ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Monday proposed a system for the rehabilitation and support of people suffering due to unrest and instability in different parts of the Islamic World and said the whole Muslim Ummah, including Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, should work actively to counter Islamophobia.
While talking to Imam of Masjid Al-Haram Saleh Bin Muhammad Al Talib, who along with a delegation called on him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president emphasised that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had convergence of views on international and regional issues and that both fully cooperated each other on international forums. He stated that Pakistan fully supported the Saudi government’s vision 2030, which would create stability in the region and strengthen the economy.
The president underscored that Islamophobia had emerged in the world during the last few years, which needed to be countered. “I am pleased that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are working together to eliminate the misperceptions against Islam,” he said.
The president underlined that an effective system through mutual consultation should be developed for the restoration of the people affected from unrest in the Muslim world. He pointed out that unrest was promoted in different parts of the Islamic world and Muslims should learn a lesson from it and should work in unison to eradicate the menace.
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.
In this respect, it was imperative to include the subjects of science and technology in the curriculum, he added.
The president stated that Pakistan wanted Saudi Arabia to be so strong that no power could cast a bad eye on it.
The Imam of Masjid Al-Haram said that relationship of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia was not merely a diplomatic one but it was based on faith. Pakistan was the strength of Saudi Arabia and both countries had collective goals, he added.
He said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were the major powers of the Islamic world. He said he fully agreed with the suggestions for the unity and to meet the challenges faced by the Muslim Ummah.
Imam-e-Kaaba also had a meeting with Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa in Rawalpindi. They discussed matters of mutual interest.
Speaking on the occasion, the Imam-e-Kaaba said Pakistan had a significant place in the Muslim world and that it was playing its vital role for peace and stability in the region.
The army chief said relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were based on mutual trust and brotherhood.
The visiting dignitary also called one Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq at the Parliament House. Talking to the speaker, he expressed immense pleasure on his visit to Pakistan and said that people of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had strong and eternal bonds. “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.
While talking about the Kashmir issue, Imam-e-Kaaba said that he considered Kashmir the part of Pakistan. “I always remember the innocent people of Kashmir in my prayers,” he said.
He was of the view that terrorism and extremism should not be linked to Islam. He called for unity in ranks of the Muslim Ummah and condemned sectarianism and extremism. “Terrorism is destroying economy and spreading poverty and ignorance in the world . . . so it is the responsibility of the Islamic scholars to stand against this evil,” he said.
Published in Daily Times, March 13th 2018.
