The Saudi Student Association at Wayne State University is inviting the public to a free celebration of the Saudi National Day on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 3 to 7 p.m. in the WSU Student Center Ballroom.

Saudi food and culture will be a major focus of the event, which will offer gifts, an abundance of national delicacies and drinks, folk art activities, opportunities to don Saudi clothing and jewelry, and informative displays on the country's history, religious observances and social customs.

Saudi National Day, which falls each year on Sept. 23, commemorates the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the late King Ibn Saud in 1932. Esam Suliman Qattan, president of the Saudi Student Association, said the event is a chance for Saudis to educate and entertain.

"We are looking forward to bringing people together to have fun and to learn about the Saudi people - their past, present and future," said Qattan, noting that exhibits on Saudi culture will range from traditional crafts, such as weaving, woodwork and basketmaking, to modern developments such as the kingdom's information technology revolution. "We hope to show people the diversity of our country."

One of the university's most active student groups, the 250-member Saudi Student Association hosts a National Saudi Day celebration each year in addition to celebrations for Eid-Alfitr and Eid-Aladha. Student receptions and orientation sessions are held every semester for new students from Saudi Arabia.

Wayne State enjoys a large population of Saudi students, many of whom begin their studies at the university's English Language Institute (ELI). Almost half of all ELI students come from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.