King Faisal Prize final preparations to announce the names of 2026 laureates

King Faisal Prize will be announcing the names of its 2026 laureates on the 7th of January in Riyadh. In preparation for the announcement, specialized selection committees of the prize’s 4 categories – Islamic Studies, Arabic Language & Literature, Medicine, and Science started their meetings at the Prize’s headquarters today, 5 January 2026 and will continue until the 7th. On the 7th of January, His Royal Highness Prince Turki Al-Faisal Bin Abd Al-Aziz will chair the committee meeting to select the laureate of the Service to Islam prize.

The General Secretariat had announced the topics of the 48th session of King Faisal Prize for 2026, as follows:
1. Islamic Studies: “Trade Routes in the Islamic World”.
2. Arabic Language & Literature: “Arabic Literature in French”.
3. Medicine: “Discoveries Transforming Obesity Therapeutics”.
4. Science: “Mathematics”.

As for the King Faisal Prize for Service to Islam, it is considered an honorary award granted to those who have contributed a pioneering role in serving Islam and Muslims intellectually, scientifically, or socially through works, activities, programs, and projects that have had a tangible impact on society.

The General Secretariat also pointed out that nominations are made by scientific institutions, universities, research centres as well as scientific and language councils, provided the nominated individual is alive and their nominated work is already published. The work should also be informative and contribute to the enrichment of knowledge for the development of humanity.

The Prize selection committees this year include experts, specialists, and scholars, coming from different countries to meet in Riyadh and examine the nominated works to select the laureates in an objective and transparent manner, in accordance with the rules and regulations developed by the General Secretariat of the Prize.

Members of the selection committee for the Service to Islam Prize, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Turki Al-Faisal Bin Abd Al-Aziz are leading scholars in Islamic law and jurisprudence.

HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal will announce the names of the chosen prize laureates for 2026 in the five different categories on Wednesday January 7 at Prince Sultan Grand Hall in Al-Faisaliah Center, Riyadh.