Azhar University closes five dorm buildings

The Public Affairs Coordinator of Al-Azhar University, Aly Abdel Wahed, said on Sunday that the university decided to close five buildings used as dormitories for students due to unfinished maintenance work.

According to state-owned Al-Ahram newspaper, two buildings, Al-Baqoury and Abu Obeida, in the male dorms were closed and three in the female section. The university official added that the building capacity is around 3500 students, which reduces the number of dormitory residents to 15,000 students in total this year.

Registration for the university dormitory started on Saturday when 3000 students were admitted. It is scheduled to continue until September 25.

Earlier this month, a delegation from the university proposed to Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayyeb and Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb that all the dormitories be closed during the upcoming school year, or that the number of students are reduced, to avoid the violence of last year.

According to reports, the damage to date resulting from clashes has cost the university LE30 million.

Al-Azhar campus and dormitories have been the scene of several clashes between Muslim Brotherhood affiliated students and police since the ousting of former President Mohamed Morsi last year.

In May, the president of Al-Azhar expelled 76 students for taking part in riots on campus.