The event was revived in 2008 by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah, under the patronage of King Abullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Prince Khaled is a renowned poet himself. Efforts are currently underway to make Souk Okaz a major Arab cultural center like Carthage in Tunisia or Jerash in Jordan. Each year, the souk's High Supervisory Committee had select seven winners for their annual Souk Okaz awards. __