The Umm Al-Qura University, represented by the Student Affairs Deanship, celebrates the eighty sixth memory of the national day. Present were the University President, Dr. Bakri ibn Ma’atuq A’asas, the Educational Affairs Vice Dean, Dr. Abdul-Aziz ibn Rashid Suruji; Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research Vice Dean, Dr. Samr ibn Hemdan Alharbi; Student Affairs Dean, Dr. Amr ibn Taha Alsaqaf, deanship vice deans, college deans, supportive deanships and department heads. The celebration took place on Sunday, September 26^th, 2016, at the King Saud hall in Alabidiah.

The celebration started with recitation out of the Holy Quran, then the Saudi Royal anthem was played.

Afterwards, the Student Affairs Dean, Dr. Amr ibn Taha Alsaqf delivered speech through which he first welcomed the attendance, then he went on saying that the Deanship takes pride upon annually holding the University celebration marking this dear occasion.  He similarly reviewed the achievements the Kingdom made during these 86 years. He went on asking them to let him send on their behalf thanks message to our courageous soldiers who are stationed at our borders, adding that we declare our belonging and loyalty to our country and leadership. 

Shortly after, the Educational Affairs Deputy Dean, Dr. Abdul-Aziz ibn Rashid Suruji gave speech in which he expressed his pride towards this occasion which boosts the image of this country since the reign of the founding king Abdul-Aziz through his sons to the reign of King Salman. He then extended the deepest congratulation to our rulers and the Saudi people. He also spoke about the University and its leadership on this dear day.  Concluding his speech, he stressed on inculcating the national role into the students through the academic staff members.  

Then, the attendance was entertained to the “Nation’s Ambition” operetta featured four portraits depicting all the Kingdom’s regions with theatrical scenes in between. In addition to this, the University Dean opened the application of the Student Affairs Deanship comprising full manual that can benefit the students.

The celebration concluded with a speech by the University Director through which he said that a country is not reduced to just a place but it lives within us, and it is belonging and identity not a geographical terrain, and it lives within our hearts before it becomes our grave. He went on to add that just like man is born on its soil, their wishes and dreams and ambitions are born as well. As such, it is instinctive that man lives their country. He set our prophet as an example when he was displaced from Makkah by force: saying “I mostly endear you to my heart, and if I had not forced to leave, I would not have done so.”  

He further pointed out that our love for our country has a religious dimension setting us apart from all countries. This is grace bestowed upon us by Allah. And what made such love grow stronger is the prudent, strict leadership Allah bestowed upon us. Such a leadership is aware of its role and status; therefore, it tended to the Islamic Religion, spearheaded the Muslims’ countries and exerted every effort to elevate the banner of Islam.