Saudi king extends National Day holiday

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has ordered the extension of the kingdom’s National Day holiday to Monday.

Workers in the kingdom were originally due to receive Sunday, September 23 off to mark the occasion, the Ministry of Civil Services said last week.

Read: Saudi workers to get day off for National Day

The extension to Monday, September 24 will mean a two-day break for the kingdom’s labour force.

“On the occasion of the National Day, which is on Sunday 13/1/1440 H corresponding to September 23, 2018, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ordered the extension of the National Day’s holiday for one day to include Monday, 14/14 / 1440H corresponding to September 24, 2018,” Saudi Press Agency reported.

A later tweet from Saudi Press Agency appeared to confirm that Monday would be a day off for banks and financial firms in the kingdom.

#مؤسسة_النقد : يوم غد الأثنين 1440/1/14هـ الموافق 2018/9/24م إجازة رسمية لجميع المؤسسات المالية التي تشرف عليها المؤسسة.#اليوم_الوطني88#السعودية#عاجل_واس

— واس (@spagov) September 23, 2018

National day celebrations are held every year to commemorate the formation of the kingdom in 1932 by King Abdulaziz following a series of victories over neighbouring tribes.

Celebrations over the weekend included street parades and other festivities.

King Salman ordered the release of all prisoners held in cases relating to insolvency in the province of Taif to mark the occasion.