A Saudi girl waves a national flag during celebrations of the 81st Saudi Arabian National Day in the desert kingdoms capital Riyadh on September 23, 2011.

Saudi Arabia marks September 23 as its National Day after its late founder and King Abdulaziz al-Saud united the country on this date in 1932 and declared the country a Kingdom.

This year, Saudi Arabia is celebrating its 83rd National Day, but what distinguishes celebrations this time around is that it falls on the same day as Eid al-Adha, one of two Islamic holidays celebrated annually.

This is the first time both occasions coincide according to the astronomical calendar and not according to moon sighting as Saudi Arabia declared the first day of Eid al-Adha will be on September 24.

In all cases, many Saudis are viewing the two occasions coinciding with one another as a good omen.

Fahed al-Shaheri, an English teacher, told Al Arabiya News: “In such cases, the happiness is double. This is in addition to saving time and effort which are usually divided among occasions when they fall on separate dates.”

Shaheri said that he was one of those who celebrate National Day their way, adding that he urges his students to celebrate this occasion in a constructive and proper manner.

On how to celebrate National Day if it coincides with either of the Muslim Eids in Saudi Arabia, Abdulrahman al-Asmari, a Saudi media figure, said: “It’s a good occasion that the National Day coincides with Eid al-Fitr or with Eid al-Adha because we’d then be celebrating an Eid that’s (a source) of joy for Muslims and we’d also be celebrating the Eid of this country which we were raised in. Truth be told, our celebration of National Day only represents a simple and humble part of the affection we have towards (Saudi Arabia).”

According to astronomical calculations, the occasion of National Day falling on the same day as Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha has never happened before and might not happen again for a very long time.

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