Riyadh governor to attend King Faisal Prize ceremony on Monday

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Updated 16 April 2024
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Riyadh governor to attend King Faisal Prize ceremony on Monday

  • The King Faisal Prize was established in 1977, and was given for the first time in 1979 in three categories: service to Islam, Islamic studies, and Arabic language and literature

RIYADH: Under the patronage of King Salman and on his behalf, Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar will attend a ceremony on Monday to present awards for laureates of the 46th King Faisal Prize in the capital.

The King Faisal Prize general secretariat earlier announced the winners for the 46th session in 2024. The service to Islam prize was jointly awarded to the Japan Muslim Association and Dr. Mohammad Al-Sammak of Lebanon.

The Islamic studies prize was granted to Dr. Wael Hallaq, a US national, while the Arabic language and literature prize was withheld.

Dr. Jerry Roy Mendell, a US national, was granted the medicine prize, while Dr. Howard Yuan-Hao Chang, another US national, won the science prize.

The King Faisal Prize was established in 1977, and was given for the first time in 1979 in three categories: service to Islam, Islamic studies, and Arabic language and literature.

Two additional categories were introduced in 1981 — medicine and science. The first medicine prize was awarded in 1982, and in science two years later.

Since 1979, prizes have been awarded to 295 laureates from 45 countries who have made distinguished contributions to different sciences and causes.

Each laureate is endowed with $200,000; a 24-carat gold medal weighing 200 grams, and a certificate inscribed with the laureate’s name and a summary of the work that qualified them for recognition.

 


King Abdulaziz Foundation reveals rare images from king’s 1916 Basra visit

Updated 20 December 2025
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King Abdulaziz Foundation reveals rare images from king’s 1916 Basra visit

  • Photographs form part of a wider collection documented by British photographer Gertrude Bell

RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Foundation has revealed archival photographs documenting King Abdulaziz’s tour of the outskirts of Basra in 1916, a visit that came at an early stage of his efforts to build regional relationships.

One of the photographs, taken by British photographer Gertrude Bell, shows King Abdulaziz standing with his men in the Basra desert, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The image reflects his early political and diplomatic engagement in the region, as he sought to strengthen ties with neighboring areas and engage with the wider Arab and international community, SPA added.

The photograph forms part of a wider collection documented by Bell, which records key developments and transformations across the Arabian Peninsula during the early 20th century.

The Basra visit holds particular significance in King Abdulaziz’s journey as a unifying leader. 

Rather than crossing borders in pursuit of power, the visit reflected an approach focused on stability, cooperation and long-term regional harmony, laying the groundwork for a leadership style defined by pragmatism and openness, SPA said.