Rajab 1383 AH — 1964 AD
“Our beloved people,”
“It brings us great joy and deep satisfaction to speak to you on this day, marking the tenth anniversary of our assumption of responsibility for the affairs of the state. In the history of nations, there are occasions and events that illuminate their path and define the milestones of their journey toward achieving their glory and fulfilling their aspirations.”
“It is fitting for every rising nation to pause on such occasions to reflect on the distance it has traveled, the stages it has completed, the successes it has achieved, and the obstacles it has encountered — drawing from its past the lessons and strength needed to advance toward its goals.”
“We begin by praising God for His countless blessings and sending prayers and peace upon His Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. It is by God’s grace that we have been restored to health and returned safely to our dear homeland and loyal people, ready to continue our mission in the service of religion and country.”
“We invoke God’s mercy upon the renewer of our glory and the founder of our renaissance — our father, His Majesty King Abdulaziz Al‑Faisal — may God grant him eternal rest in the gardens of bliss.”
A Decade of Governance
“Since divine providence and the pledge of allegiance entrusted us with the reins of leadership, we have endeavored to administer the affairs of the nation guided by the Book of God, the Sunnah of His Messenger, and the path of the righteous predecessors. There are no principles more noble than Islam — the embodiment of truth and justice.”
“We have followed the footsteps of the founder of the Kingdom, King Abdulaziz — may God have mercy on him — in upholding the word of truth, spreading justice, ensuring security and stability, and providing the means of progress and prosperity across all fields.”
“As a result of this policy, the state has completed numerous defense, cultural, developmental, health, agricultural, and social projects over the past ten years — projects that have improved the well‑being of the people and raised their standard of living.”
“Our nation is not merely advancing — it is leaping forward with powerful strides, as though in a race with time.”
The Holy Cities and the Hejaz Railway
“Given the sacred status of Mecca and Medina in our hearts and in the hearts of Muslims worldwide, the state has devoted great care to their development, restoring their role as beacons of light and guidance. Many projects have already been completed, and more are underway to ensure that the holy sites are worthy of their spiritual significance.”
“In pursuit of this goal, we reached an agreement with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Syrian Arab Republic to revive the Hejaz Railway — to serve pilgrims and stimulate trade.”
Relations with the Islamic World
“Our Islamic nation is committed to strengthening bonds of love and cooperation with all peoples — especially Muslim nations — in all fields that serve religion and worldly welfare.”
“We have sought every means to deepen these ties, cooperating with Muslim countries to resolve their issues and fulfill their aspirations. We exchanged delegations, supported the establishment of the Muslim World League, and founded the Islamic University in Medina to educate students from across the Muslim world in Islamic sciences and Arabic civilization.”
Arab Unity and Regional Challenges
“Since the establishment of the Saudi state, our government has worked to strengthen relations with Arab nations. We have supported the Arab renaissance and cooperated sincerely with Arab governments and peoples on the basis of mutual interests and respect for sovereignty.”
“We have participated actively in the Arab League and the United Nations to support the struggles of Arab nations for freedom and independence. We have stood by our Arab brothers in every hardship, bearing sacrifices willingly out of deep conviction in the unity of Arab destiny.”
“We have always adhered to a policy of non‑interference in the internal affairs of Arab states, believing that each nation alone has the right to determine its own destiny.”
“It pains us deeply to witness the deterioration of Arab relations in recent times — to the point where Arab blood is being shed by Arab hands, weakening the Arab front and distancing it from its aspirations for unity and strength.”
The Yemen Crisis
“Since the events in Yemen last year, we have worked to stop the bloodshed among brothers. Our position has been that Yemen’s internal affairs concern the Yemeni people alone. We condemned all foreign intervention and warned of the dangers of escalating the conflict through the influx of weapons and fighters.”
“Some parts of our country were attacked because of our stance. When an agreement was reached to end external involvement, we honored it — though the other party did not. Out of our desire to restore peace, we agreed to extend the agreement for two more months, hoping to allow Yemenis to resolve their differences independently.”
“We call upon Arab leaders to resolve their disputes, heal their divisions, and open a new chapter of sincere cooperation based on the eternal Islamic heritage and the natural bonds that unite us.”
International Relations and Global Peace
“Our relations with the wider world have been guided by our sincere desire for fruitful cooperation, global peace, disarmament, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.”
“We call for redirecting the vast sums wasted on armaments and destructive propaganda toward combating poverty, ignorance, and underdevelopment.”
“We oppose colonialism in all its forms and uphold the right of nations to self‑determination. We support strengthening international organizations that work for peace and human welfare.”
“We welcome the signing of the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and hope it marks the beginning of a new era of cooperation among nations.”
“We have resumed diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom and France after the reasons for severing them were removed, hoping this will open a new chapter of balanced cooperation.”
Palestine, Oman, and al‑Buraimi
“We continue to give the al‑Buraimi dispute our full attention, hoping that efforts within the United Nations will restore rights to their rightful owners.”
“We remember today our Palestinian brothers — victims of injustice, dispossession, and the violation of their sanctities. Palestinians living among us enjoy full dignity and equality with Saudi citizens.”
“We remain committed to their right to their homeland, to restoring what was taken from them, and to achieving a just solution that brings peace to the region.”
“We also support our brothers in Oman in their struggle for self‑determination, in accordance with international principles.”
A Closing Message to the Nation
“We thank God for enabling us over the past ten years to serve the message of Islam, uphold justice, and remain committed to truth. We pray that He grants us health and strength to continue serving our loyal people and our noble nation.”
“As is our custom on this anniversary, we have ordered the release of prisoners detained for inability to repay debts or blood money, and we will cover the amounts owed. We have also ordered the release of those imprisoned for minor offenses.”
“We ask God to guide us to what serves our country and our people.”
“Peace and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.”