In a press conference following a dinner party held in honor of the members of the prize's nomination committees, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal also announced names of other laureates.
He gave an account on the achievements of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in the service of Islam for which he was selected as this year's winner of King Faisal International prize for the service to Islam.
He paid tributes to the late Professor Abdulrazzaq Qaddourah, who passed away last year after a rich service in the prize's nomination committees.
Highlighting the Monarch's accomplishments at the Kingdom's national level, he said King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the winner of the this year's prize in the field of Service to Islam, had made major achievements in the economic, social, intellectual, educational and construction and urbanization fields which all benefit the citizens of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in general and the low-income people in particular.
In the economic field, he cited King Abdullah Economic city; King Abdullah Financial Center, Investment Fund for Low Income people.
In the intellectual and social fields, he mentioned the establishment of Human Rights Commission; and National Dialogue Center.
In the educational field, he noted the establishment of King Abdullah University for Sciences and Technology.
In the construction field, he singled out the gigantic achievements at the Two holy mosques and other sacred places as well as the establishment of a pioneering housing project for the limited income people under the auspices of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Foundation for his Parents and other Developmental Housing schemes.
At the world-wide field as regards major achievements of King Abdullah bin Abdul-aziz, Prince Khalid cited a number of positions, decisions and proposals in support of human rights, particularly the rights of the Arab nation and Islamic world including the Palestinian issue.
He also cited the King's mediation between different and warring Arab or Muslim brothers, help of the poor and the needy in the Muslim world, works for achieving just peace, inviting Muslim scholars to a Makkah meeting to put a plan for the new renaissance of the Muslim world, which was later adopted by the Muslim leaders, steadfast stand against all kinds of terrorism, call for the importance of dialogue among religions and civilizations of today's world to enhance tolerance and security among the world's peoples.
King Faisal International Prize for Islamic Studies for the year 1428 AH - 2008 was withheld as the nominated works were disqualified. The subject of the prize was "The Rules Governing International Relations During Peace and War in Islam".
The prize for Arabic Language and Literature was shared by Professor Ahmed Matloob Al-nasiri, an Iraqi national, and Professor Mohammed Rashad Mohammed Alsalih Hamzaoui, a Tunisian, in recognition of their works in the sphere of "Terminology Issues of the Arabic Language."
Also the Medicine prize in the field of Emergency Medicine (Trauma Management) was shared by Professor Donald Dean Trunkey and Professor Basil Arthur Pruitt, both from the United state.
The prize in the field of science was awarded to Professor Rudiger Wehner from Germany, for his effort in the field of biology.
Prince Khalid Al-Faisal thanked the nomination committees members, experts and arbitrators who took part in finalizing this great achievement, wishing every one good luck.
Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, then, answered questions raised by newsmen.
As regards selection of The Custodian of Two Holy Mosques as the winner laureate for the King Faisal Prize International Prize for the service to Islam, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal said that this selection comes to confirm that Islam, Muslims and Islamic leaders are major sources and their welfare works generate happiness for all humanity and that this incessant noble Islamic trend, thought and Muslims are effective factors in this world.
Prince Khalid Al-Faisal termed the award of the prize to The Custodian of Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul-aziz as a source of pride and contentment for every one in this country because his policies, stances and works are just and pioneering.
"A work that characterizes a Muslim in a true perspective is a work that serves all humanity and that the Kingdom's leadership, people, policy and the culture of people and society is a true projection of its stances, traditions and Islamic doctrine that call for doing good, showing tolerance and engaging in noble Islamic dealings with all human beings," Prince Khalid said.
As regards memorializing the works of King Faisal International Prize, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal disclosed that the Foundation and the Prize are preparing festivities, which are set for next year to memorialize the Prize by inviting all previous laureates from around the world, adding that more than 70 scientists and thinkers have already accepted the invitations and they will be hosted in the next ceremony in addition to setting up a program that aims to benefit from their presence by organizing symposiums, forums and conferences in the Universities and in all cultural institutions which would like to cooperate with the Foundation in organizing this program.
As regards inclusion of the issues of combating Terrorism combating in the list of topics for the Prize, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal said this topic was proposed on several occasions, adding that the specification of the Prize subjects are reserved for the specialization of the Prize's approved branches.
Answering a question about ways of benefiting from the presence of the Prize's laureates in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal said that every year there is program for laureates with Saudi Universities and medical Colleges pertaining to this matter, adding that during this year there will be a wide domain for institutions to make use of experiences of these prominent laureates.
On prospects of documentation of the Prize's efforts, the Prince reiterated that these efforts are already documented in the Prize itself and also stored at King Faisal Center for researches and Studies.
On the possibilities of coordination between King Faisal Foundation and the Arab Thought Establishment as regards arbitration and topics for selecting laureates, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal pointed that there is a set approach, modality and great experience in subjects of selection committees for the International King Faisal Prize that traces back to 30 years while The Arab Thought Establishment is still a modest beginning. " However, this will not prevent the Establishment to be the one which benefits from King Faisal Foundation and its Prize."
Answering another question about the criteria for the process of selecting topics of the Prize, he said that is carried out in accordance with desires of selection Committees.
Prince Khalid Al-Faisal emphasized that the Prize is a crowned efforts exerted by Scientists in their varied fields and specializations.
The dinner party and the press Conference was attended by princes and a number of high-ranking officials.
Saudi Press Agency 2008
