Today we have a powerful desire to find a way to show our love, more than yesterday and incrementally tomorrow, such that it is more than what we desire today.

That happiness is originally experiencing the 90th anniversary of our country’s founding, may Allah have mercy on King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, the founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Countries all over the world celebrate their National Day as it symbolizes a day on which the nationhood of the country is marked.

Every year Saudi Arabia too marks Sept. 23 as its National Day, and we, Saudis, always focus on our big day with pride in our heart. I’m extremely blessed and proud to be a Saudi and we all should count it as a big blessing to belong to such a country like Saudi Arabia.

Being Saudi means we have to appreciate this unique identity and present it individually and collectively, by understanding others in order to have a better knowledge of oneself. For that, one needs to take extraordinary efforts to first know yourself, acknowledge your strength, and present ethics and value that will make you a standout — thus being adored and loved.

Our individual efforts, when collectively viewed, would present to the world our identity. I often wonder why when people view us, they think of oil only. It’s kind of funny, even skewed, as I think we need to be remembered by our true identity as an Arab.

And this identity of a proud Arab has come from the same place of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who gave the world The Message. Self-realization is the key that will unlock potential and we need to work on a number of things, individually and collectively, to define our identity.

In my point of view I think our personality matches our nationality, it’s not only about where we were born or our having a Saudi passport, but being a Saudi. And that means to be associated with your country the way you love your home. And we need to secure our nation as we do our home; by showing we belong to a home and be part of making that home.

Being motivated by National Day, I say we will support our country with all the means we possess; first and most important one being standing against those whom we can’t control. On our National Day we will be enjoying many events, in both governmental and private sectors, under the umbrella of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority.

There’ll be official holidays, colorful air shows, special offers on this special day, with people reflecting the nature of that day by wearing Saudi clothes and exuberantly celebrating in their own way. This deep relationship of Saudis with their country is a living example of their contribution in bringing about the nation’s transformation — from being a desert nation into one of most developed G20 countries in the world.

This year is all the more special as the that Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has assumed the G20 presidency and has excelled in carrying the world together in the preparatory stage with their dynamism amid a global crises. Our identity is also shaped by one of the most stirring national anthem in the world for I believe we have one of the most wonderful, beautiful and inspiring anthem in the world

It evokes in me pride and vigor whenever I listen to it. And I believe every Saudi will become emotive when they hear it. My nationalism wells over, and it makes me feel like that this is the anthem of Allah’s Kingdom for the Islamic world. I end my writing by wishing my country the very best of everything and a successful future in all aspects. I also wish good health to King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, may Allah bless them.

— The writer can be reached on Twitter: @moionlynoor