In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful. For every nation there is an Occasion through which it perceives every year new image representing its glory and heritage of which it boasts. It commemorates heroism and victories of its past history. The National day of Saudi Arabia is one of these glorious days.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia like many other nations in the world celebrates and observe its national day with admiration and pride. The national day of Saudi Arabia which we commorate today is a very important historic Occasion.
It reminds us of great patriotism and heroism shown by our Late Great King Abdul Aziz who battled with all difficulties and hardship and faced challenges to make the world witness and history to record the emergence of the new state in the Arabian peninsula based on the teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah in the land of revelation and home of the eternal Islamic Message.
No doubt the right method and policy adopted by the Late King Abdul Aziz followed, maintained and practiced by his devoted sons who kept this great edifice safe against all kinds of storms and external conspiracies aimed at harming this beloved country and its future. The faithful sons of Late King Abdul Aziz who picked up the banner and worthy to be mentioned are the Late King Saud, the Late King Faisal, the Late King Khalid followed by the custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Fahad and His trusted Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz the second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz to continue the March of progress started by their beloved father. Under their wise leadership the country has witnessed development and progress in all spheres of life which made the political and economic weight of Kingdom felt among the world community. The practical progress that has been witnessed in the field of Industry, Agriculture, Education, Health and Social sectors is far from denial.
The Kingdom has under gone a remarkable transformation over a short period of time in all the spheres of life.
In the field of Industry:
The government of Saudi Arabia has concentrated on setting up a well studied plans. To establish different giant Industrial projects aiming at achieving concrete strategic objectives, to ensure development and prosperity in the whole country. These objectives include:
-- Diversification of the source of Income.
-- Reduction of dependence on the import from outside.
-- Raising technical and educational abilities.
The Kingdom was importing all the manufactured products it consumed, but now the Kingdom has a vast Industrial base and its factories supply a large portion of the needs of the country's domestic markets. The emergence of Industrial cities in Yanbu and Jubail has helped in the Industrial activities. The places where there were a collection of small houses now have been transformed into important Industrial centers producing and exporting everything starting from Petro-Chemical to Electronics to over 70 countries in the world.
The Kingdom is one of the fastest developing countries in the world. It is the most dynamic economic power in the Arab world and ranks 20th globally in the size of its economy. The new plan focuses privatisation of strategic economic options that lowers costs improves performance and provides jobs for citizens.
IN AGRICULTURAL SECTORS: The progress so far achieved is seen in the production of wheat, barley, vegetables, fruits plus poultry and eggs as well as dates. The Kingdom produces enough of these products to feed its own people and to export. This achievement has taken many people who knew that the Kingdom was importing its food stuff from abroad taken by surprise. The world food organisation has expressed their great admiration for this progress. There is nothing strange to say that the Kingdom started exporting the best types of flowers to the European countries such as Holland which is considered to be the leading country in this world.
IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION: The Kingdom enjoys one of the best systems in education in the world, where education is free for boys and girls with no difference between Saudis and expatriates. The Education system depends on the modern methods such as computers. Bright students are sent on Government scholarships to Foreign countries to achieve excellence in their field of specializations. There are eight big universities and hundreds of schools and colleges spread all over the Kingdom to provide standard education. Beside this many Foreign students mainly from brotherly Muslim countries are also admitted in Saudi educational institutions.
IN RESPECT OF HEALTH FACILITIES AND MEDICAL TREATMENT: The Government of Saudi Arabia has attached great importance to the health of the Saudi Citizens. At the back drop of this reality the Kingdom has established one of the most modern net work of hospitals and clinics where complicated surgical operations are conducted. Health care has been given special attention and medicines are provided free, due to this fact all Saudi Citizens are healthy and enjoy better life.
HOSTING THE HAJJ PILGRIMS: Hosting the Hajj Pilgrims known as the guest of Allah in the Holy land is special obligation of the government and the people of Saudi Arabia. Services to the two Great mosques in Mecca Al-Mokarrama and Madina Al-Munawara are something which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia considers to be one of its main principles.
THE EXPANSION OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES: King Fahad under his own supervision has carried out further expansion and beautification of the two Holy mosques at the cost of billion of Riyals to reflect the greatness of Islam and its distinguished position among the religion of the world. The Government of Saudi Arabia has established many giant projects in the Holy land with the intention to provide comfort and facility to the Pilgrims. Millions of Muslims who have been to the Kingdom admire with one voice what they saw and experienced in the Kingdom by the way of enhanced facilities. They noticed that never in any period of past history so many facilities for the Pilgrims were provided. These facilities are improving with every passing year.
KING FAHAD PRINTING COMPLEX: The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahad has given the top priority for the printing of the Holy Quran correctly and translating it into various languages for benefit of Muslims minorities in the world as well as for the services of Mankind to understand the Universal message very well. Having this aim in mind King Fahad ordered the setting up of printing complex to become a center for knowledge with specialisation in the research of the Holy Quran.
IN THE INTERNATIONAL SPHERE: The Government of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has committed itself to adhere to the firm principles on which it has been built namely: Islam as s a religion, legislation and way of life for this country. Saudi Arabia being part of this world has developed good relations with the world community based on love and mutual interest. Respect for others non interference in the internal affairs of the other nations while rejecting any interference in its internal affairs.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is fully aware of its capabilities and deals with the great powers within the principles based on an equal respect and mutual interest. The leadership of Saudi Arabia has adopted a wise policy to keep their people safe and prosperous. It never tries to inter into uncalculated adventures which most of the time produces negative results and creates new reality and new situation which is more worse then the one that existed.
The policy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is founded on truth and transparency. Saudi Arabia is committed to bring peace and stability to the world. It never attempts to win sympathy of the people on non-issues. This led other states to put confidence in this country and its leadership. Saudi Arabia has always striven to defuse the inter disputes in a peaceful manner and it is shouldering the burden of Palestine Cause and is considered to be the main Political, Moral and Financial supporter for Arab Palestine.
The Kingdom stood with Lebanon during the Aggression of Israel on their country in 1982 and lifted the siege of Beirut and played an effective rule to end the Civil war in Lebanon through Taif Agreement. The Kingdom helped in ending the crises of the Locker Bay and lifting the section against Libya. This was not the end of attempts of Saudi Arabia to settle the disputes but recently the Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz has declared peace and initiatives which includes the withdrawal of Israel forces from occupied Arab Lands and the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their home land with the intention to solve this crises forever.
THE SUPPORT OF THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA FOR THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES IN THE MUSLIM COUNTRY: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aware of its responsibilities towards Islamic countries spares no effort in using its own resources to enhance the development in these countries. Under the influence of these fraternal feelings the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia supported various Agricultural projects including Irrigation and soil reclamation, digging of wells, cultivation of some areas, production and processing of Vital crops, building Agricultural Dams besides developing roads, Railways, Ports and Airports.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia while extending these supports to the Muslim countries realises the fact that the positive aspects of the development shall not be limited to that particular Country but can be extended to other Islamic nations.
IN THE SPHERE OF INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION: The Kingdom is fully aware of the suffering of the developing countries due to economic crises as well as obligation towards them being a member of Human society, the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has provided substantial non-refundable Financial assistance for the victims of natural disaster and drought in the third world as well as supporting the development programmes for the refuges of Africa and Asia by digging up of wells and Dams to provide them with enough drinking water.
In addition to this relief Materials, Food stuff, Medical Supplies, Tents, Blankets, were given for those who were facing a harsh circumstances to shelter homeless and to alleviate their suffering. The Kingdom also support the refugees and contribute to the budget of the United Nations.
THE RELATIONS BETWEEN SAUDI ARABIA AND PAKISTAN: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan enjoy Special cordial relation since long period. Many nations in the world aspire for similar relations that links Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. This time tested and exemplary relationship increasing with every passing year due to special importance of the Leadership of both countries attach to it. The continued exchange of visits by the Leaders of both the countries and their identical views on many issues of the Muslim Ummah and relevant problems of the world made this friendship grow stronger and deeper.
Finally, I would like to extend my best wisher and felicitation on this memorable and historic day to the custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Fahad and his trusted Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and to the second deputy to the Council of Ministers and the Minister of Defence Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz and to the Dear people of Saudi Arabia.
I pray Al-mighty Allah to protect this wise Leadership the source of pride and glory for the sons of this purified country. Ameen.