Saudi Gazette report

MADINAH – Emir of Madinah Prince Faisal Bin Salman has emphasized the need to operate the King Fahd Qur’an Printing Complex on the basis of a self-financing system.

He made the comment after visiting the complex with Islamic Affairs Minister Dr. Saleh Al-Asheikh and other top officials.

“Self-financing is the best option for the Qur’an printing complex in order to continue its activities and carry on with its noble mission,” the emir said while commending the institution's efforts to spread the message of Qur’an all over the world.

The complex not only prints millions of copies of the Holy Qur’an but also prints translation of the meaning of its verses and their commentary in different languages including English, French, Urdu, Tagalog and Bahasa.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs reopened the complex three months ago. It has produced 6 million high quality copies of the Qur’an.

Prince Faisal commended the government’s support to the complex under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

Al-Asheikh said the emir emphasized the need to protect the interest of the complex’s employees and facilitate their transfer to other companies.

Al-Asheikh presented a copy of the Qur’an printed at the complex to Prince Faisal.

In September 2016, the complex served termination notices to more than 1,300 contract workers from Saudi Oger in order to cut costs while Saudi workers were asked to register their names with the General Organization for Social Insurance’s Saned program for monthly support until they find new jobs.

The move affected employees who had been working with the complex for years. The workers said at the time that they were already struggling for survival due to delays in salaries and allowances in months prior to the retrenchment.