Other nations and peoples have their own days that for them bear distinctive material values; our national day, however, is a full chronicle in which material and moral values come together; it embodies an epic of which the hero, King Abdul Aziz the founder and Falcon of the Peninsula, along with his courageous champions-our-ancestors- had undertaken to establish this nation and unify it under the banner of faith. Those were the “men who have been true to their covenant with Allah.” Just as the National Day has been the crowning of the march for unity and faith, it has also been the launching stage for another achievement: the enhancement of the growth and development of a modern State, and the defense of its spiritual faith, borders, and citizens. This year of the National Day anniversary comes as our Islamic nation suffers well-known difficulties and turmoil. Yet, our homeland, thanks be to Almighty Allah, is firmly secure against such political difficulties and the destructions that some countries in our region have unfortunately suffered. Again, with the grace of Allah, the prudence of our leadership, and the insightful awareness of our people, our country remains invulnerable to all such evils, extending the hand of help to the needy and offering free relief to the afflicted. Such philanthropic stance emanates from the instructions of our true faith as it urges us to further enhance the bonds of fraternity and warm ties among Muslims. As the holy Quran has it: “The Believers are but A single Brotherhood; So make peace and Reconciliation between your Two (contending ) brothers; And fear God, that ye May receive Mercy.” --More 13:43 LOCAL TIME 10:43 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w