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Dr. Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Kaki

King Faisal Prize in Islamic Studies 2015 Laureate

Topic: "Cultural Heritage of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah"

The heritage of Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, from mountains, lava fields, and valleys, deserves a precise verification, as it had a remarkable role in the prophet’s life

Nationality: Saudi Arabia
Born: 1956, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Dr. Abdulaziz Kaki was awarded the prize for his distinguished research on the cultural heritage of Al-Madinah Al-Munwwarah. This is best demonstrated by his multi-volume Arabic text on architectural and historic landmarks of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, particularly volume 7 which deals with the foundations and characteristics of the ancient architectural fabric of the city. In this research, the author combines cultural dimensions with field work and supports his study with various illustrations including old and modern images, maps and other illustrations, making it a major reference in the field.

Abdulaziz Kaki completed his general education in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah before moving to King Saud University in Riyadh to study architecture. He obtained his bachelor degree in Architecture from the College of Engineering at King Saud University, Riyadh, in 1982, followed by a Master’s degree from the Department of Architecture and Planning in the College of Engineering at Al-Azhar University, Cairo, in 1991, and a Ph.D. in urban planning from Edinburgh College of Arts (Department of Urban Planning) at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, the United Kingdom, in 2002.

Dr. Kaki started his career in the College of Engineering at King Saud University before taking up several administrative and leading positions in the field of architectural planning and development in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Municipality. He currently serves as a Consultant to Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Development Commission.

Many of Dr. Kaki’s numerous and distinguished contributions have focused on researching, illustrating, and documenting the cultural heritage of Al-Madinah Al-Munwwarah. His work has been embodied in more than 30 books in Arabic and English and numerous articles and research papers. Dr. Kaki has also established the Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Home, the Library and Museum of Architectural and Cultural Heritage, where hundreds of scholars and students learn about the humanitarian and artistic values of the city’s heritage. He has also participated in numerous architectural and planning projects in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Municipality and elsewhere. Besides, he has contributed to many conferences, workshops, and technical committees in his field of specialization.

Dr. Kaki’s achievements have been recognized by Prince Sultan bin Salman Prize for Architectural Heritage in 2006, The Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Prize for Architectural Research in 2007, and Prince Salman bin Abd Al-Aziz (now Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques) Prize for Research on the History of the Arabian Peninsula in 2014.

This biography was written in the year the prize was awarded.

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