RIYADH
– Two prominent Arab professors from Egypt and Morocco, Mustafa A. Nasif and Muhammed A. Al-Omari, respectively, shared the 2007 King Faisal International Prize (KFIP) for Arabic Language and Literature, while two cancer experts from the US and Canada were declared co-winners of the prize for medicine.
A British professor from the University of California, James Fraser Stoddart, landed the prize for science (chemistry) The prize for Islamic Studies was awarded to Roshdi Hifni Rashed, from the National Center for Scientific Research in Paris, for his translations and essays on Muslims’ contributions to science.
Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, director general of the King Faisal Foundation, jointly announced the prizes with KFIP Secretary-General Abdullah Al-Othaimeen at a glittering function organized at Al-Khozama Hotel here last night.
“King Faisal International Prize laureate have earned numerous prestigious national and international prizes for their efforts in the past,” said the prince. In some cases, the King Faisal International Prize has preceded other international awards, including the Nobel Prize, thus validating the rigorous and unbiased selection process. Twelve KFIP winners have become Nobel Prize laureates.
Prince Khaled thanked all those who participated in the evaluation of nominations from all over the world.
Tatarstan President Mintier Shaimev was declared the winner of the King Faisal International Prize for Service to Islam. Each of the five prize categories consists of a certificate, hand-written in Arabic calligraphy, summarizing the laureate’s work; a commemorative 24 carat, 200- gram gold medal, uniquely cast for each prize; and a cash award of SR750,000 ($200,000). According to the citation, Muhammed A. Al-Omari was named the co-winner of the prize in recognition of his distinguished studies in Arabic rheto Tic and the concepts of text and functions of Arabic rhetoric and oratory.
Through his grasp of modern rhetoric and stylistic research, coupled with his deep insight of Arabic language heritage, Al-Omari has set an example of precise methodology and presentation of research in Arabic rhetoric. The other co-winner, Nasif is recognized for his comprehensive, diversified and highly original research into Arabic rhetoric as it relates to the origins from which modern Arabic rhetoric derives. His studies reflect new concepts and an excellent awareness of the program of modern Arabic rhetoric.
Professor Fernand Labrie of Canada and Professor Patrick Craig Walsh of the US jointly won the King Faisal Prize for Medicine. Labrie was given the prize for developing LHRH agonists and combined androgen blockage in the treatment of prostate cancer. The other co-winner Professor Walsh is recognized for developing nerve sparing radical surgery for prostate cancer, thereby contributing substantially to improved survival and eliminating the possibility of impotence and incontinence.
He has also made important contributions toward better understanding of some genetic aspects of prostate cancer and hypertrophy. Over the past 29 years, a total of 47 scholars from 11 different countries have won the KIP for medicine.
In the science category, the UK’S Professor James Fraser Stoddart, professor of NanoSystems Sciences, University of California, won the prize for his pioneering works in nanoscience in the field of chemistry, primarily for his work in molecular recognition and self-assembly. His introduction of quick and efficient template-directed synthetic routes to mechanically inter. Locked molecular compounds is of seminal importance. It has changed dramatically the way chemists think about molecular systems.
In the Service to Islam category, President Shaimev was given KFIP for his distinguished services to Islam. He has tirelessly worked for reviving Islamic culture, rebuilding mosques, and promoting Islamic teachings in the Republic of Tatarstan. Today, more than 1,000 mosques have been rebuilt including 40 in the capital city of Kazan.
The King Faisal International Prize was instituted in 1977 by the sons of the late King Faisal for reviving Islamic heritage. The prize, since its inception, has established itself as one of the world’s most prestigious awards.
Besides awarding the King Faisal Prize, activities including charity work, investment projects, scholarships, and health projects in more than 29 countries across the world. the foundation carries out humanitarian.
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