His Excellency the President of the University, Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, affirmed that the issuance of the Royal Decree stipulating that February 22 of each year shall be a day to commemorate the founding of the Saudi state under the name (Foundation Day) and become an official holiday, is a confirmation of the importance of linking the modern generation to the glorious history in order to restore the memory of the crucial historical moment in which the political thinking of the first Saudi state moved from a limited urban center (Diriyah) to the horizons of a major state (Saudi Arabia) to become after that a state of great international importance in which the region turned from the stage of disintegration and chaos to the stage of maturity and organization.

His Excellency said: Three centuries have passed since Imam Muhammad bin Saud - may Allah have mercy on him - announced the establishment of the first Saudi state, which was based on several principles, the most important of which were belief in the Book and Sunnah as a method and constitution, establishing the pillars of security and stability, achieving justice, gathering the word, uniting the ranks and spreading knowledge and science in society. It then struggled to keep its principles alive and prove to everyone that it is a solid state despite all the circumstances that tried to discourage it from continuing its ambitious project.

The observer of the three phases of the Saudi state sees the extent to which the imams and kings believed in these foundations and pillars, which remained one of the most important principles in the formation of the state, whether in the first phase, which began with the era of establishment by Imam Muhammad bin Saud in 1159 AH, or the second phase, which began with Imam Turki bin Abdullah in 1240 AH, or the third phase, which began in 1319 AH by the founding King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud - may they all have mercy on them -.

He explained: 

The issuance of this royal decree comes in the context of the interest of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz - may God protect them - in commemorating the fragrant anniversary of the establishment of this blessed country and linking the present with the past by recalling the sacrifices made by the generation of builders who gave their lives, money and time to build the edifice of this glorious nation.

The contemporary generations, especially my sons and daughters, should be proud of their ancient past, realize the magnitude of the sacrifices, and play their role in continuing the march so that this country remains proud, dear and prosperous by the hands of its sons and daughters, and they are able to do so - God willing - in the hands of their sons and daughters.

He prayed to Allah Almighty to protect this country, land and sky, its leadership and people.