DANCING IN THE STREETS: SAUDI NATIONAL DAY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 001480

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2017
TAGS: ECON KWMN PGOV PHUM KMPI KPAO SOCI SA
SUBJECT: DANCING IN THE STREETS: SAUDI NATIONAL DAY
REVEALS YOUTHFUL ENERGY, PATRIOTISM IN THE KINGDOM

Classified By: Charge D'Affaires David Rundell
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Saudi National Day was observed September 23
with unprecedented celebration in the Kingdom. Unlike
previous years, which saw a more somber observance of the
day, this year's anniversary of the unification of the
Kingdom was a joyous display of nationalism, particularly
among the youth population, and for the first time, young
women. Only a few weeks earlier the Grand Mufti declared
valid only the two Eid celebrations, discouraging all other
holidays as un-Islamic. Many Saudis, some local
publications, as well as blogs expressed surprise and delight
at the fervor, while others lamented that the pace of reform
remains slow. End summary.

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Country's 78th anniversary, holiday's fourth
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2. (C) National Day in Saudi Arabia is September 23,
commemorating the unification of the country by King Abdul
Aziz in 1932. For years the date was celebrated only by
Saudi embassies abroad, which hosted national day events
mirroring the standard practice of other embassies. However,
in 2005 King Abdullah declared the date a national holiday to
be celebrated domestically. This coincided both with the
country's 75th anniversary and the year he acceded to power.
Many Saudis have frowned on the celebration of national
holidays since it allegedly divides the worldwide community
of Muslims (ummah) and distracts believers from the two main
Islamic feasts of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The latter
justification often has been cited to oppose celebrating
birthdays, anniversaries, and foreign holidays. In fact,
however, more Saudis have celebrated the new holiday with
increasing fervor each year since 2005.

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Remarkable public celebration in conservative
capital includes Saudi women for the first time
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3. (C) This year official observances were organized by
municipalities throughout the country, but most noteworthy
was the youth participation in the civic holiday. Only weeks
after Saudi Grand Mufti Abdulaziz Al Sheikh declared any
celebration apart from the two Eid holidays to be un-Islamic,
Saudi citizens took to the streets in large numbers to
demonstrate their patriotism (or at least have fun). Across
the country, young men and women painted their cars and faces
with the Saudi flag, and some even wore the flag as a cape
draped across their backs. One observer in Riyadh said, "I
have never seen anything like it, there were people on skates
going up and down the street and cars honking, no one could
even move. The youth are so thirsty for expression, for
something to celebrate." While this kind of behavior happens
occasionally in some other Arab capitals (e.g., after big
soccer wins),the sight of Saudi female young adults riding
up and down Riyadh's main thoroughfares with their faces
covered only in green paint was remarkable.


4. (C) A seemingly surprised Saudi community embraced the
nationalistic enthusiasm. Mainstream publications, including
the English Language Saudi Gazette and several Arabic
language dailies published pictures and articles about the
festivities. Many in the online community also commented
favorably on personal blogs about the celebration.
Nevertheless, some young liberal Saudis lamented publicly
that life was not changing fast enough. The author of one
site, Saudijeans.com, wrote: "the country is changing, but
at a glacial pace that is leaving me and many others dejected
and frustrated. It is just disheartening to move in slow
baby steps when we can -- and should -- take leaps ahead to
the future." Many of the talkback comments to this and
similar posts expressed aligning views.


5. (C) Reportedly the Mutaween of the SAG Committee for the
Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (CPVP) was
deployed in force, but observers say they were unable to
squelch the revelry. A few young men were arrested for
breaking traffic rules and approximately 35 cars were
impounded. The daily pan-Arab newspaper Al-Hayat reported
September 25 that the CPVP prevented the Ha'il Literary
Women's Club from hosting a children's event on the occasion
of Saudi National Day in one of that town's commercial malls.

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This is a good sign for this country
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6. (C) Comment: The outpouring of youth and celebration,

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particularly by young women, was novel in 2008. In a country
where nearly 70% of the population is under 30 years old,
soaring nationalist pride among this age-group is a notably
good sign for the country's future and for U.S. interests.
For its part, the SAG is pouring billions of riyals (more
than $1 billion) into youth programs, particularly
educational scholarships. However, patriotism may not
account for all of the energetic displays on National Day.
During the celebrations Arab News attempted to interview
approximately 50 youths on the holiday's meaning. Many
declined to comment, citing lack of knowledge of the history
of the day, or confessing to believe that observation of a
civic holiday contravenes Islamic traditions. End comment.
RUNDELL