Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal recently honored Saudi Research & Marketing Group (SRMG), one of the sponsors of Souk Okaz, during a ceremony that was held to announce the winners of Souk Okaz prizes.
On behalf of SRMG, Fawzy Mosly, administration director, Western region, received a shield of Souk Okaz from Prince Khaled.
During the ceremony, the governor announced the Souk Okaz prizewinners in 12 categories.
Rowdah Alhaj Othman of Sudan won the prize for the best poet of the year.
She will receive a cash prize of SR 300,000 and an overcoat. About 35 poets from Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Jordan, Yemen, Oman, Sudan and Mauritania took part.
Other winners were Hussam Al-Matar of Syria, Muhammad Al-Hawari of Egypt and Muhammad Al-Nouri of Iraq (Arab calligraphy), Shuaib Khattab of Iraq, Faisal Al-Shahri and Fahd Al-Aqeeli of Saudi Arabia (photography), Iyad Hekami of Saudi Arabia won the prize for the best youth poet and a cash prize of SR 100,000, and Ahmed Al-Qarni of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals won the prize of scientific innovation.
Al-Qarni will receive a cash prize of SR 100,000.
Abdu Areeshi of Saudi Arabia won the first prize for the best painting contest.
Abdul Aziz Bubi Ashar of Somalia and Fahd Al-Ghamdi of Saudi Arabia were the other winners.
The prizes for the best handicraft and best folklore performance would be announced during the inauguration of Souk Okaz, the organizers said. The prizes will have a total value of SR 1.1 million.
