Riyadh Governor Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Honours Winners Of The 2025 King Faisal Prize

In a ceremony held in Riyadh, Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz celebrated the winners of the 47th King Faisal Prize 2025. The event was under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Notable attendees included Prince Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz and Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Sabeel.

The Service to Islam award was given to Tebyan Quran from Liajlehum Association for Serving People with Disabilities. They developed an innovative electronic application using sign language to convey the Quran's meanings, a first globally for hearing-impaired individuals. This initiative significantly enhances accessibility and inclusivity.

In the Islamic Studies category, themed "Studies of Archaeology in the Arabian Peninsula," Professor Saad Alrashid and Professor Said Alsaid were jointly awarded. Professor Alrashid was recognized for his significant contributions to Islamic inscriptions and Arabian archaeology. Meanwhile, Professor Alsaid was honored for his comparative studies on ancient Arabian inscriptions and pre-Islamic civilizations.

Sami Almaghlouth, a consultant at the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, received recognition for his extensive work documenting Islamic history. He has created over 40 historical and geographical atlases, many translated into various languages, enriching global understanding of Islamic heritage.

Professor Michel Sadelain from Canada’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center won the Medicine award for his work on "Cellular Therapy." His development of CAR-T immunotherapies has shown effectiveness against blood cancers and potential for treating autoimmune diseases and solid tumors.

The Science award was presented to Professor Sumio Iijima from Japan’s Meijo University. He discovered carbon nanotubes using electron microscopy, sparking a new field in materials science and nanotechnology with diverse applications.

Award Withheld in Arabic Literature

This year, no award was given in the Arabic Language and Literature category. The theme was "Studies of Identity in Arabic Literature," but none of the nominated works met the required standards set by the prize committee.

The King Faisal Prize continues to honour individuals who make significant contributions across various fields. This year's awards highlighted achievements that enhance knowledge and inclusivity on a global scale.

With inputs from SPA