama, which was centered in the Al-Arid region of Najd, along the banks of Wadi Hanifa. Al-Yamama later became part of the Islamic state upon the emergence of Islam.
After the end of the Rashidun Caliphate, instability spread across the Arabian Peninsula. Neglect, unrest, and weakness prevailed, and the region fell into oblivion. It was not until Prince Mani‘ bin Rabi‘a Al-Muraydi Al-Hanafi returned in the mid-9th century AH (850 AH / 1446 CE), continuing the legacy of his tribe, Banu Hanifa. He re-established presence in the central Arabian Peninsula, where his ancestors once lived. His arrival laid the foundation for the stages that would eventually lead to the First Saudi State. He founded the second Diriyah — made up of Ghusaybah and Al-Mulaybid — which became the nucleus for expansion, security, and stability, distinct from the earlier Diriyah near Al-Qatif in the east of the Arabian Peninsula.
Over the course of more than 280 years, the descendants of Mani‘ Al-Muraydi successively ruled Diriyah. This paved the way for a new era when Imam Muhammad bin Saud assumed leadership in 1139 AH (February 1727 CE). He transformed Diriyah from weakness and fragmentation into unity and political independence, establishing the First Saudi State with Diriyah as its capital.
Imam Muhammad bin Saud bin Muhammad bin Muqrin was born in Diriyah in 1090 AH (1679 CE). He grew up there, gaining experience through working alongside his father and grandfather during their rule. This gave him expertise in governance and insight into the conditions of Diriyah. With his determination, vision, and understanding of the region, he was able to realize his ambition to form a stable and prosperous state.
Upon assuming leadership, Imam Muhammad bin Saud worked to unify the region, secure stability and safety within Diriyah and its surrounding towns and tribes, and protect pilgrimage and trade routes. He organized the state's economic affairs and expanded and fortified Diriyah's walls. The state then embarked on unifying the central regions of the Arabian Peninsula, marking the beginning of the First Saudi State's unification, which was completed during the reign of his sons and grandsons.