Some 500 Malaysians celebrated their 56th National Day on 31 August 2013 at the Malaysian Embassy on Saturday.
Ambassador Professor Datuk Syed Omar Al-Saggaf explained that Malaysia also habitually celebrates Eid Al-Fitr over a period of one month. On this occasion, many Malaysians hold an open house at their homes for anyone to attend.
Ambassador Al-Saggaf thanked the Saudi leadership for their help and cooperation in boosting bilateral ties between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.
A celebration for the diplomatic community will be held at a later date.
“Malaysia is riding the crest of a strong economy and as we mark our National Day,I feel patriotism in my heart,” said Mixlin Toh, a nurse at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center. She said able to taste Malaysian food at the event, which her mother used to cook back home. 
Debra Benjamin, also at nurse at the hospital, added, “Attending this celebration makes me feel homesick and my mind drifts back home as I taste Malaysian food,” she said. 
Sartini Roeza Santi, who works at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, also expressed happiness that she had been invited to the celebration. “I have been able to meet fellow Malaysians for the first time who share the same value of patriotism and culture,” she said
.