Governor of Assir region Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who is also the Director General of King Faisal Chairty Foundation, announced last night at a special ceremony in Riyadh, the winners of King Faisal International prizes for the year 2006 in categories of Service to Islam, Islamic studies, Arabic Language and Literature and Science (Chemistry). The Prize for Service to Islam has been awarded to Tatarstan President Mintimer Sharipovich Shaimev in recognition of his distinguished services to Islam, including his steadfast efforts to revive Islamic culture in the Republic of Tatarstan, promote Islamic teachings and values among its population, and rebuild Islamic mosques destroyed during previous eras. Today, more than 1000 mosques have been rebuilt, including 40 in the capital city of Kazan, whereas only four mosques had remained during the communist rule of that country. President Shsimiev's reign has also witnessed the inauguration of the Ghol Sharif mosque, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture, as well as the printing of the Holy Qur'an and major Islamic books, inception of numerous Islamic schools and societies and establishment of the Russian Islamic University which teaches in Russian, Tatarian and Arabic languages. The president is also acknowledged for pursuing a wise policy that helped consolidate rapport and peaceful coexistence among members of the population, and culminated in a discernible economic and cultural development of that country. --MORE