Two Saudi nationals, two Egyptians and three Americans bagged the King Faisal International Prizes for the year 2012 (1433H), it was announced here Monday. The coveted Service to Islam Prize went to Suleiman Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Rajhi while Prof. Adnan Bin Muhammad Al-Wazzan won the Islamic Studies (Human Rights in Islam) Prize. Al-Rajhi and Al-Wazzan are both Saudi nationals. Prof. Ali Hilmi Ahmad Moussa and Dr. Nabil Ali Muhammad, both Egyptians, were named co-winners of the Arabic Language and Literature (Computer Processing of the Arabic Language: Individual and Institutional Endeavors) Prize. In the medicine (Minimal invasive fetal management) category the prize was shared by Prof. Richard Berkowitz and James Bruce Bussel. Berkowitz and Bussel are both from the United States. The prize in science category (Biology) was won by Prof. Alexander Varshavsky. The names of the winners were announced at a function here by Dr. Abdullah Bin Saleh Al-Othaimeen, Secretary General of the King Faisal International Prize, in the presence of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region and Director General of the King Faisal Foundation and Chairman of the King Faisal International Prize Committee. Each of the five prizes, awarded annually, consist of a certificate hand written in Diwani calligraphy summarizing the work of the laureates; a 24 carat 200 gram gold medal — uniquely cast for each winner; and a cash prize of SR750,000 ($200,000). In his address, Prince Khaled said since its inception in 1979 the prize strives to contribute in serving the mankind all over the globe. The prize, he said, is one of the steps in recognizing, honoring and encouraging scientists from across the world.
