Defense Minister and Chairman of the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (KAFRA) Prince Salman will preside over the awards ceremony today for winners of the Prince Salman Prizes and Grants for research and studies on the history of Arabian Peninsula in its 4th session (2012) at King Abdulaziz Historical Center (KAHC).
Prince Salman will also launch the same day the King Abdulaziz Prize for Writers, according to KAFRA Secretary-General Fahad Al-Sammari, who is also secretary-general of the Higher Commission for Prince Salman Prizes and Grants.
He said Prince Salman’s support to the event would give momentum and continuity to this scientific occasion in serving the history of the Kingdom and Arabian Peninsula at large. It will also encourage the scientific research move in the country in light of the unlimited support given to science, its men and institutions by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Prince Naif, minister of interior.
Prince Salman’s support for the event attaches an added value and honor to KAFRA, researchers, academics, and winners of the prize, he said.
He said Prince Salman has given his support to the foundation and turned it into a forum for researchers specialized in the history of the Kingdom and Arabian Peninsula.
Thanks to his generous support, the prize has become a boon for researchers and a parameter for research, translation and authoring in the history of Saudi Arabia and Arabian Peninsula, he noted.
Prince Salman will hand over prizes and grants to 18 winners selected from 65 candidates initially approved by the Higher Commission, he said.
One of key figures to be honored in this session is Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasmi, member of the UAE Higher Council and ruler of Sharjah, in recognition of his service to the history of Arabian Gulf region and Arabian Peninsula in general. He will be the first winner of the “distinguished” category for non-Saudis.
Minister of Higher Education and KAFRA Deputy Chairman Khaled Al-Anqari said the prize reaffirms Prince Salman’s unlimited concern over the history of the Kingdom and represents an enormous incentive for researchers.
Sharjah ruler among 18 to be honored by Prince Salman
