King Abdullah Al Saud named Cultural Personality of the Year

Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA-AD), said: “The winning of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz is a supreme honour for the Shaikh Zayed Book Award. His Majesty’s impressive achievements have been witnessed over decades and he still continues to contribute as generously as he has always been to the Arab and Islamic Worlds”.

Shaikh Sultan elaborated on the king’s pioneering role in promoting peaceful co-existence, religious tolerance and cross-cultural dialogue, as well as his passionate support for an advanced education and scientific research and culture in the region through the establishment of various educational institutes and knowledge centres that have become the North Star for scholars and researchers throughout the Arab and Islamic worlds.

Dr Ali Bin Tamim, Secretary-General of Shaikh Zayed Book Award, explained that the co-establishment of King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue that aims to enable, empower and encourage dialogue among followers of different religions and cultures around the world is one of the reasons that the ruler received the award.