Khaled Al Maeena (born 1954/1955[1]) is a veteran Saudi journalist, commentator,[2] businessman and the former editor-in-chief of the Saudi Gazette. He is regarded as a liberal.[3] He is also the patron of Muslim Mirror[4] and the managing partner of Quartz, a communications company, as well as a director at Abeer Medical Group.[5]
Khaled Al Maeena | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1954 or 1955 (age 69–70) |
| Nationality | Saudi Arabian |
| Alma mater | University of Karachi |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, columnist and editor-in-chief |
| Spouse | Samar Fatany |
| Children | Dania, Hassan, Lina, Yasser and Sara |
| Parent | Abdulrahim Almaeena |
| Website | Official website |
Education
editAl Meena received his education in different countries, including the United States, Britain and Pakistan.[6] He attended the St. Patrick's College in Karachi and graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Karachi.[7]
Career
editAl Maeena began his career in 1972, joining the Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) as an intern. He worked at several positions in the airline including as chief editor of Saudi World.[2] In 1982, he became the editor-in-chief of Arab News. Al Maeena was one of four journalists to cover the resumption of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Russia in 1990.[8] He left his post in 1993, becoming the CEO of the Saudi Public Relations Company (SPRC),[9] a position he held for five years. He returned to the top editor's post at Arab News in 1998 and held the post until October 2011.[2]
He was appointed editor-in-chief of Saudi Gazette on 2 April 2012.[10] His term ended in February 2014 and he was succeeded by Somayya Jabarti in the post.[11] Almaeena occasionally contributes commentary columns for Gulf News, Al Eqtisadiah, Times of Oman, Asian Age, The China Post,[8] Asharq Al-Awsat, Al Madina and Urdu News.[12] He was also a Saudi television news anchor, talk show host, radio announcer and lecturer.[9] Khaled Almaeena also serves as a Member of Advisory Board for Gulf at TAIB Bank.[13]
Relations
editAl Maeena was reported to be close to King Fahd and King Abdullah. He is also considered to have close relations with the new king, Salman.[12]
Jeddah floods
editAs a resident of Jeddah, Al Maeena wrote a letter to Khaled Al Faisal, governor of Makkah after the catastrophic 2009 Jeddah floods. The letter was published in Arab News where he was editor-in-chief.[14]
Awards
editAl Maeena was honored with the third highest civilian award Sitara-e-Pakistan in 2008 by the Pakistan government.[7] On April 20, 2019, he received a lifetime achievement award at the second International Media Gala (IMG), organized by Arab News in Dubai.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Arab News at 42: Former editor Khaled Almaeena on the highs and lows of 'The Green Truth'". Arab News. 20 April 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
- ^ a b c "Speakers". IPRA GC. 2012. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
- ^ James Drummond (25 September 2011). "Saudi king says women will be given vote". FT. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
- ^ "About us". Muslim Mirror. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Khaled Almaeena honored at Arab News International Media Gala". Arab News.
- ^ "Our Writers - Jeddah based". Arab News. Archived from the original on 19 November 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ^ a b "Sitara-i-Imtiaz conferred on Saudi journalist". Dawn. 22 January 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
- ^ a b "About K. Almaeena". Khalid Almaeena. Archived from the original on 8 November 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ^ a b "LAS Speaker Series hosts Dr. Khaled Almaeena". Carnegie Mellon, Qatar. 20 March 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ^ "Al-Faiz new editor in chief of Arab News". SRPC. Archived from the original on 16 May 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
- ^ "Saudi woman becomes Kingdom's first female newspaper editor". Asharq Al Awsat. Riyadh. 17 February 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
- ^ a b K.T. Rajasingham (10 October 2011). "Khaled A. Almaeena - the bastion of modern Saudi Arabia". Asian Tribune. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
- ^ "Taib Bank". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved 3 June 2012.[dead link]
- ^ "Letter to Makkah Governor". SUSRIS. 19 December 2009. Retrieved 11 May 2012.