In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
With the grace and glory of Allah, the selection committees of the 2025 King Faisal Prize, after meticulous deliberations that were held from Monday 6th to Wednesday 8th of January 2025, have reached the following decisions for the Prize’s four categorizes of, Islamic Studies, Arabic language & Literature, Medicine, and Science.
As for King Faisal Prize for Service to Islam, the announcement will be made at the end of this month.
First: King Faisal Prize for Islamic Studies
King Faisal Prize for Islamic Studies for this year 2025, Topic: (Studies of Archaeology in the Arabian Peninsula), is awarded jointly to:
Professor Saad Abdulaziz Alrashid
(Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
Professor at King Saud University
&
Professor Said Faiz Alsaid
(Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
Professor at King Saud University
Professor Saad Alrashid is awarded the prize for his fundamental contributions to the studies of Islamic archaeological sites and inscriptions of the Arabian Peninsula which laid the scientific and methodological groundwork for scholars in this field. Professor Alrashed’s work has immensely enriched scientific knowledge about the Islamic civilization and has become an empirical source for future generations of researchers.
Professor Said Alsaid is awarded the prize for the originality of his scientific studies, which are based on rich literature and published in several languages. His adaptation of a comparative methodology in studies of inscriptions and ancient writings of the Arabian Peninsula, which had a profound impact on understanding the history of the Arabian Peninsula’s civilizations before Islam. His studies are an important scientific reference for scholars of the history of the Arabian Peninsula and the ancient Near East.
Second: King Faisal Prize for Arabic Language and Literature
The King Faisal Prize for Arabic Language and Literature for this year 2025, Topic: (Studies of Identity in Arabic Literature) is withheld due to nominated works not elevating to the criteria of the prize.
Third: King Faisal Prize for Medicine
King Faisal Prize for Medicine for this year 2025, Topic: (Cellular Therapy), is awarded to:
Professor Michel Sadelain
(Canada)
Stephen and Barbara Friedman Chair; Director, Center for Cell Engineering at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Professor Michel Sadelain is awarded the prize for his pioneering work in the field of cellular therapy and in particular for the genetic engineering of immune cells with “chimeric antigen receptors” (CAR-T). Dr. Sadelain led the team that expertly designed and tested clinically effective and novel CAR-T agents for the treatment of blood cancers. His group identified CD19 as an effective CAR target and included a CD28 domain in the CAR construct resulting in strikingly effective clinical responses. Dr. Sadelain continues to improve CAR-T cell efficacy by devising strategies to overcome treatment resistance. This approach now also shows promise in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and solid tumors. His work is a shining example of the translation of basic science into transformative therapies.
Fourth: King Faisal Prize for Science
King Faisal Prize for Science for this year 2025 Topic: (Physics), is awarded to:
Professor Sumio Iijima
(Japan)
Professor at Meijo University
Professor Sumio Iijima is awarded the prize for establishing the field of carbon nanotubes following his pioneering discovery of carbon nanotubes using electron microscopy. This new class of one-dimensional carbon materials has had a powerful impact on fundamental solid-state physics and material science. His work has opened new avenues for developing wide-ranging, practical applications in nanotechnology, ranging from electronics to energy storage systems and biomedicine.
The General Secretariat of King Faisal Prize commends the 2025 esteemed laureates and offers its sincere gratitude to the distinguished members of the selection committees, the referees, and the experts of this year’s session for their highly valued contributions. The General Secretariat also extends its appreciation to all organizations and institutions that have graciously collaborated with it in submitting their nominations and the members of the media for their continued interest in the Prize’s activities.
May Allah look favorably on those devoting their time and effort in virtue to the betterment of humanity.