The holy city of Madina receives its fair share of development projects when King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, visits Monday. A number of electricity, water, and health projects worth SR12 billion will be inaugurated in the areas surrounding the Prophet's Mosque. This was announced by Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Majed Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of Madina Region, at a press conference here on Saturday. The Monarch will also be briefed on completed projects and several other projects currently under study, he said. Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Majed said the Royal approval for treating Madina as a Haj zone effective from this year will have a positive impact and will enable the region to extend excellent services to the pilgrims. Islamic University Dr. Mohammad Bin Ali Al-Oqla, Director of the Islamic University in Madina, said eight projects are currently being carried out at the university, at a cost of over SR245 million. Al-Oqla said the current building projects include the Holy Qur'an College building at a cost of SR35 million, the Hadith College building at the same cost, the Arabic Language building at just over SR43 million and the College of Osoul Adeen (or Fundamentals of Religion) at just under SR37 million. Each of the faculties will have three floors, with lecture halls, offices for faculty members and administrators, and other facilities like libraries and multi-use halls. Also begun is the Clinics Building that will contain 17 clinics for men and 6 for women, as well as two pharmacies, and 7 administrative offices. The Central Library, costing SR27 million, is now under construction, along with student housing of 4 buildings, each housing 348 students, and with rooms for supervisors, kitchens and laundry rooms, all costing SR60 million. – Okaz __
