RIYADH, 23 May 2007 — Riyadh Gov. and Chairman of the King Abdul Aziz Foundation for Research and Archives (KAFRA) Prince Salman honored four Saudi historians for submitting research studies in the category of “Pioneers of Arabian Peninsula Studies” here last night.
The honored historians were: Abdulrahman Al-Ruwaished, Abdullah Al-Shabat, Muhammad Al-Shafei and Muhammad Al-Khatrawi. Each historian received from Prince Salman a check worth SR100,000 at the “Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Prize and Scholarship for Research on Arabian Peninsula” ceremony.
The event was attended by several government officials, ministers and members of the Saudi History Association.
In addition, Prince Salman distributed prizes to men and women for the best doctorate and Masters thesis.
Prince Salman also launched the first complete encyclopedia on the history of Saudi Arabia. The encyclopedia, which is published by the King Abdul Aziz Foundation for Research and Archives, consists of 15 volumes and is entitled “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 100 Years: Research and Studies.”
“This award and scholarship, in its second year, reiterates the support and appreciation given to those interested in the history of the Arabian Peninsula,” said Prince Salman during his inauguration speech.
“The large number of contestants proves that scientific and research activities are ongoing in our beloved country,” he added.
Prince Salman thanked the members of the KAFRA board for their efforts. He also thanked the men and women researchers who won awards this year and encouraged them to continue their research to preserve the history of the Arabian Peninsula.
Dr. Fahd Al-Sammari, secretary-general of KAFRA, lauded the steps taken by Prince Salman to encourage research on the history of the Arabian Peninsula. He called on more citizens of the country interested in the history of the Arabian Peninsula to do more research.
The head of the Saudi History Association, Abdullah Al-Zeidan, noted that while the association had only a handful of members in the past, it boasted 400 members today. “This illustrates people’s keenness in history,” he said.
KAFRA is a government body which specializes in the heritage and culture of the Arabian Peninsula and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was established in 1972 and is based in Riyadh. KAFRA had earlier organized the first series of lectures and symposiums in the Kingdom on the history of the late King Saud. KAFRA will be holding another series of lectures and symposiums on the late King Khaled.
