Imam-e-Kaaba calls on president, PM: Pakistan urges the Muslim world to unite against terrorism

• President emphasises the need to counter Islamophobia

• Imam-e-Kaaba agrees with suggestions for unity of Muslim world

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Monday proposed a system for the rehabilitation and support of the people suffering from unrest and instability in different parts of the Muslim world and said that the whole Muslim Ummah, including Pakistan and Saudi Arabia should work actively to eradicate the menace.

The president said this while talking to Imam-e-Kaaba Sheikh Saleh bin Muhammad al-Talib who along-with a delegation called on him at the President House in Islamabad.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, Minister for Communication Dr Hafiz Abdul Karim, Senator Sajid Mir and Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Saeed Bin Almalky were also present on the occasion.

The president emphasised that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had convergence of views on international and regional issues and both fully cooperated with each other on international forums.

He highlighted that every year Saudi government makes excellent arrangements for Hajj and Umrah. He said that Pakistan fully supported the Saudi government’s Vision 2030 which would create stability in the region and strengthen the country’s economy.

He further said that Islamophobia had emerged in the world during the last few years and there was a need to counter it.

“I am pleased that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are working together to eliminate these misperceptions against Islam,” he said.

He said that an effective system should be developed through mutual consultation for the restoration of the people affected from unrest in Muslim world.

The president pointed out that unrest was promoted in different part of the Islamic world and the Muslims should learn a lesson from it and should work united to eradicate it.

He stressed that the curriculum of religious educational institutions should be improved in accordance with the requirement of modern era so that the coming generations could meet the challenges of the modern world. He emphasised the need to include science and technology subjects in the curriculum. The president said that Pakistan wanted Saudi Arabia to be so strong that no power could cast a bad eye on it.

On the occasion, the president also conveyed his best wishes for the King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman and the people of Saudi Arabia.

Imam-e-Kaaba said, “The relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is not merely a diplomatic one but it is relationship based on faith. Pakistan is Saudi Arabia’s strength and both countries have collective goals.”

“Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are the major powers of the Islamic world and we have full confidence on their leadership,” he added.

He said that he fully agreed with the suggestions for the unity and proposals to meet the challenges faced by the Muslim Ummah.

Imam-e-Kaaba also met Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and discussed the issues concerning the Muslim world along with bilateral ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, Imam-e-Kaaba held a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and discussed the issues and challenges Muslim countries were facing across the world.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and Minister for Auqaf and Religious Affairs Syed Zaeem Qadri and religious scholars were also present in the meeting.

The chief minister talked about the strategy to further strengthen the ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Imam-e-Kaaba called upon National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in Parliament House and admired Pakistan’s role for maintaining peace in the region and its commitment to eradicate the menace of terrorism and extremism from the country and beyond.

Talking to the speaker, he expressed immense pleasure on his visit to Pakistan and said that the people of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had a strong and eternal bond.

“Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are like two bodies and one soul. Our sorrow, happiness, and destination are the same. Both the countries are the symbol of peace, brotherhood, progress, and prosperity,” he said.

He further said that Pakistan had a significant place in the Muslim world and was playing a vital role for peace and stability in the region.

While talking about the Kashmir issue, Imam-e-Kaaba said that he considered Kashmir to be a part of Pakistan.

“I always remember the innocent people of Kashmir in my prayers,” Imam-e-Kaaba said.

He said that terrorism and extremism could not be tolerated anymore and they should not be linked to Islam. He called for unity in ranks of the Muslim world and condemned sectarianism and extremism.

He said that terrorism was destroying the economy and spreading poverty and ignorance in the world and it was the responsibility of the Islamic scholars to stand against it.

The speaker said that Pakistan was worried about the situation of the entire Muslim Ummah.

“Terrorism, extremism, and destruction are common in most of the Islamic world. I think this is the conspiracy designed by our common enemies who do not want the development and prosperity of the Islamic world”, the speaker said.

The speaker further said that the people and government of Pakistan had the greatest regard for Saudi Arabia and they would never tolerate any aggression against it.

“We are ready to sacrifice our lives for the protection of Harmain Shareefain,” the speaker assured.

He said that the relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were deep-rooted and time-tested and the same level of relationship existed between the people of both countries.

COAS, Imam-e-Kaaba discuss matters of mutual interests:

Imam-e-Kaaba called upon Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and discussed matters of mutual interest.

Speaking on the occasion, Imam-e-Kaaba said that Pakistan had a significant place in the Muslim world and it was playing its vital role for peace and stability in the region.

The COAS said that relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were based on mutual trust and brotherhood.  Both would continue to play part for peace, prosperity and betterment of the Muslim Ummah, he added.

On March 9, Imam-e-Kaaba led the Friday prayer at the center of Markazi Jamiat Ahle-e-Hadith at Kala Shah Kaku. Thousands of people offered the Friday prayer behind him.

He also visited the Faisal Masjid campus of International Islamic University (IIU) on Sunday evening where he led the Maghrib prayer and chaired a seminar on moderation in the light of Quran, Sunnah and their application in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

He prayed for the Muslim world’s prosperity and progress, terming Pakistan and Saudi Arabian ties as exemplary.

The seminar was attended by IIUI Rector Dr Masoom Yasinzai, IUII President Dr Ahmed Yousif Ahmed Al-Draiweesh and other renowned personalities, including diplomats.