LONDON: The Saudi British Society honored four cultural bridge-builders at a gala ceremony in London on Tuesday.
The 2025 Rawabi Holding Awards were presented to Dr. Idries Trevathan, Dr. Sarah Al-Saif, Dr. Mohammed Al-Qahtani and Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas in recognition of their efforts to promote friendship, understanding and positive relations between the two nations.
“It’s a very special occasion … that has now developed over nearly 30 years and has become an award of national standing,” said Sir Alan Munro, former British ambassador to Saudi Arabia and a founding member of the Saudi British Society.
In his opening remarks, Sir Alan, who is stepping down as vice chairman of the society, reflected on its growth from what he once described as a “society in the sand” to a flourishing platform for cultural and academic exchange. Most recently, the society has expanded its focus to recognize achievements in academia and scientific research, with two of this year’s awards going to individuals for outstanding contributions in these fields.
Established in 2007, the Rawabi Holding Awards, sponsored by Saudi energy and industrial conglomerate Rawabi Holding, celebrate Saudis and Britons who have strengthened cultural ties between the two countries. This year’s awards were presented by Rawabi Holding Chairman Abdulaziz Al-Turki in the presence of Simon Collis, former British ambassador to the Kingdom and current chairman of the Saudi British Society.
Dr. Idries Trevathan, a British-born Islamic art specialist and chief curator at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, or Ithra, in Dhahran, was recognized for his efforts in building collaborations between museums in the UK and Saudi Arabia.
A leading curator in Islamic art across Europe, North Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, Trevathan has worked to foster cultural exchange. His most recent project involved curating a retrospective on British photographer Peter Sanders, showcasing five decades of his work documenting the Muslim world.
“I’ve had the enormous benefit of being exposed to different faiths and cultures. And this exposure has ultimately allowed me a greater insight appreciation of different views and perspectives and cultures,” Trevathan said, describing his work as “building bridges of understanding, tolerance and mutual respect between the Muslim world and the West.”
Al-Saif and Al-Qahtani were recognized for their contribution to science and academia. Al-Saif’s research focuses on eco-friendly, biologically synthesized nanomaterials derived from marine sources to help address the World Health Organization’s call to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria. Al-Qahtani specializes in mechanical and manufacturing engineering, with expertise in additive manufacturing, biomedical devices, bio-manufacturing, tissue engineering and stress analysis optimization.
Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas was also honored for his contribution to the media industry and cross-cultural dialogue. Having spent part of his professional career in the UK, Abbas recently published his book, “Anecdotes of an Arab Anglophile,” which he describes as “a tale of two Kingdoms,” reflecting on his experiences and the enduring relationship between Saudi Arabia and Britain.
