Holiday declared for February 22: All public, private offices to remain closed

2026-02-18 - 07:33

RIYADH – The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development of Saudi Arabia has announced a public holiday on February 22, 2026, in celebration of the Saudi Founding Day. The announcement, reported by the Saudi Press Agency, confirmed that the holiday will apply to all government, private, and non-profit sector institutions. The holiday marks the establishment of the first Saudi state, which was founded 300 years ago. The official commemoration of the day was instituted by King Salman bin Abdulaziz, who issued a royal decree on January 27, 2022, to observe the day as Saudi Foundating Day. While Saudi Arabia’s National Day, which celebrates the founding of the third Saudi state, is observed every year on September 23, the Foundation Day commemorates the establishment of the first Saudi state, which was founded in 1727 by Imam Muhammad bin Saud.