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Feb. 22 was the country’s Founding Day, which was announced by the Saudi leadership as a national occasion to be celebrated every year.

This is an accurate documentation of the age of the First Saudi State, which Imam Muhammad bin Saud founded in 1727, or about 300 years ago, its rule alternating between 15 imams and kings from the Saudi ruling house.

Diriyah, the capital of the first state, was called Al-'Auja (crooked) because of the crookedness of Wadi Hanifah near that place, and from this came the naming of the Saudi rulers as Ahl Al-’Auja (the people of Al-Auja).

In the early days of bin Saud’s reign, he united Diriyah and strengthened it to be the state's capital. 

He worked on its stability, securing trade and pilgrimage routes for those coming from the south and east of the Arabian Peninsula and also from its north and west. 

He also removed the barriers between him and his citizens, then formed legislative, executive, and judicial powers and appointed judges and scholars. After almost 18 years of statehood, he protected the reform mission. 

Diriyah also witnessed a renaissance in writing and manuscript preparation. The third imam, Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Muhammad, was keen to go to the scholars of Najd and Hijaz and to debate the scholars from Morocco and Egypt. 

In the first period of the governance of Makkah and Madinah, the imams of the Saudi state led and supervised the pilgrimage and changed the Kaaba's Kiswa.

The First Saudi State also fought against extremism.

What disturbed the Ottoman state was that Saudi reform was based on moderation, not authoritarianism, oppression and the imposition of opinion by force. There are books that explain the approach and doctrine of the Saudis at that time.

Bin Saud, founder of the Saudi ruling house, was known for his devotion, patience, charity, and generosity. 

His personality was respected and appreciated by the tribal and urban leaders in the Arabian Peninsula. 

His reputation enabled him to build a unified state and forge a large and influential popular hub after a period of marginalization, disunity, and conflict. 

The disunity in the Arabian Peninsula extended for 1,000 years, specifically since the transfer of the caliphate's capital from Madinah during the time of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib.

Bin Saud’s vision was based on unity, change, evolution, and development. It was completely independent in managing various affairs concerned with the development of economic wealth by investing in agriculture and trade, and he was keen on regional security and on helping neighbors in controlling their sovereign affairs.

Founding Day comes as a source of pride in the state and its history, and a dedication to the unity that Saudis have participated in for its achievement.

• Dr. Bader bin Saud is a weekly columnist for Al Riyadh and Okaz, a media and knowledge management researcher, and the former deputy commander of the Special Forces for Hajj and Umrah in ºÚÁÏÉçÇø.