The Saudi Flag: A Unique and Storied Symbol
By Zekeri Idakwo
The flag of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the most distinctive and recognisable flags in the world. It features a green background with a white Arabic inscription and a white sword.
The flag represents the history, religion and identity of the country that occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula.
The green colour of the flag is a symbol of Islam, the official religion of Saudi Arabia and the faith of its founder, King Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The special inscription on the flag is the Shahada or the Islamic declaration of faith which reads: “There is no God but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
The Shahada is considered to be the most important pillar of Islam and expresses the core belief of Muslims.
The sword on the flag represents the strength and justice of Saudi Arabia. It also commemorates the unification of the country by King Abdulaziz Al Saud who conquered various regions and tribes with his military campaigns in the early 20th century.
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According to findings, the sword was added to the flag in 1906 by King Abdulaziz himself.
Saudi Arabia’s emblem has a long and rich history that dates back to the 18th century. The flag was inspired by the banners used by the Wahhabi movement, a religious reformist group that sought to purify Islam from foreign influences and practices.
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According to information gathered by Economic Confidential, in 1926, King Abdulaziz Al Saud unified Najd with Hejaz, another region in western Arabia that contained the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Hejaz had its own flag which was red with a white crescent and star.
King Abdulaziz adopted a new flag for his Kingdom that combined elements from both flags: a green field with a white Shahada, a white sword and a white stripe on the hoist side.
In 1932, King Abdulaziz proclaimed the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which encompassed most of the Arabian Peninsula.
He made his flag the official national flag of his new country. In 1973, King Faisal modified the flag slightly by reducing the size of the inscription and straightening the sword.
The flag of Saudi Arabia is not only a national symbol but also a religious one. The flag is treated with great respect and reverence because of its sacred meaning.
It was gathered that the flag is never flown at half-mast, even in times of mourning, as this would be considered blasphemous.
The flag is also never used on clothing or other items that can be disrespectful or inappropriate. The flag is always displayed horizontally or diagonally, never vertically, as this would distort the inscription and the sword.
The flag of Saudi Arabia is a unique and storied symbol of the Kingdom that reflects its heritage, culture, and values.
The flag is a source of pride and unity for Saudis, who celebrate their national day on September 23 every year by waving their flags and expressing their patriotism.