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Princess Nourah Prize Highlights Saudi Women’s Excellence

Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Prize for Women’s Excellence Secretary-General Mody AlKhalaf
Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Prize for Women’s Excellence Secretary-General Mody AlKhalaf
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Princess Nourah Prize Highlights Saudi Women’s Excellence

Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Prize for Women’s Excellence Secretary-General Mody AlKhalaf
Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Prize for Women’s Excellence Secretary-General Mody AlKhalaf

While Riyadh celebrates Saudi women on International Women’s Day, eyes turn to the Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU), which is honoring the winners of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Prize for Women’s Excellence in its fourth edition.

According to Mody AlKhalaf, the secretary-general of the award, the PNU prize is one of the Kingdom’s first-ever to shed light on the achievements of Saudi women.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, AlKhalaf points out that giving out the award on March 8, which coincides with International Women’s Day, affirms the award’s leading role in the global empowerment system.

Moreover, it echoes Saudi Arabia’s belief in the message of empowerment as an integral part of the nation’s advancement process at the hands of its sons and daughters alike.

When asked how the prize’s fourth edition differs from its former versions, AlKhalaf said: “Like other awards, it evolves with each cycle, striving to achieve its vision in the best way.”

AlKhalaf added that this vision aims to celebrate the achievements of Saudi women as one of the pillars of sustainable national development and seeks to transfer them to the world.

“From this standpoint, in this edition, we were keen to choose topics that contribute to achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030,” revealed AlKhalaf, adding that the topics involve research on women’s health, energy, renewable energy, and research on local identity and national heritage.

The Prize covers 6 fields: health sciences (women’s health), natural sciences (energy and renewable energy), literature (studies that highlight local identity and national heritage), social works (women’s endowments), economic projects (pioneering projects that contributed to supporting domestic tourism), and art work (Arabic calligraphy).

“Awards, naturally, highlight excellence and give a stronger motivation to achieve even more,” noted AlKhalaf, adding that the prize also draws the attention of the relevant authorities to the accomplishments and skills of exceptional Saudi women.

Noting that the prize helps growing ambitions, AlKhalaf said the award has become “an incentive towards which the rest of the distinguished women and daughters of the country are working, especially since it has become a milestone in the sky of local honors.”

She also highlighted that the PNU prize has received generous sponsorship from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques since its inception.

The movement to empower Saudi women has brought to light many creative and distinguished Saudi females in various fields.

As for whether this makes giving out the award easier or harder, AlKhalaf said: “It certainly raises our motivation, as the number of distinguished women increases, and the fields of their creativity diversify.”

She added that the increase in talented Saudi women would help diversify the fields covered by the award.

“Saudi women have been supported and empowered since the establishment of the Kingdom, but there is no doubt that the acceleration of empowerment steps - and at all levels - that we are witnessing recently contributed to their presence remarkably today, and in various scientific, practical and media sectors,” said AlKhalaf.

It is noteworthy that PNU’s award honors the life of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman, sister of the founding King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud.

Princess Nourah learned to read and write in an age when there were few educated women, and she enjoyed an enlightened mindset that realized its importance in improving and developing human life, so she was keen to encourage girls to learn.

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Al-Sharaa to Asharq Al-Awsat: Revolution Ended with Regime’s Fall, Will Not Be Exported

Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the interview with Bissane El-Cheikh in Damascus on Thursday
Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the interview with Bissane El-Cheikh in Damascus on Thursday
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Al-Sharaa to Asharq Al-Awsat: Revolution Ended with Regime’s Fall, Will Not Be Exported

Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the interview with Bissane El-Cheikh in Damascus on Thursday
Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the interview with Bissane El-Cheikh in Damascus on Thursday

Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the head of the new Syrian administration, told Asharq Al-Awsat that “the Syrian revolution ended with the regime's fall, and we will not allow it to spread elsewhere.”

He stressed that Syria “will not be used to attack or destabilize any Arab or Gulf country.”

Speaking from the Presidential Palace in Damascus on Thursday, Al-Sharaa said the Syrian opposition’s actions had “set the Iranian project in the region back by 40 years.”

Asked why Syria has yet to send a direct message to the Gulf and major Arab nations, Al-Sharaa responded by saying that his country has much to say to its Arab neighbors.

“Syria had become a platform for Iran to control key Arab capitals, spread wars, and destabilize the Gulf with drugs like Captagon,” he said.

He added: “By removing Iranian militias and closing Syria to Iranian influence, we’ve served the region’s interests—achieving what diplomacy and external pressure could not, with minimal losses.”

Al-Sharaa also criticized efforts to restore ties with the former Syrian regime, including its return to the Arab League in exchange for concessions.

“We were confident this would fail because we knew the regime would not make any genuine concessions or approach these overtures in good faith,” he said.

He claimed that during a meeting with Jordanian officials, the former regime was asked why it insisted on exporting Captagon to Jordan.

“The response was that it would not stop unless sanctions were lifted," Al-Sharaa said, adding “this is not how the regime operates.”

He emphasized that Gulf strategic security has since improved. “Today, the Iranian project in the region has been pushed back 40 years, making the Gulf more secure and stable.”

When asked if he would give reassurances on Syria not becoming a refuge for certain figures, Al-Sharaa dismissed concerns about hosting figures who cause concern for some Arab nations, saying Syria will not become a haven for controversial individuals.

“We are now focused on state-building. The revolution ended with the regime's fall, and we will not allow it to spread elsewhere. Syria will not be a platform to threaten or unsettle any Arab or Gulf country,” he said.

Al-Sharaa stressed that Syria seeks to rebuild and strengthen ties with Arab nations. “Syria is tired of wars and being used for others’ agendas. We want to restore trust and rebuild our country as part of the Arab world.”

He praised the Gulf’s progress, saying: “We admire the development in Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia’s bold plans and vision, and we aspire to achieve similar progress for Syria.”

He added: “There are many opportunities for cooperation, especially in economic and developmental areas, where we can align our goals.”

On Syria’s relationship with its neighbor Lebanon, Al-Sharaa acknowledged concerns raised by Lebanese counterparts about him reaching Damascus, fearing it could strengthen one faction over another in Lebanon.

“We are not seeking any form of dominance over Lebanon,” he said. “We want a relationship based on mutual respect and exchange, without interfering in Lebanon’s internal affairs. We have enough work to do in our own country.”

Al-Sharaa emphasized Syria’s intention to maintain balanced relations, saying he aims “to stand equally with all Lebanese groups, and what pleases them, pleases us.”

Al-Sharaa was asked about a national dialogue conference and a new constitution to guide Syria’s future, and the mechanism that he plans to ensure inclusivity for all Syrians in the process, especially among the base of supporters and fighters who do not necessarily agree with his current moderate speech.

Al-Sharaa acknowledged differing opinions but emphasized he does not want to impose his personal views on Syrians.

“I believe in letting legal experts shape the relationship between citizens, with the law as the guide,” he said.

“Syria is diverse, and it's natural for there to be different opinions. This difference is healthy.”

Al-Sharaa stressed that the recent victory is for all Syrians, not one group over another.

“Even those we thought were loyal to the old regime expressed joy, as they had not been able to openly express their feelings before,” he noted.

He expressed confidence that Syrians, regardless of their background, are aware enough to protect their country.

“My aim is to reach a broad agreement and build a country where the rule of law helps resolve our differences,” Al-Sharaa concluded.

On the complex issue of forced disappearances and individuals missing in prisons and mass graves, Al-Sharaa said the previous regime was a criminal gang, not a political system.

“We fought a brutal group that committed crimes like arrests, forced disappearances, killings, displacement, starvation, chemical attacks, and torture,” he said.

He stressed that while the regime is gone, the focus should be on justice, not revenge.

“We must not approach this with a desire for vengeance,” he said.

Al-Sharaa stated that those responsible for crimes like the Saydnaya prison and chemical attacks must be held accountable.

“Their names are known and they must be pursued,” he said. He also affirmed that families have the right to file complaints against unknown perpetrators.

Al-Sharaa outlined efforts to address the issue of missing persons. “We’ve broken the barriers, and specialized organizations are now helping with this task,” he said.

A new ministry will be set up to track the fate of the missing, both the deceased and the living.

“This will also assist families with documents like death certificates and inheritance,” he added.

He acknowledged the challenge ahead but emphasized the need to uncover the truth. “This is a big task, but we must find the truth,” Al-Sharaa said.

When asked about hosting the interview at the People’s Palace, the same location where Bashar al-Assad once sat, Al-Sharaa responded with a light-hearted laugh.

“To be honest, I don’t feel comfortable at all,” he said. “But this is a place that should be open to the people, a site where they can visit and where children can play in these courtyards.”