Mohammed Ali Hafiz, co-founder of Arab News and a pioneering figure in Saudi Arabia’s media industry, passed away in Jeddah on Sunday in his late eighties. He served as editor-in-chief from 1977 to 1979 and played a central role in establishing English-language journalism in the Kingdom. Funeral prayers will be held at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, with condolences received in Jeddah.

Born into a prominent publishing family, Hafiz helped launch Arab News in 1975 alongside his brother Hisham Ali Hafiz. What began as a modest operation in a garage in Jeddah grew into a leading international publication and laid the foundation for the Saudi Research and Media Group. The brothers also founded other major publications, including Asharq Al-Awsat, the first Arabic-language international daily newspaper.

Last year, Hafiz was honored during the newspaper’s fiftieth anniversary celebrations in Riyadh in recognition of his pioneering contributions to Saudi journalism. Paying tribute, Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas said, 'May he rest in peace. We vow to continue to honor his legacy, vision, and work ethic.'