Umm Al-Qura University (UQU), represented by the Deanship of Student Affairs and the Events Management Center, celebrated the 87^th anniversary of the National Day. This was in the presence of the President of Umm Al-Qura University (UQU), Dr. Bakri bin Maatouq Assas. In addition, the event was attended by Dr. Yaser bin Suliman Shosho (UQU Vice President), Dr. Hani bin Othman Ghazi (UQU Vice President for Business & Innovation), Dr. Abdul-Aziz bin Rashad Suruji (UQU Vice President for Educational Affairs), Dr. Thamer bin Hemdan Al-Harbi (UQU Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research), Dr. Abdulmajeed Al-Ghamdi (UQU Vice President for Branches), Dr. Amr bin Taha Al-Saqaf (Dean of Student Affairs), in addition to deans and vice deans of colleges and supportive deanships. It is worth mentioning that the ceremony was organized on Wednesday, 7th Muharram 1439H at the Abediyah-based King Abdul-Aziz Historical Hall, and at the same time at Al-Zahir-based Jawhara Hall. 

The event started with the Saudi Royal Anthem followed by a speech by Dr. Amr bin Taha Al-Saqaf, Dean of Student Affairs, in which he stated, “With all pride and honor we celebrate today, a dear memory to all our hearts; a memory through which our love, belonging and loyalty to our country and our leadership is renewed. It is the National Day of our homeland in its 87^th year since its renaissance. Today we remember a blessed march towards construction, work, diligence and effort.  Such march will continue through the support and guidance of Allah, and then via the enthusiasm of the country’s sons and daughters to raise it towards glory.”

He added, “As our brave soldiers stand up to defend the homeland and protect its borders, our responsibility is to preserve the security, stability, renaissance and prosperity of our nation. This will be achieved by the powers of our unity and determination, so that no enemy can terrify us, and no traitor can disturb us. We have to stand together to mute all calls for sedition and division. "

Dr. Al-Saqaf, stressed that the National Day was a precious occasion to renew the covenant and pledge to the governors of the Kingdom, i.e. King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the King of firmness and determination and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (God Save him!), and his honest crown prince, HRH Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and the leader with promising vision and firm determination.

Then, Dr. Abdul-Aziz bin Rashad Suruji, UQU Vice President for Educational Affairs, described the occasion as the eternal memory which showed the march of a homeland that was launched in the era of the founder King Abdulaziz Al Saud (May he rest in peace!) and his family until the reign of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (God Save him!). He also extended his congratulations to the governors and people of Saudi Arabia, accentuating the role and leadership of UQU on such day. At the end of his speech, Dr. Suruji confirmed the necessity to activate the students’ national role via events and programs that developed their national sense.

Afterwards, the audience saw an operetta entitled "Renaissance of a Country" which included many paintings of the heritage and folklore that embodied all regions of the Kingdom.

The ceremony ended with a speech by the President of Umm Al-Qura University (UQU), Dr. Bakri bin Maatouq Assas, in which he asserted that the National Day was a memory that filled all our souls and reminded us of love to this homeland, its sanctities, its capabilities and its achievements. He added that such memory embodied loyalty to the Saudi wise leadership since the era of the founder and unifier of the Kingdom King Abdulaziz bin Abdurrahman Al Saud (May he rest in peace!) and his righteous sons until the current prosperous reign of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and his honest crown prince, HRH Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense (God Save both of them!). He confirmed that the King and his crown prince did not spare any effort to serve their country, people and Arab and Islamic nation generously, which rendered the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia present in all international forums and influential in international, continental and regional decision-making.

Dr. Assas also said, “Our celebration today on this national occasion in its 87^th year embodies the reality that the country and its people are living. Moreover, the achievements of the Kingdom make us proud. I would like to point out to education as one of such luminous examples and basic pillars on which the foundations of this young state were built, and one of the jumps witnessed in particular by the university education as a whole. This is evident in the 35+ universities (24 of which are governmental), in addition to dozens of colleges and specialized institutes that spread not only in every region, but also in every city and province throughout this generous country. It is clear that graduates of Saudi universities are now famous for their brilliance, and even surpass their peers in many international universities in different sciences and disciplines.”