Prof. Abdullah bin Omar Bafil, President of Umm Al-Qura University (UQU), launched an initiative to print UQU Master’s and PhD theses specialized in the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This was during the inauguration of the Cultural Program organized by the Museum Department at King Abdulaziz Historical Hall in Al-Abediyah to celebrate the 88^th Saudi National Day. The event witnessed the attendance of Prof. Saeed bin Omar Al Omar (President of the Northern Border University (NBU)), Prof. Khalil bin Ibrahim Al-Brahim (President of the University of Hail (UOH)), as well as UQU Vice Presidents, Deans and affiliates.

The ceremony started with a Quranic recitation followed by a speech by Dr. Fahd bin Ateeq Al-Maleky, Head of the Museum Department. “The National Day is an occasion that reinforces and solidifies our spirit of citizenship. It reminds us with the biography and historical journey by which King Abdulaziz (May he rest in peace!) unified such a great entity, i.e. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In other words, King Abdulaziz laid the foundations of a modern state. Stemming from its motto that embodied the peak of unification, i.e. 'There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the messenger of God,’ the state ascended other peaks of monotheism, creed, giving, vision, economy and politics. This resulted in the Kingdom’s acquisition of support, appreciation and respect, thanks to Allah in the first place and then to the utmost moderate wise politics applied by the Saudi leadership,” Dr. Al-Maleky said. He also stressed that the Saudi National Day represented a special unique ascent to the peak of cohesion between the leadership and the people.   

During the event, Dr. Abdulmajeed Al-Ghamdy, UQU Vice President for Branches, spoke about the prominent role of the Saudi Vision 2030 in developing the homeland, reinforcing the national identity, as well as raising awareness among university students to provide them with scientific knowledge for the country’s service, growth and prosperity.  

This was followed by a documentary film about King Abdulaziz and his blessed journey to unify this homeland. 

Afterwards, Prof. Bafil gave a speech to wish a happy 88^th National Day for HRH King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques), HRH Prince Muhammad bin Salman (the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia), the Saudi Royal Family and all the Saudi people. In this regard, he accentuated that the National Day embodied the national unity established by King Abdulaziz bin Abdurrahman Al-Faisal Al Saud (May he rest in peace!). He added that the occasion represented a unique model of interdependence, belonging and cohesion between the leadership and the people, a cherished memory of a bright day when the meanings of integration amalgamated with each other, a system that drew the features of development, as well as minds and coils that combined for construction.

In his speech Dr. Bafil also said, “On the National Day, we review the history of the Saudi nation with pride and stand tall in front of the homeland's capabilities and gains. We remember the glories achieved by King Abdulaziz and his esteemed sons since the era of foundation till this blessed era of HRH King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (May Allah save him), to resume the march of giving, progress and prosperity. Through our journey we should be inspired by the vision of HRH Prince Muhammad bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia (May Allah grant him guidance!). He is the Vision planner, Transformation maker and future prospector for all what guaranteed the prosperity of the country and the welfare of its citizens."  At the end of his speech, Prof. Bafil wished that Allah, the Almighty, would perpetuate the blessings of security, safety and prosperity all over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the umbrella of its wise leadership.

On the other hand, the Presidents of UQU, NBU and UOH collaborated to cut the ribbon of the attached Historical Exhibition and National Day Gallery. All the event’s attendees toured the pavilions of the exhibition and gallery. In addition, they listened to a detailed explanation of the paintings that embodied the historical era of King Abdulaziz's march towards the unification of KSA. Moreover, they reviewed the publications of King Salamn Bin Abdulaziz Chair for Historic Makkah Studies and the Center for the History of Makkah, in cooperation with King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah). It is also worth mentioning that the participants in such a national event were honored by the President of UQU.