Turki bin Abdullah Al-Dakhil is a Saudi diplomat, media personality, and journalist.
He is well known as one of the founding members of Al Arabiya TV channel and its digital platform Al Arabiya Net,
where he also served as Director General of Al Arabiya and Al Hadath channels from January 2015 to January 2019.
Early Life
Turki Al-Dakhil was born on July 2, 1973, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and grew up in a conservative family.
His father, Abdullah Al-Dakhil, and his mother, Maznah bint Mohammed Al-Otaishan, were deeply involved in his upbringing.
His mother was particularly protective, often investigating the backgrounds of his friends, which he later described as a breach of privacy.
His parents placed strong educational and moral boundaries around him, to the extent that he rarely explored Riyadh until around 1979.
Education
Turki studied in Riyadh schools and later earned his university degree from Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University,
majoring in Hadith Studies in the College of Fundamentals of Religion.
He also took specialized training courses in journalism, photography, and website management in the United States.
In January 2011, he obtained a master’s degree in Islamic Studies from Al-Maqasid University in Beirut,
graduating with a “very good” grade for his thesis titled “The ‘Hajar Al-Zawiyah’ Program by Sheikh Dr. Salman Al-Ouda: An Analytical Comparative Study.”
Career
Turki Al-Dakhil began his career in journalism in 1989, becoming a professional in 1994.
He worked for several prominent Saudi newspapers, including Al-Riyadh, Okaz, Asharq Al-Awsat, and Al-Hayat, where he served as a political editor.
Between 1997 and 1998, he worked as a correspondent for Radio Monte Carlo International and then for MBC FM before transitioning to MBC TV,
and subsequently joining Al Arabiya in 2003.
There, he hosted the popular weekly talk show “Ida’at” (Illuminations) and was later appointed Director General.
He co-founded the Sheikh Zayed Book Award and was a member of its Supreme Committee until 2008.
In December 2018, he was appointed by royal decree as Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, a role he held until October 2023.
Al-Dakhil also heads the Al-Mesbar Studies and Research Center in Dubai and is the owner of Madarek Publishing House.
Achievements
- Founded several cultural and literary websites, including “Jasad,” focused on arts and literature.
- One of the founders and former supervisor of the electronic news platforms Elaph and Al Arabiya Net.
- Selected in 2007 and 2010 by Arabian Business Magazine as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Arabs.
- Hosted “Ida’at”, which won Best Talk Show at the 6th Arab Media Forum in Kuwait in 2009 and again at the Gulf Radio and Television Festival in Bahrain in 2010.
- Named “Prince of Dialogue” by Rotana Magazine in 2007, and Best Saudi TV Presenter by Al-Riyadh newspaper in 2009.
- Authored several books including “Saudis in America,” “I Was in Afghanistan,” “Salman Al-Ouda: From Prison to Enlightenment,” “How Gaddafi Thinks,” and “A Jewel in a Coal Miner’s Hand”.
In February 2019, he was officially appointed as Ambassador to the UAE. In September 2023,
UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan awarded him the “Zayed II Order” – First Class, in recognition of his diplomatic service.
Awards
- 2024: Saudi Media Forum Award (Journalism Category)
- 2007: “Prince of Dialogue” by Rotana Magazine
- 2009: Best Saudi TV Presenter (Al-Riyadh Newspaper Survey)
- 2009: “Ida’at” won Best Talk Show – Arab Media Forum
- 2010: “Ida’at” won Best Talk Show – Gulf Radio and Television Festival
- 2007 & 2010: Listed among “Top 100 Most Influential Arabs” by Arabian Business
- 2023: Received the prestigious Zayed II Order – First Class from the UAE President
Personal Life
Turki Al-Dakhil is married and has three children.
