The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has been named the winner of King Faisal International Prize for Service to Islam for the year 1428 AH. The announcement was made by Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, after he presided over the 30th session of the Prize's Selection Committee, which was held here yesterday. The nomination of King Abdullah bin Abdul-aziz for the prize comes in line with his achievements in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and abroad. King Abdullah bin Abdul-aziz led the National Guard since 1964, and under his leadership the National Guard made big strides and became a cultural, social and healthy military institution. In 1975, he became the Second Deputy Premier in addition to his presidency of the National Guard. In 1982, he became the Crown Prince and the First Deputy Premier in addition to his presidency of the National Guard. In 2005, he ascended to the throne as the King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. King Abdullah bin Abdul-aziz also heads premier institutions like the Supreme Economic Council, the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), King Abdullah foundation for his parents, the Supreme Council for the handicapped, King Abdulaziz foundation for the care of the gifted. His achievements include the establishment of King Abdullah Economic City which has an invested capital of SR 100 billion, King Abdullah Financial Center, and the Investment Fund for the persons of limited income. King Abdullah's achievements also include establishment of ten universities in addition to King Abdullah University for Sciences and Technology (KAUST), Housing units for the people of limited income, the establishment of Human Rights Commission, as well as the Center of National Dialogue, allocation of more than SR 10 billion for the Holy Mosque of Makkah, King Abdulaziz Endowment for the Two Holy Mosques, Jamrat bridge, tunnels between Mina and Makkah, expansion of (Mas'aa) at the Holy Mosque and expansion of surrounding areas from the northern side, completion of the projects of the Prophet's Mosque, shading the surrounding areas and establishment of a transport station and a parking lot for the cars in addition to tunnels. --MORE
