Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who is also chairman of King Faisal International Prize, will today (Wednesday) announce the names of the winners of this coveted prize in its 40th session during a special function to be held at Prince Sultan Grand Hall in Riyadh.

The committees to select the winners have been diligently working during the past three days to pick up the winners.

The committees consisted of a galaxy of experts and scientists.

The prize, initiated by King Faisal's children to commemorate their father, was established in 1978, three years after his death. The children got together and established King Faisal Foundation which is giving the prize.

The prize is awarded in excellence in five categories which are: service to Islam, Islamic studies, Arabic language and literature, medicine and science.

It was first awarded in 1979 and has since then been given to 253 laureates from 43 countries around the world.

The prize consists of a hand-written Calligraphy certificate summarizing the laureate's work, a commemorative 24 carat, 200 grams gold medal and a cash endowment of $200,000.

As many as 18 people who won King Faisal Prize have also won the Nobel prize for various works of excellence. More than 100 of them have also won other international awards.

The nominee should be alive, should be nominated by and educational or a research center and his/her works should be published and enriching to the human knowledge. No nominations from individuals are accepted for the prize.