The award is granted for excellence and outstanding performance in eight fields: Haj and Umrah services, management, culture, social services, architecture, environment, science & technology, and economics.

The governor said the prize for economic excellence was withheld for the second consecutive year as none of the nominated works was up to the standard of the prize. He said the awards, consisting of merit certificates, would be given away at a function to be held in Jeddah on June 18.

According to the announcement made by the governor, the prize for distinction in the Haj and Umrah services was given to the directorate general of traffic in the Kingdom for its outstanding management of traffic and the services extended to the Guests of God during the past Haj season. He said the directorate had implemented to the letter the decision of the Council of Ministers banning entry of vehicles carrying less than 25 passengers to the Holy Sites. “This was a big factor in the success of the Haj campaign under the title ‘Pilgrimage is Worship and a Civilized Conduct,’” he said.

The Jeddah police won the prize for management for reducing the rate of crime in the city. “The Jeddah police was also able to maintain communication with society, making the residents real partners in keeping order and controlling crime,” the governor said.

The award for cultural distinction went to Abdul Rahman Fakieh Model Schools in Makkah for hosting a number of cultural activities and for employing qualified cadres and using modern technology in education.

Saudi Sarah bint Abdullah Baghdadi won the prize for social distinction for her ability to alter a charity activity into social change. She had participated in a number of social activities, delivered lectures on the concept of volunteering and organized several social programs. She also collected donations for the relief of flood victims in Jeddah in 2009 and 2011.

The award for architectural excellence was given to the International Medical Center for mixing Islamic and modern architecture and for using architectural designs as a means of treatment. “The natural lighting of rooms and the beautiful sceneries put up at the hospital premises have contributed to the quick healing of patients,” the prince said.

The award for environmental excellence was given to the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). The IDB runs Saudi Arabia’s Sacrificial Meat Project, which administers the annual slaughtering of millions of sheep by pilgrims as part of the Haj rites. As such, the IDB was able to preserve a clean environment at the holy sites. A girl and a boy student in their second year of secondary school shared the award for excellence in science and technology.

The prince said Bayan bint Muhammad Hussain Mashshat obtained the top rank at the Los Angeles International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held on May 8-18 for her project ‘Gooplay,’ which is about teaching children aged 9 to 12 while playing video games and making them learn at the same time.

Speaking to Arab News, Bayan, 16, said her invention was aimed at teaching children the skills of Web searching. Bayan, who studies at the Modern Education School in Jeddah, said King Abdul Aziz University had given her an unconditional scholarship to study at the university. She said her father was an industrial engineer and her mother had studied computer sciences.

The other winner of the Award of Excellence in science and technology was Mahmoud bin Muataz Ghulman, who obtained the fourth position in ISEF for his invention of a hearing eyeglass.

Talking to Arab News after announcing the names of the winners, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal warned against mixing tourism with Haj services. “Serving pilgrims is a religious duty of the government. We should not confuse it with tourist services,” he said.

The governor added that the Makkah Governorate, although not eligible for winning an award, was also worthy of the prize of excellence.

He said studies and plans were currently being made to Saudize jobs. “We should give these parties the chance to complete their studies and programs,” he said.