Leading genetics and cancer researchers are set to be honoured with the King Faisal International Prize, a prestigious award in the Islamic world.

 

The 2016 laureates, who span the fields of science, literature and Islamic thought, are due to visit Saudi Arabia in March to receive their awards at a ceremony in Riyadh.

 

It will be attended by Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, executive president of awarding body, the King Faisal Foundation, and many other Saudi dignitaries.

 

The prizes are awarded each year in five categories - Medicine, Science, Service to Islam, Islamic Studies, and Arabic Language and Literature. 

 

The winner for the medicine category is Professor Han Grrit Brunner, professor of Medical Genetics at the Radboud University, part of Nijmegen Medical Center and Professor Joris Andre Veltman, professor of translational genomics at Radboud University, both of who are from Netherlands, for their research into clinical application of next generation genetics.

 

The science award will go to Professor Stephen P Jackson, professor of cancer research at the Gurdon Institute and US-Indian professor Vamsi K Mootha, professor of systems biology, Harvard Medical School, for biological research.

 

The service to Islam award will be given to Sheikh Dr Saleh Abdullah bin Humaid (Saudi Arabia), consultant, Saudi Royal Court; member of the Commission of Senior Religious Scholars, Imam and Preacher of the Holy Mosque in Makkah and president of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy Jeddah - who was recognised for his leadership and commitment to Islamic understanding and education.

 

Meanwhile, professor Abdullah bin Yousif Al-Ghunaim (Kuwait), president of the Kuwaiti Studies and Research Center will receive the award for Islamic Studies for his study of Muslim Geography Heritage; while professor Muhammad Muftah (Morocco) and professor Mohammad Abdul Muttalib (Egypt) will be recognised for their analysis of Arab poetic texts. - TradeArabia News Service