(Umm al‑Qurā, Issue No. 1597, 15 Jumada I 1375 AH / 30 December 1955 CE)
The truth is that the period through which the Arab nation is passing today is a tremendous test of its resolve, the strength of its will, and the depth of its national consciousness. Events in recent years have demonstrated that the Arab peoples are indeed worthy of bearing the responsibility they now seek to shoulder, and of fulfilling the mission they have appointed themselves to undertake in the cause of freedom—a cause for which the Arabs have struggled for half a century.
The events, portents, and recurring uprisings in every corner of the great Arab homeland today stand as evidence of the existence of this spirit and of the necessity of holding fast to it. The Arabs have now reached a level of national awareness regarding their unity and cohesion that, regrettably, friendly Western nations have not yet fully understood. The Arabs express their aspirations, hopes, and pains through every peaceful means, and in doing so they desire that their friends not disregard these sentiments. Yet the prevailing indications suggest that long stages still lie ahead before the West comes to appreciate these feelings and this consciousness.
Whatever the case may be, it is incumbent upon us all—through unity, understanding, and cooperation—to strive toward our natural and peaceful objectives, and toward our shared goal: the comprehensive and general Arab unity for which we work. We seek through this unity nothing but that the Arabs may live in their lands free and honored, contributing through their efforts to the building of world peace and the advancement of a sound global civilization, for the progress, prosperity, and happiness of humanity everywhere.
I testify before God that the Arab nation, in every part of its vast domains, has proven—through every act of liberation it has undertaken—that it is worthy of honor and dignity, and that it is one nation and one people, no matter how distant its lands or expansive its territories. Duty now requires the leaders and statesmen of this nation—those entrusted with the responsibility of this great honor of leadership—to embody the true and sincere spirit of Arab nationalism, and to serve as worthy examples of this Arab spirit that surges in the hearts of the millions of Arabs today, striving everywhere to build the unity in which they believe and which they seek to achieve.