DUBAI: Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group and Founder of the Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Achievement Award (KAHAA) honoured HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saoud, Governor of Mecca at a ceremony held at The St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor City on Tuesday 20 March 2018. Prince Sultan bin Khalid Al-Faisal Al Saoud collected the award on his father’s behalf at a VIP ceremony at The St. Regis Dubai at Al Habtoor City.
The Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Achievement Award was established in 2017 to recognize individuals or organizations with a proven track record of contributing to the advancement of arts and culture in the Middle East.The award is given to artists, writers, scientists, academics and athletes who have excelled in their field and who have had a lasting impact on society for at least three decades of service to their industry. The inaugural award was given to the late Kuwaiti actor and writer Abdul Hussein Abdul Redha.
Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor said, “It gives me great honour to recognize HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saoud for making significant contributions in the advancement of cultural indicatives and the arts in Saudi Arabia and the wider region.As an artist, a poet and a patron of the arts,His Royal Highness has made his mark as one of the founders of the art movement furthering cultural, artistic and educational understanding in the Arab world.”
He added, “I established the Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Achievement Award to encourage and cultivate commitment to excellence and strong principles in our Arab youth. It is important that future generations are educated about our cultural heritage as well as respected figures in our society.”
HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saoud, son of His late Majesty King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, is currently serving as Governor of Mecca for his second term after being reappointed in January 2015.
Prince Khalid Al-Faisal also holds the rank of Adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz. From 1971-2007 His Royal Highness served as Governor of Asir Province in south-western Saudi Arabia, which inspired Prince Khalid Al-Faisal both as an artist, a poet and a patron of the arts.
His Royal Highness continues to work hard to create new opportunities for artists, poets, writers, composers and musicians to flourish. In 2008 Prince Khalid Al-Faisal established the Cultural Council of Makkah which brought together the leading figures of the region. Activities announced by the new council include a 10-year strategy for the development of the region and an annual prize for excellence in six categories including two prizes for culture and the arts.
His Royal Highness is Founder of several cultural initiatives, including the Literary Club of Abha, the Abha Singing Festival, the Abha Prize for Cultural Excellence, and the Al-Miftaha Visual Arts Village located in the ancient quarter of Abha, which includes artists’ studios and accommodation, exhibition galleries, shops and a bookstore. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal is also behind the construction of one of the first modern theaters in Saudi Arabia, which accommodates 3,000 spectators for performances of music, singing and poetry.
In 1999 Prince Khalid Al-Faisal launched Painting & Patronage, one of the most prominent cultural and educational exchange programmes between Saudi Arabia and Europe. His Royal Highness is President of the organisation and is active in the day-to-day running of the organisation. He is also a member of the Allegiance Council and President of the Arab Thought Foundation.
Prince Khalid Al-Faisal serves as the Managing Director of the King Faisal Foundation, one of the largest philanthropic and charitable organisations in the world. The Foundation is aimed at promoting self-sufficiency among less fortunate communities, raising awareness of Islamic civilization and encouraging cultural and scientific activities for the advancement of mankind.
Throughout his career,His Royal Highness has received several awards from academic institutions and global recognition for his contribution to furthering cultural, artistic and educational understanding. BIZ TODAY REPORT
