National Day.. Awareness and Responsibility

Listen to the article. The audio text is automatically generated by a system.

On the ninety-sixth National Day, we do not only celebrate the memory of a nation, but we also recall the meaning of having a strong state, a single flag, and a shared destiny. The true celebration of the Kingdom today is inseparable from what is happening around it: a turbulent region, rapid political and economic transformations, security threats, conflicts of interest, disinformation campaigns, and repeated attempts to test the Kingdom's positions or pressure it or question its choices. In such times, the National Day becomes more than just an occasion for joy; it becomes an opportunity to understand the nation from a deeper perspective of awareness and pride.

Recent years have taught us that nations are not only protected at their borders, that security is no longer solely the responsibility of the soldier, and that the economy is not just the concern of the government. The image of the nation abroad is not solely crafted by official institutions.

Responsibility is shared... Every citizen has become, in one way or another, a part of their country's strength. A word they write, information they share, a product they choose to buy, a job they perform, a position they take, and a way they differ from others, all these are small details, but when they accumulate, they create the image of a community and reveal the extent of its awareness.

From here, the slogan of the National Day 'Our Pride is Our Nature' seems deeper than a beautiful phrase that headlines the celebrations. Pride is not a claim, and nature is not a temporary appearance. Our pride is to be as this land has known us: people of dignity, nobility, and loyalty, who honor the guest, assist the needy, respect the elder, show mercy to the young, and stand with our homeland when conditions become tough, without noise or boasting.

We are also honored to add to these traits what our ancient homeland needs, which has given us a lot thanks to God.

It is our duty to be more disciplined, to respect the system, to preserve public property, to be aware of what we publish, to take responsibility, to take pride in national products, and to work sincerely.

At this specific stage, we need a more mature sense of nationalism. Nationalism does not mean that we do not disagree, but rather that we know how to disagree without destroying our home. It does not mean ignoring mistakes, but rather addressing them while being keen on the success of our homeland. It does not mean responding to every insult with an insult, but rather having the confidence and awareness to distinguish between criticism, information, and directed campaigns, and not to unconsciously become tools for spreading or amplifying rumors.

The Kingdom, which is currently moving with its political and economic weight, rebuilding its sectors, diversifying its economy, empowering its sons and daughters, and expanding its international presence, understands that the path of major countries is not paved with applause.

As interests expand, pressures increase; and as decisions become more independent, maintaining them becomes more costly. Here, the value of the internal front emerges: a confident, aware, and cohesive society that knows that the stability of its homeland is not guaranteed without a price, but rather an achievement that generations succeed in protecting.

Therefore, let us make the slogan "Our Pride is Our Nature" a description of us after the celebrations end, not a slogan that ends with them. Let our pride be seen in our schools, streets, workplaces, councils, digital platforms, in our dealings with residents and visitors, in our respect for the system, and in the quality of what we produce and accomplish.

Homelands do not only need their children in times of prosperity, but they recognize their true worth when challenges crowd around them.

On our ninety-sixth National Day, perhaps the best gift we can give to Saudi Arabia is to be worthy of it..

A nation whose pride lies in its strength and positions, and a people whose pride lies in its leadership, belonging, and giving.