Who were granted Saudi citizenship?

Islam Zween CEO of Argaam

A Royal Decree was issued to grant Saudi citizenship to a number of scientists, physicians, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished talents with unique expertise and specializations.
 
The announcement is made in line with the Royal Decree to grant Saudi citizenship to experts and exceptional global talents with unique competencies in religious, medical, scientific, cultural, sports, and technological fields.
 
Islam Zween, CEO of Argaam, who holds Master's degree from Alexandria University in Egypt, was granted the Saudi citizenship. He has over 25 years of experience in technology, media, and business management.

Over the past 18 years, Zween has dedicated his efforts to building pioneering digital projects in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt, including "Argaam Financial Portal" and Akhbaar 24.com.

Zween is deemed as one of the rare pioneers in the Arab world for a media model emphasizing qualitative and educational content aimed at profitability. Since 2013, he has implemented a new strategy at Argaam, transforming it into the leading provider of financial media and data journalism in Saudi Arabia and the GCC. He also revamped the company's business model, contributing to diversifying its revenue streams and achieving profitability.

Through Argaam, Zween has launched numerous initiatives and projects that enriched the content related to financial data and investment awareness in the Kingdom. He has led many successful partnerships in the media and financial data fields with local and Gulf entities and made significant contributions to the development of financial media in the Kingdom and the Gulf. Under his leadership, Argaam won the Best Economic Platform in Arab World Award for 2023.
 

Among those recently granted Saudi citizenship, according to Asharq Al Awsat and Al Eqtisadiah newspapers, are:

Mehmood Khan: A US national who serves as CEO of the Hevolution Foundation, the first nonprofit organization to fund research through grants and provide investments in biotechnology to stimulate health sciences. Khan specializes in a precise field, holds an MD from a prestigious university, and has over 10 years of practical experience, including managing academic programs like the Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Nutrition Trials Unit at the Mayo Clinic, and serving as the Chief Scientific Officer and Head of Global Research and Development at PepsiCo.

Jackie Y. Ying: An American scientist of Singaporean origin, who served as the founding executive director of the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology in Singapore (2003-2018). She currently leads the NanoBio Lab and is a senior research fellow at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). She has published extensively on biomedical engineering and nanotechnology topics. Professor Ying was elected a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, a member of the German National Academy of Sciences, and named one of the "100 Engineers of the Modern Era."
 

Niveen Khashab: A Lebanese scientist with advanced expertise and contributions in bioengineering and nanomaterials. She is a founding member of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and has been an associate professor of chemical science and engineering there since 2009. She is one of the laureates of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award in 2017 for her contributions to inventing innovative smart hybrid materials aimed at drug delivery and developing new technology to observe antioxidant activity between cells.
 

Noreddine Ghaffour: A French scientist who holds a PhD in membrane separation techniques from the University of Montpellier (1995) and is currently a professor of environmental science and engineering at KAUST. He specializes in water desalination techniques and has published articles and research on environmental science, renewable energy, and membrane separation.
 

Faraz Khalid: An Indian entrepreneur with an MBA in entrepreneurial project management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is the CEO of the e-commerce platform Noon and co-founded Namshi, where he served as managing director and was responsible for creating, launching, and expanding the website.
 

Dr. Moatasem Al-Zoubi: A Syrian neurosurgeon who has performed numerous Siamese twin separation surgeries in the Kingdom and abroad.
 

Rami Al-Qawasmi: CEO of Mawdoo3.com, known for his passion for artificial intelligence and startup development. He has created and developed over 10 companies before the age of 30. Under his leadership, Mawdoo3.com raised $23.5 million in a funding round.
 

Ahmed Mirghani: A Sudanese entrepreneur with an MBA in entrepreneurship from Prince Mohammed bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship. He is a co-founder and a leading figure at BIM Ventures and founded the "Angel Investor Mine" network, which has significantly contributed to bringing many traditional investors into the world of venture capital and the entrepreneurship ecosystem.