ISLAMABAD: Imam-e-Kaaba Sheikh Saleh bin Muhammad Bin Talib called on Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on Saturday.
The PM welcomed the cleric to Pakistan and said that the Pakistanis attach great religious and spiritual attachment with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia due to the Kaaba.
The PM said, “Although Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are geographically located apart but mutual Islamic and cultural values have kept our hearts together.” He said that relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have become closer and stronger and the people of both the countries have lot of respect for each other.
The PM emphasised that Islam is the message of love, peace, patience, forgiveness and respect for humanity and it is the need of time to spread this message all over the world.
The PM said that religious leaders and scholars should unanimously counter negative propaganda being wrongly portrayed against Islam.
Imam-e-Kaaba thanked Nawaz for the warm welcome accorded to him at Pakistan.
Habeebullah Al-Bokhari, acting ambassador of Saudi Arabia and Religious Affairs Minister Muhammad Yousaf were also present.
Separately, President Mamnoon Hussain called for establishing an international group, comprising of clerics who should present true picture of Islam to bring the misled back to normal life.
He was talking to Imam-e-Kaaba who called on him at the Presidency, read a press release.
He called for making concerted efforts to remove misperception about Islam, adding Muslim Ummah should stand united in defeating terrorism and extremist mindset.
Mamnoon said Pakistan was committed to protect the sanctity of the Two Holy Mosques and any aggression against Saudi Arabia would be considered an aggression against Pakistan.
He said the people and the Government of Pakistan have the greatest regard for Saudi Arabia.
The president said the relations between the two brotherly countries were embedded in strong bonds of friendship, religion, fraternity, shared history and cultural ties.
He noted that Saudi Arabia has always supported Pakistan on all important issues at the regional and international forums including Kashmir dispute.
He expressed his gratitude that Saudi Arabia stood by Pakistan in every difficult hour and rendered assistance during natural calamities which was greatly valued by the people of Pakistan.
Mamnoon thanked the kingdom on restoring 20% Hajj quota for Pakistan and lauded the Kingdom for making excellent arrangements for Hajj and Umrah every year.
During the meeting, Imam-e-Kaaba offered special prayers for the unity, harmony, stability, progress and prosperity of Muslims.
