King Faisal Prize to announce 2025 winners on Wednesday

King Faisal Prize was established by the King Faisal Foundation in 1977 and was granted for the first time in 1979. (Supplied)
King Faisal Prize was established by the King Faisal Foundation in 1977 and was granted for the first time in 1979. (Supplied)
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Updated 06 January 2025

King Faisal Prize to announce 2025 winners on Wednesday

King Faisal Prize was established by the King Faisal Foundation in 1977 and was granted for the first time in 1979. (Supplied)
  • Selection committees start meetings to select winners in Islamic studies, Arabic language & literature, medicine and science

RIYADH: The names of the King Faisal Prize winners for 2025 will be announced on Jan. 8 in Riyadh.

Ahead of the event, specialized selection committees for the prize’s four categories — Islamic studies, Arabic language and literature, medicine and science — convened at the prize’s headquarters starting Monday, the General Secretariat of King Faisal Prize said.

Deliberations will continue through Jan. 8, it added.

The General Secretariat had previously announced the themes for the KFP 2025: Islamic studies focuses on Studies of Archaeology in the Arabian Peninsula, Arabic language and literature explores Studies of Identity in Arabic Literature, medicine highlights Cellular Therapy and Science centers on Physics.

Nominations for the prize are accepted by universities, research centers and scientific institutions, ensuring that nominees meet rigorous criteria.

Candidates must be living, and their work must already be published, intellectually impactful and beneficial to humanity’s progress. Nominations from individuals or political groups are not accepted, the secretariat said.

This year, the selection committees include prominent experts, scholars and specialists from 16 different countries. The evaluation process adheres to the highest standards of integrity.

The announcement of the winners will be made by the General Secretariat on Jan. 8 at 8:00 p.m. during a ceremony at the Prince Sultan Grand Hall in the Al-Faisaliah Center, Riyadh.

The KFP was established by the King Faisal Foundation in 1977 and was granted for the first time in 1979.


KSrelief concludes surgery project for burns and disfigurement in Port Sudan

KSrelief concludes surgery project for burns and disfigurement in Port Sudan
Updated 45 min 3 sec ago

KSrelief concludes surgery project for burns and disfigurement in Port Sudan

KSrelief concludes surgery project for burns and disfigurement in Port Sudan
  • 17 volunteers from various medical specialties participated in the initiative 
  • Team performed 92 specialized surgeries and gave training to 40 Sudanese medics

PORT SUDAN: 's King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has concluded its volunteer plastic surgery medical project in Port Sudan, Sudan, offering treatment to patients with burns and disfigurements.
Seventeen volunteers from various medical specialties in the Kingdom participated in the initiative, which ran from September 13 to 20, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The team performed 92 specialized surgeries, all of which were successful, and trained 40 Sudanese medical personnel, the report said.
The project was part of ’s ongoing voluntary medical initiatives through KSrelief, aimed at assisting needy and affected communities around the world.

A young Sudanese receives treatment at a hospital in Port Sudan during the KSrelief medical mission. (SPA)

Since it establishment as 's main humanitarian aid group in 2015, KSrelief has delivered 172 aid projects to 33 nations on across the world, with Yemen as the largest beneficiary.
The other major beneficiaries were Syria, Palestine, Somalia, Pakistan and Sudan.
KSrelief worked in partnership with 98 humanitarian partners in carrying out projects on food security, shelter, camp coordination and management, education, protection, early recovery, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, emergency communications, logistics and coordination and other vital support for a variety of humanitarian operations.


welcomes recognition of Palestine by four Western states

 welcomes recognition of Palestine by four Western states
Updated 21 September 2025

welcomes recognition of Palestine by four Western states

 welcomes recognition of Palestine by four Western states
  • The UK and Canada became the first G7 countries to take the step

RIYADH: on Sunday welcomed the decision by the UK, Australia, Canada and Portugal to recognize the State of Palestine, calling it an important step toward advancing the peace process.

The Kingdom said the move demonstrated the “serious commitment of friendly countries” to supporting efforts for a two-state solution in line with international legitimacy resolutions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It added that it hopes more countries will follow suit and take further positive measures that would help the Palestinian people achieve their aspirations to live in peace and enable the Palestinian Authority to carry out its responsibilities, SPA added.

reiterated its position in support of a just and comprehensive settlement that ensures security, stability and prosperity for the Palestinian people.

Britain, Australia, Canada and Portugal on Sunday recognized a Palestinian state in a seismic shift in decades of Western foreign policy.

The UK and Canada became the first G7 countries to take the step, with France and other nations expected to follow at the annual UN General Assembly which opens Monday in New York.


King Faisal University recognized as ‘Innovation District’ at Beijing conference

King Faisal University recognized as ‘Innovation District’ at Beijing conference
Updated 21 September 2025

King Faisal University recognized as ‘Innovation District’ at Beijing conference

King Faisal University recognized as ‘Innovation District’ at Beijing conference
  • King Faisal University’s membership in IASP positions it within a distinguished global network of science and innovation hubs

RIYADH: King Faisal University has been formally admitted as an “Innovation District” by the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation.

The announcement was made during the 42nd IASP World Conference on Science Parks and Areas of Innovation, held in Beijing, China, from Sept. 15-19. 

Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Lily,  vice president for postgraduate studies and scientific research and acting head of the innovation and business development sector, accepted the designation on behalf of King Faisal University.

Al-Lily praised the recognition as an important achievement for the university and reaffirmed its commitment to advancing research and innovation in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

He added that the Innovation District status strengthens the university’s role within global research and innovation networks and creates new opportunities for collaboration with leading institutions worldwide.

King Faisal University’s membership in IASP positions it within a distinguished global network of science and innovation hubs.

This milestone also underscores the steadfast support of the Council of Universities’ Affairs and the Research, Development and Innovation Authority, whose efforts are empowering Saudi universities to emerge as drivers of knowledge and innovation, contributing to strengthening the Kingdom’s presence on the global innovation map.

 


Darah publishes book on ’s National Day history

The publication is a new addition to Darah’s extensive collection of works specializing in history and heritage. (SPA)
The publication is a new addition to Darah’s extensive collection of works specializing in history and heritage. (SPA)
Updated 21 September 2025

Darah publishes book on ’s National Day history

The publication is a new addition to Darah’s extensive collection of works specializing in history and heritage. (SPA)
  • National Day celebrations have witnessed a significant evolution consistent with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030

RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, also known as Darah, has published a book documenting the history of ’s National Day celebrations, from the era of founding King Abdulaziz to the times of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

The book documents the origins and stages of the National Day celebration, based on official documents, sources, and national archives.

It features photographs capturing popular and official celebrations held across various royal eras.

The publication is a new addition to Darah’s extensive collection of works specializing in history and heritage. (SPA)

The publication explores the early beginnings of celebrations during the reign of King Abdulaziz and sees the history through to its culmination in the prosperous reign of King Salman.

National Day celebrations have witnessed a significant evolution consistent with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The book highlights both official functions and people’s celebrations at home; the involvement of government and private entities; the role of Saudi diplomatic missions abroad; and the participation of Arab, Islamic, and friendly countries in the national occasion.

Darah affirmed that the publication of the book aligns with its goals to preserve and document the history of the Kingdom of and highlight the national achievements of King Abdulaziz and his sons.

It noted that the work aims to enrich historical studies and provide researchers and those interested in the field with a comprehensive scientific resource that reflects the depth of the Saudi national experience.

The publication is a new addition to Darah’s extensive collection of works specializing in history and heritage.

It embodies Darah’s commitment to its national role in documenting the journey of the Saudi state and disseminating knowledge to future generations.

The book can be obtained from Darah’s pavilion at the Riyadh International Book Fair or purchased directly from Darah’s publication sales centers.

It is also available through Darah’s digital store on its online platform, and authorized distributors.

 


Taif governor receives Malaysian consul general

Prince Saud bin Nahar (R) holds talks with Roslan bin Sharif in Taif. (Supplied)
Prince Saud bin Nahar (R) holds talks with Roslan bin Sharif in Taif. (Supplied)
Updated 21 September 2025

Taif governor receives Malaysian consul general

Prince Saud bin Nahar (R) holds talks with Roslan bin Sharif in Taif. (Supplied)
  • Governor received Ambassador of Iraq to the Kingdom Safia Taleb Al-Suhail

TAIF: Taif Gov. Prince Saud bin Nahar received Malaysian Consul General Roslan bin Sharif in Taif on Sunday. 

In a separate meeting, he received Ambassador of Iraq to the Kingdom Safia Taleb Al-Suhail, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the meetings, all sides discussed bilateral relations and various topics of common interest.