اليوم الوطني السعودي: 93 عاماً من البناء والإنجازات

The Saudi people celebrate on the 22nd of February each year the anniversary of a historic day in the nation’s records, as on this day in 1937 AD, the royal decree was issued to unify the lands of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under one banner and one name.

In this context, His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said: “On this day, we renew the covenant and loyalty to our wise leadership and remember the sacrifices of fathers and grandfathers in unifying this blessed land.” He added: “February 22 represents a pivotal station in our national history, where the great dream of unifying the Kingdom was achieved by King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud – may God have mercy on him.”

According to official statistics, millions of citizens and residents participated in the official and popular celebrations organized on this occasion in various regions of the Kingdom. The capital, Riyadh, witnessed a majestic military parade in which units from all sectors of the armed forces participated, while various heritage and cultural events were held in public squares and parks.

It is worth noting that the royal decree issued on February 22, 1937 AD stipulated the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the name “Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”, the adoption of the Saudi flag in its current form, and the choice of September 23 of each year to be the National Day of the Kingdom.

رحبت المملكة العربية السعودية وجمهورية الهند، بتوسيع (مجلس الشراكة الإستراتيجية السعودي – الهندي) ليشمل أربع لجان وزارية، مما يعكس…

In an unprecedented achievement, young Saudi woman Maryam bint Khalid Al-Otaibi has developed a smart application aimed at facilitating the lives of people with special needs. This accomplishment comes as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to empower women in the field of technology and innovation.

Maryam, aged 27, holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from King Saud University. She began her journey in the world of technology at a young age, where she enjoyed designing websites and developing applications.

In 2022, Maryam participated in the “Special Needs Hackathon” organized by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). During this event, she presented the idea for the “Noor” application, which helps the visually impaired navigate independently within public buildings.

“My goal with this application was to empower people with special needs and make their lives easier,” says Maryam. “I was inspired by a personal experience with one of my relatives who suffers from visual impairment.”

The “Noor” application won first place in the competition and received widespread praise from the audience. It also attracted the attention of several major technology companies in the Kingdom.

According to official statistics, there are more than 3 million people with special needs in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aims to improve their quality of life and integrate them into society.

Commenting on Maryam’s achievement, Dr. Ahmed Al-Sabai’, advisor to the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, said: “We are proud of our young talents who contribute to building a promising digital future for the Kingdom. Maryam is a role model for ambitious Saudi women.”

Currently, Maryam is working on developing an advanced version of the “Noor” application in collaboration with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City. She also plans to launch a startup specializing in developing technological solutions for people with special needs.

“I aspire to be a role model for young Saudi women and encourage them to enter the field of technology,” Maryam concludes. “With knowledge and determination, nothing is impossible.”

Maryam’s success comes at a time when the Kingdom is seeking to enhance the role of women in various sectors, especially in the fields of science, technology, and innovation. Her achievement is expected to inspire a new generation of Saudi innovators.

On February 22, 2024, schools across Saudi Arabia engaged in intensive discussions on key educational issues, including academic integrity, the role of teachers in society, curricula, and standardized testing.

The Riyadh Education Administration emphasized the importance of promoting academic integrity among students, stressing the need to firmly address cheating. In a statement, the official spokesperson said: “We are implementing strict systems to maintain the integrity of exams and ensure equal opportunities for all students.”

The day also featured special events to celebrate teachers and honor their pivotal role in shaping future generations. Many schools organized cultural and artistic activities to express gratitude and appreciation for teachers, with the presence of parents and educational leaders.

In this context, several schools raised questions about their curricula, calling for their review and development to align with the requirements of the modern era. The importance of standardized tests as a tool for measuring academic achievement was also discussed, with an emphasis on the need to apply them fairly and transparently.

Meanwhile, some schools discussed issues related to educational resources, such as providing textbooks and modern learning tools, and the challenges they face in this regard.

These discussions come within the framework of ongoing efforts to develop the educational system in the Kingdom, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to build an educated generation capable of facing future challenges.

A recent study revealed that exercising for just 11 minutes daily can contribute to a longer life, according to CNN. The study highlighted that even simple daily movement, even for short periods, can have a significant positive impact on overall health. Experts emphasized that these findings come at a time when many are seeking effective ways to improve their quality of life without long time commitments. In a related context, the case of a runner who broke a world record in sprinting has sparked interest among scientists studying the impact of this exceptional performance on the human body. These studies are part of ongoing global efforts to understand the relationship between physical activity and health, and to determine the minimum effective amount of exercise needed to maintain fitness and well-being.

French star Karim Benzema continued his impressive form with his new club Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Professional League, scoring two goals in their 3-1 victory over Al-Fayha in the 16th round.

With this win, Al-Ittihad moved up to 26 points in sixth place, while Al-Fayha remained in eighth with 21 points.

Benzema (35) has shown high levels since joining Al-Ittihad from Real Madrid on a free transfer last summer, scoring 8 goals and providing 4 assists in 14 appearances across all competitions so far.

After the match, Benzema said: “I’m very happy with the win and scoring. I thank my teammates for their great effort. We are on the right track and look forward to more victories in the coming period.”

Al-Ittihad coach Nuno Santo praised the big role Benzema is playing for the team, saying: “Karim is a world-class player who makes the difference in every match. We are lucky to have him with us.”

Al-Ittihad hopes to continue its positive results and finish the season in one of the positions qualifying for the AFC Champions League next season, benefiting from the experience and abilities of its big French star Benzema.