X account launched to honor legacy of Saudi historian Abdulkarim Al-Khatib

In an initiative to preserve media and historical memory and document the legacy of one of its pioneers, a dedicated account has been launched on X to chronicle the life and work of renowned Saudi writer, broadcaster, and historian Abdulkarim Mahmoud Al-Khatib, author of 'The History of Yanbu.' Al-Khatib left behind a wealth of material about Yanbu and its people, alongside a long career in journalism, radio, and authorship.

The account is managed by specialists familiar with Al-Khatib’s history and literary and media output, aiming to collect his scattered works, highlight his contributions for new generations, and revisit milestones in the career of a man whose name is closely linked to a significant era in Saudi media history.

Abdulkarim Al-Khatib was born in Yanbu in 1933 and received his early education there before moving to Egypt to study journalism. He later returned to Saudi Arabia to begin a distinguished media career spanning journalism, radio, administration, and academia.

Among the highlights of his career was the radio program 'Al-Ard Al-Tayyibah' (The Good Land), which he presented on Saudi Radio for nearly 18 years starting in 1964. His voice and the program’s content became part of the collective memory of generations of Saudis. He also hosted 'Majlis Abu Hamdan,' a program that addressed social issues in a dramatic style, leaving a notable mark on the radio landscape.

Al-Khatib’s impact extended beyond media; he was one of the foremost historians of Yanbu, dedicating much of his work to documenting the city’s history, its notable figures, families, and social life. His major works include: 'The History of Yanbu,' 'The Expanded History of Yanbu,' 'Literature from Radwa,' 'Poets of Yanbu and Banu Dhumrah,' and 'Men and Families of Yanbu in Different Eras,' in addition to several novels and short story collections.

Al-Khatib received the King Salman Award and Grant for the History of the Arabian Peninsula in 2012, was honored as a pioneer at the Riyadh International Book Fair in 2006, and was celebrated by the Abdul Maqsood Khoja Monday Cultural Forum in 2014.

He was also honored by the Ministry of Culture and Information, represented by the Riyadh International Book Fair, among the pioneers of history in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Higher Education awarded him, on 23/1/1427H, the 'Special Medal of Honor for Saudi Author Pioneers' in recognition of his role in advancing thought and authorship in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Khatib was also honored by the Literary Club in Madinah and the Literary Club in Al-Baha. He was a member of the Union of Arab Historians and the Saudi Historical Society. He received recognition from the General Presidency of Youth Welfare, during the tenure of Prince Faisal bin Fahd — may God have mercy on him — in the field of culture, heritage, and the arts, in appreciation of his outstanding contributions.

Abdulkarim Al-Khatib passed away on October 16, 2023, leaving a legacy that goes beyond books and programs to become part of the memory of a city and a nation. The launch of the X account offers a new platform for his legacy, reviving the story of a man who made words a tool for media, documentation, and preserving memory.

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