RIYADH: King Salman was pronounced winner of the King Faisal International Prize (KFIP) for his service to Islam at an event held in Riyadh on Tuesday.
Makkah Governor Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, adviser to the king, CEO of the King Faisal Foundation and chairman of the KFIP Commission, made the opening speech to announce the winners at a press briefing at Al-Khozama Center.
The award ceremony was attended by members of the selection committees, leading scholars, scientists, intellectuals and media representatives.
Prince Khalid said King Salman’s award was in recognition of his commitment to serving the two Holy Mosques and their visitors and pilgrims.
“He was my model and mentor,” the prince said, wishing him longevity and good health.
The prize for Islamic studies was awarded to Ridwan Al-Sayyid, a professor at the University of Lebanon, for his research and studies of Arabic Islamic jurisprudential and political heritage.
The prize for Arabic language and literature was awarded to the Arabic Language Academy of Jordan, for its efforts to transfer science and technology via translation, Arabize technical terms, publish specialized glossaries and make Arabic a language of instruction.
Tadamitsu Kishimoto, professor of immunology at Osaka University, Japan, was named winner of the prize for medicine.