The Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz graced here last night King Faisal International Prize awarding ceremony in the presence of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General. The Monarch was welcomed by Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Riyadh region, Prince Khalid al-Faisal, the Governor of Makkah region and Director General of King Faisal Foundation, as well as a number of senior officials. The King handed over the prize of medicine to Donald Dean Trunkey, and Professor Basil Arthur Pruitt. Meanwhile the King handed over the prize of sciences to Professor Rudiger Wehner. On behalf of the winners Carole Hillenbrand, the Head of the department of Islamic studies at Edinburgh University, who won King Faisal International Prize to the Islamic Studies in 2005, highlighted the significance of the prize, and said the prize would positively contribute to narrowing the gap between the East and the West. She said this prestigious prize is awarded to the persons who attain great achievements in the various domains irrespective of their religion or race. Later the King graced the dinner party held on the occasion. The dinner party was attended by Prince Metib bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Interior Minister, as well as princes and senior officials.
