JEDDAH — Al Waha International School celebrated the 88th Saudi National Day with unprecedented patriotic fervor on Tuesdaylast. The gamut of celebration activities held on both the campuses consisted of special morning assemblies and extended day long celebrations commemorating the past heritage of Saudi Arabia and lauding the present-day developments. Saudi National Day is celebrated in Saudi Arabia Sept. 23 to mark the renaming of the Kingdom of Najd and Hejaz to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by a royal decree from King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud in 1932.

In the Boys’ Section, following the recitation of verses from the Noble Qur’an, a National Day message was delivered by the Principal Saleh Al Ghamdi. To the surprise and total delight of the students and staff a grand part of the celebration came in the form of a drone that hovered in the sky above the school premises, proudly displaying the Saudi flag.

On the school ground, a desert tent furnished in traditional style with a carpet, ‘majlis’ and pitchers of ‘qahwa’ (Arabic coffee), a stately camel harnessed to a pillar and other typical adornments provided the finishing touches to the look of a Saudi village that was set up to pay homage to this significant day of the national calendar. Groups of students handed around trays of scrumptious traditional Arab food, sweets and drinks throughout the day. The school Chairman Zia Nadwi, completed this picture by holding aloft an arm on which perched a proud falcon, the national bird of Saudi Arabia.

In the campus housing the Junior School (KG1 – Grade 3), and the Girls’ Section (Grades 4 – 12) too, a bustling Saudi village was set up in the spacious grounds became the nerve center of a major part of the festivities to celebrate this occasion. To add authenticity to the setting, students in Saudi attire, dressed as merchants, moved around the marketplace where delectable Arabic sweets, home grown dates, mellow cheese and Qahwa were offered to all visitors. A Henna stall and the presence of a camel and goats completed the scenario that the school strove to create.

The Junior School, classrooms were decorated with green and white balloons and a special morning assembly was conducted to engage and immerse them in the spirit of national fervor. Next came a trip to the Saudi Village, followed by class activities to continue the celebrations. While KG1 and KG2 children made cards symbolic of the Saudi National Day, KG3 & Grade 1 children industriously colored the Saudi flag and National emblem in their classrooms.

Grade 2 & Grade 3 children were given age-appropriate comprehension passages with information about Saudi Arabia and the Saudi National Day, and they were shown a presentation about Saudi Arabia and the Vision 2030. The icing on the cake was an enthralling program that consisted of groups of students performing a sword dance, a skit and singing patriotic song including the national anthem.

In the Girls’ Section (Grades 4-12), the events commenced in the auditorium with the recitation of Qur’anic verses and the students singing the Saudi National Anthem with zeal. Paintings and artwork done by the Middle School girls, depicting Saudi heritage and culture, were displayed all around the auditorium which added to the festivity of the occasion.

The program then displayed skillfully prepared shadow play, Sands of Time, that depicted the time line of the development of this nation from humble beginnings into the modern bustling economy that it is today. It portrayed the milestones in history of the rich past and the holistic development in a progressive environment provided to its youth in the present. This was followed by motivational speeches given by Principal Mrs. Eman Assmman and Mrs. Oula Fawal, headmistress, (Grades 4-12), lauding the efforts of Crown Prince in his Vision 2030 and the participation of all staff and students in celebrating Saudi National Day.

The scene of action then shifted to the traditional Saudi village, depicting the cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia, which was officially inaugurated jointly by the Chairman’s wife, Mrs. Muslima Hafiz, and Mrs. Rubab Azad, member of the Board of Directors. They were greeted by the office bearers of the Student Council and then taken around the different stalls, pausing to enjoy the various points of historical and cultural interest. A running commentary, in English as well as Arabic, ensured a continuous flow of background information.

As this exciting day neared its end, the same thought resonated in the hearts and minds of all the members of the Al Waha family.....may Allah SWT continue to bless this great nation, Ameen!