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 |
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]
Al Meena received his education in different countries, including the United States, Britain and Pakistan.[5] He attended the St. Patrick's College in Karachi and graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Karachi.[6]
Al 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.[7] He left his post in 1993, becoming the CEO of the Saudi Public Relations Company (SPRC),[8] 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.[9] His term ended in February 2014 and he was succeeded by Somayya Jabarti in the post.[10] Almaeena occasionally contributes commentary columns for Gulf News, Al Eqtisadiah, Times of Oman, Asian Age, The China Post,[7] Asharq Al-Awsat, Al Madina and Urdu News.[11] He was also a Saudi television news anchor, talk show host, radio announcer and lecturer.[8] Khaled Almaeena also serves as a Member of Advisory Board for Gulf at TAIB Bank.[12]
Al 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.[11]
As 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.[13]
Al Maeena was honored with the third highest civilian award Sitara-e-Pakistan in 2008 by the Pakistan government.[6]