Saudi Arabia Deputy Ambassador Jasim Al-Khaldi on Friday announced the construction of 100 small and medium mosques, 100 wells for drinking water and the sponsoring of 2000 eye surgeries in Pakistan costing Rs. 182 million while addressing a press conference at the International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO).
He said that Hafiz-e-Quran competitions would also be organised amongst the country’s youth, and also highlighted the welfare projects being sponsored by Saudi Arabia with the support of IIRO Secretary General Ehsan Bin Salah Tayyab.
He said that these would be a continuation of humanitarian efforts provided by the IIRO’s Pakistan office of the Muslim World League (Rabita Al Alam Al Islami) to help the victims of natural disasters in the country.
This statement followed the recent Saudi gift of a Rs 30 million carpet to the Faisal Mosque Campus of the Islamabad International Islamic University (IIUI).
While addressing the carpet placement ceremony, Saudi Embassy Charge’ d’ Affaires Jassim Al-Khalidi said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have brotherly relations rooted in historical and religious bonds, adding that the carpet was a token of this everlasting friendship.
The Saudi government also gifted carpets to the Faisal Mosque 30 years back.
Khalidi said that the mosque was central to Islamic societies, unifying the community. He stressed that Muslims should refrain from extremism and violence and termed sectarianism the root cause of many of the Ummah’s problems.
The official assured cooperation to the IIUI in its educational endeavours, lauding the university’s role in providing quality education to the students of Muslim countries.
The Indonesian Ambassador Burhan Mohamed, Omani ambassador, Palestinian ambassador, former Caretaker Federal Minster Feroz Jamal Shah Kakakhel, IIUI Rector Dr. Masoom Yasinzai, IIUI President Dr. Ahmed Yousif Al-Draiweesh and IIUI university staff were also present on the occasion.