Field Marshal Abdul Rahman Swar Al-Dahab of Sudan has won this year’s prestigious King Faisal Prize for Service to Islam, it was announced yesterday.
The announcement was made by Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, after chairing a meeting of the jury in the southern resort of Abha.
“The jury selected Field Marshal Swar Al-Dahab for the award in appreciation of his noble activities which the Arab and Islamic worlds are proud of,” said Prince Sultan, who is chairman of the Supreme Dawa Committee.
Several foreign dignitaries have won the King Faisal Prize for Service to Islam over the past years. The first winner was Sayyed Abul Aala Al-Moudoodi of Pakistan (1979) while the Prince Sultan Charitable Foundation was the last winner (2003).
“Swar Al-Dahab is one of the outstanding Islamic personalities who have gained international fame,” the King Faisal Charitable Foundation said in a statement. As chairman of the board of trustees of the Islamic Dawa Organization in Sudan, he initiated the construction of several schools, hospitals, clinics, orphanages and wells in the country.
“Swar Al-Dahab is also a member of 11 Islamic and international organizations and has presented several research papers on Islam, dawa and Muslim issues and challenges at conferences,” the statement said.
Asir Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who is director general of the foundation and chairman of the prize committee, attended the panel meeting. Swar Al-Dahab was selected from 13 short-listed candidates.
Winners of other King Faisal awards were announced last month.