THE EPIC BATTLE OF UNITY: THE FOUNDER REWRITING THE HISTORY OF THE ARABIAN PENINSULA
The epic battle of uniting the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which lasted over 30 years, is greatly known among historical battles. King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud won the battle that helped build a modern and strong state, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The victory plan
The plan dictated that King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud marches with his army at night from Kuwait to Riyadh. They would rest in the day and then divide the army into three groups.
The first group, comprised of 20 men, was assigned to be a backup group stationed by the camels. The second group comprised of 30 horsemen and led by the king’s brother Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman would wait outside the walls of Riyadh in the surrounding farms until they receive the order to attack. The third group comprised of 10 men and led by king Abdul Aziz was in charge of entering Riyadh at night.
King Abdul Aziz and his ten men entered the house of Ajlan bin Mohammed, prince of Riyadh at the time and didn’t find him. King Abdul Aziz then sent for his brother Mohammed and his men who were outside the walls to join him. Ajlan bin Mohammed then stepped out of the Masmak Palace with some of his men and the fight began until the palace guard surrendered and the victorious king entered the palace. It was announced in Riyadh that the ruling is for Allah then to Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Saud.
Unity and founding the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Reclaiming Riyadh was the first step in founding the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after which King Abdul Aziz fought many battles for expansion in different regions and beginning to spread peace and security among the peninsula.
Rabi Al-Awwal, 1320 Hijri was the first pledge for King Abdul Aziz and his father Imam Abdul Rahman bin Faisal gifted him the word of Saud the great. King Abdul Aziz never wavered afterwards to continue to move forward and build the country. Between 1321-1324 Hijri, he united different part of the Arabian Peninsula and joined them to the Saudi state following a number of fierce battles. He added the different part of the country to his kingdom and it was named the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after it was known as the Sultanate of Hijaz, Najd and surroundings. The founder, Abdul Aziz chose Thursday Jumada Al-Awwal 21st, 1351 Hijri, corresponding to September 23rd, 1923 to announce the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This date was later celebrated throughout the kingdom as a national day commemorating his memory and bravery and honoring what our ancestors did to establish a modern and great nation that Muslims’ hearts look to as a leader and protector.