Names of the winners of the King Faisal Prize 2026 in Medicine and Science
In a global cultural and scientific event held in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, the General Secretariat of the King Faisal Prize announced this evening the winners of its 2026 cycle, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. The Secretary-General of the Prize, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Sabil, revealed the list, which included a distinguished group of scholars, thinkers, and pioneers in philanthropy from around the world.
The award's global prestige and importance
Established in 1977, the King Faisal Prize is one of the world's most prestigious awards, recognizing scholars and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to Islam, Islamic studies, Arabic language and literature, medicine, and science. The prize is distinguished by its rigorous selection criteria, which have earned it high credibility in international academic circles. Winners in the medicine and science categories are often considered potential Nobel Prize candidates due to the significant scientific value of their discoveries.
Winners in Service to Islam and Islamic Studies
In the Service to Islam , the committee decided to award the prize jointly to Sheikh Abdul Latif bin Ahmed Al-Fawzan (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and Dr. Muhammad Muhammad Abu Musa (Egypt). Al-Fawzan was awarded in recognition of his exceptional efforts in institutional charitable work and his founding of the “Ajwad Endowment,” while Dr. Abu Musa received the prize for his contributions to rhetoric, his authorship of more than thirty books on the miraculous nature of the Holy Quran, and his efforts at Al-Azhar University.
In the field of Islamic Studies , specifically on the topic of “Trade Routes in the Islamic World,” the award was jointly won by Dr. Abdul Hamid Hussein Hammouda (Egypt) and Dr. Muhammad Wahib Hussein (Jordan). Their work was distinguished by its meticulous documentation and field research of historical trade routes, and its connection of Quranic texts to geographical data, thus constituting a valuable addition to the Arabic historical library.
Excellence in Arabic language, medicine, and science
In the Arabic Language and Literature , which was dedicated to the topic of “Arabic Literature in French”, the prize was awarded to Professor Pierre Larcher (France), a professor at Aix-Marseille University, in recognition of his efforts in translating the Mu'allaqat and pre-Islamic poetry, and presenting Arabic literature to the French reader with a sound critical methodology.
In the field of medicine , Professor Svetlana Moiseova (USA) won for her work on “Impactful Discoveries in Obesity Treatments.” This award recognizes her pioneering work in discovering the peptide GLP-1, a discovery that revolutionized global medicine and contributed to the development of a new generation of diabetes and obesity medications relied upon by millions today.
The award concluded its announcements with the Science (Mathematics) category, where Professor Carlos Kennig (USA) won for his contributions to mathematical analysis and nonlinear partial differential equations, which have wide applications in the fields of medical imaging and optical fibers.
This diversity among the winners reflects the message of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in appreciating science and scientists, and its pioneering role in supporting human achievements that serve all of humanity.
