Mohammed Al-Shammari has been chairman of the board at the AlUla Peregrina Trading Co. — 100 percent owned by the Royal Commission for AlUla — since August and the RCU’s chief economic and social development officer since March 2020.
A Harvard Business School alumnus, he has more than 17 years’ experience working in the healthcare, insurance, and business sectors, most recently concentrating on the economic and social development of communities.
From 2019 to 2020, he served as director of the RCU’s healthcare program, was general director of Alkhobar Hospital at Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group in 2019, and program director of health services at the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu between 2016 and 2019.
He held the position of Saudi business development manager at the MEDGULF Insurance and Reinsurance company from 2014 to 2015 and was manager of medical services for the Kingdom at the Saudi Basic Industries Corp. between 2011 and 2013.
Prior to that, he was an ambulance and emergency department manager, and operations manager of the critical care division and a deputy director of allied health services at SAAD Specialist Hospital from 2005 to 2010, and a critical care paramedic with Saudi Aramco between 2003 and 2005.
Al-Shammari completed a senior executive leadership program at Harvard Business School in the US and a certificate in insurance at the Chartered Insurance Institute in the UK. He gained a master’s degree in health management from the City University of London, a bachelor’s degree in health science and a post-graduate certificate in health services management from Flinders University in South Australia, and an associate degree of applied science in emergency medical technology from Cuyahoga Community College in the US.
Who’s Who: Mohammed Al-Shammari, chairman at the AlUla Peregrina Trading Co.
https://arab.news/gdzdy
Who’s Who: Mohammed Al-Shammari, chairman at the AlUla Peregrina Trading Co.
King Faisal Prize to announce 2025 winners on Wednesday
- Selection committees start meetings to select winners in Islamic studies, Arabic language & literature, medicine and science
RIYADH: The names of the King Faisal Prize winners for 2025 will be announced on Jan. 8 in Riyadh.
Ahead of the event, specialized selection committees for the prize’s four categories — Islamic studies, Arabic language and literature, medicine and science — convened at the prize’s headquarters starting Monday, the General Secretariat of King Faisal Prize said.
Deliberations will continue through Jan. 8, it added.
The General Secretariat had previously announced the themes for the KFP 2025: Islamic studies focuses on Studies of Archaeology in the Arabian Peninsula, Arabic language and literature explores Studies of Identity in Arabic Literature, medicine highlights Cellular Therapy and Science centers on Physics.
Nominations for the prize are accepted by universities, research centers and scientific institutions, ensuring that nominees meet rigorous criteria.
Candidates must be living, and their work must already be published, intellectually impactful and beneficial to humanity’s progress. Nominations from individuals or political groups are not accepted, the secretariat said.
This year, the selection committees include prominent experts, scholars and specialists from 16 different countries. The evaluation process adheres to the highest standards of integrity.
The announcement of the winners will be made by the General Secretariat on Jan. 8 at 8:00 p.m. during a ceremony at the Prince Sultan Grand Hall in the Al-Faisaliah Center, Riyadh.
The KFP was established by the King Faisal Foundation in 1977 and was granted for the first time in 1979.
Saudi FM discusses regional developments with Blinken during call
- Blinken called for a final push for a Gaza ceasefire before President Joe Biden leaves office during a visit to South Korea on Monday
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed regional developments and efforts made with regard to them during a call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday.
Blinken called for a final push for a Gaza ceasefire before President Joe Biden leaves office during a visit to South Korea on Monday.
“We very much want to bring this over the finish line in the next two weeks, the time we have remaining,” Blinken told a news conference.
Saudi minister of Islamic affairs meets Palestinian ambassador to the Kingdom
- Mazen Ghoneim praised Saudi authorities for their services to Muslims worldwide
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh received the newly appointed Palestinian Ambassador to the Kingdom Mazen Ghoneim in his office on Monday in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Al-Sheikh discussed the ministry’s programs in service of Palestinian pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah.
Ghoneim praised the Saudi authorities for their services to all Muslims worldwide.
He highlighted the generous program that hosts the family members of Palestinian martyrs, enabling them to perform Hajj with ease.
Al-Jouf olive festival boosts economy, tourism
- Event showcases Al-Jouf region’s olive production, which includes over 23 million trees yielding more than 150,000 tonnes of table olives annually
RIYADH: The 18th Al-Jouf International Olive Festival offers an engaging experience, highlighting the journey of olives from cultivation to the final product.
Held at the Prince Abdullah Cultural Center in Sakaka until Jan. 12, the event showcases the Al-Jouf region’s olive production, which includes over 23 million trees yielding more than 150,000 tonnes of table olives annually.
The festival features 43 local farmers and five agricultural companies offering high-quality olive oil, table olives, and related products, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In addition to competitive pricing, all products meet strict food safety standards, having undergone rigorous testing at Al-Jouf’s municipal laboratory.
Seven analyses — acidity, rancidity, moisture, chemical content, oil blending, taste, and authenticity — ensure the products’ quality. Those that pass receive a certification label for consumer confidence, the SPA added.
The festival has also become a key tourism and economic event for both the Kingdom and Al-Jouf region, attracting significant interest, visitors, and investment.
It also supports families in cottage industries, entrepreneurs, and small businesses by offering spaces to showcase their products, fostering growth and expanding their consumer reach.
Additionally, the festival celebrates Saudi heritage through folk art performances, the Saudi Ardah, traditional fashion, Sadu weaving, plastic arts, poetry, and cultural evenings.
Makkah authorities on high alert amid heavy rains
JEDDAH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority’s Makkah branch has increased its readiness in response to warnings of heavy rain issued by the National Center for Meteorology.
On Monday, several regions of the Kingdom, including Makkah and Madinah, experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms, with the Civil Defense expecting the weather to continue until Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The authority stated that its command-and-control room, ambulance stations, rapid response teams, and volunteer ambulance units in Makkah are fully operational.
The Makkah region has on standby teams of doctors, specialists, and emergency medical technicians, the authority said.
A total of 1,420 staff members are ready to respond, supported by 149 vehicles. This includes advanced ambulances, disaster response vehicles, and an air ambulance for critical situations, the SPA added.
The authority urged citizens and residents to follow official instructions, exercise caution, and prioritize road safety during heavy rainfall.
The public was also asked to cooperate with ambulance teams by clearing the way for them on the roads, the SPA reported.
The authority operates 24/7, and individuals can request ambulance services by calling 997 or through the Asefne app in emergencies.
