(MENAFN - Arab News) Undersecretary at the Ministry of Justice Sheikh Muhammad Al-Fuaim described the project for developing unplanned districts in Makkah province as a great undertaking aimed at protecting man, his intellect, religion, pride and wealth in an Islamic perspective.
"The ongoing project is a noble work with a mission of comprehensive development of residents in these districts," he said.
Al-Fuaim, who is also chairman of the legal committee for the project, told Arab News that it is the right of the people who are residing in these districts since decades to have a decent living with all the required facilities and services, including health care, education and employment opportunities, in addition to security for themselves as well as to their wealth. "The project aims at making available of all these facilities and services," he said.
According to Al-Fuaim, unplanned districts pose a dangerous signal and disturbing element to the serene and peaceful life as well as to the sanctity of the holy city.
"Several years ago, I came to Makkah to work as a judge at a court. I have had the feeling that the calmness and quietness of this sacred place is being disturbed by unplanned inhabited areas here and there, and scattered houses built on mountaintops," he said.
Al-Fuaim noted that Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal shouldered the responsibility of transforming these unplanned regions into highly developed and beautiful urban centers.
After getting approval from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for the governor's project, a high-level ministerial committee had been constituted.
There are six ministers among the members of the committee, which is headed by Crown Prince Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior.
The governor started implementing the project in an organized and systematic way for which an executive committee, comprising representatives of all the concerned government departments and agencies, had been formed.
Recalling his experience as a judge in Makkah, Al-Fuaim noted that most of the accused whom he tried for various criminal acts were those who have poor educational background and hailing from these unplanned districts.