South Africa wishes Saudi Arabia on Independence Day

By
Bilal Satti
-
229
South Africa wishes Saudi Arabia on Independence Day
South Africa wishes Saudi Arabia on Independence Day

Cape Town, 23 September 2022 (TDI): South Africa has wished the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on its independence day. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is celebrating its 92nd independence day today 23 September.

History of Saudi Independence day

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrates its national day, also known as Al-Yaom-ul-Watany, on September 23. The Saudi National day marks the announcement of the unification of the country as a kingdom by King Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud on September 23, 1932.

Also Read: Saudi Arabia’s participation in 77th Session of UNGA

The National day of the KSA witnessed the birth of the Kingdom of  Saudi Arabia after an epic battle, led by founder King Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud over the past thirty-two years after.

The Arabian peninsula had been occupied by nomadic tribes since pre-Islamic times. In the 16th century, the region first came under the control of the Ottoman Empire.

Although several sultanates were formed from time to time, it wasn’t until the downfall of the Ottoman Empire at the end of World war I that modern Saudi Arabia emerged.

Also Read: South Africa at 77th UNGA

Ibn Saud became the Sultan of Najd, the central region of Arabia, in 1921. After conquering the Hejaz in 1925, Ibn Saud was declared King of the Hejaz on January 10, 1926. He changed that title to King of Nejd in 1927.

In 1932, after a two-year campaign to suppress and defeat former allies, the kingdoms of the Hejaz and Nejd were renamed and unified as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia’s late King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz announced that from the 75th National Day, the occasion will become an annual national holiday.

South Africa-KSA Relations

The two countries recognize each other as prominent members of their respective regions and both have a lot in common and their similarities are more strategic. Saudi officials and ministers have continuously referred to South Africa as their strategic African partner.