Pakistan capable of protecting holy sites: Imam-e-Kaa’ba

JUI-F chief hints at reviving alliance of religious parties in forthcoming elections

NOWSHEHRA: Imam-i-Kaa’ba Sheikh Saleh Bin Mohammad Bin Ibrahim, while lavishing the Pakistani nation with praise for fighting hardships depite heavy odds, on Sunday said Paksitan has the “capability of protecting” holy sites.

“Pakistan may be passing through hardships and [confronting] many problems, but it doesn’t mean that they have forgotten the fact how to protect their religious holy sites [in Makkah and Madina],” the Imam-i-Kaa’ba said while addressing a congregation.

He was in the country to attend the centenary celebrations of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) that concluded on Sunday. The visiting dignitary praised what he described as “Pakistan’s compact stance on the protection of holy sites”.

An aerial view of the JUI-F gathering in Nowshera. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD IQBAL/EXPRESS

Ibrahim said participation of millions of people in the congregation was a manifestation of the fact that Muslims were united and they wouldn’t close their eyes when it comes to protecting the holy sites in Saudi Arabia.

He on behalf of Saudi government and its people thanked Pakistan and its nation for their firm stance on the issue.

“Beware [Muslims] that some people want to break the line between you and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to stop you from following the teachings of Islam and hence we need to be united under the flag of Islam,” Ibrahim added.

Talking about the important role being played by the seminaries and religious parties in spreading the message of peace to the world, he said seminaries and religious parties were denouncing all sorts of terrorism and asking people to stay away from any sort of terrorism.



Urging Muslims to be united for the sake of Islam, he said: “Muslims shouldn’t fight among each other but stand united for the betterment of society and this is what the congregations conveys the message.

“Islam doesn’t teach terrorism, sectarianism at any cost but it asked the Ummah to get united and spread the message of peace across the globe,” he said.

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in his address assured Imam-e-Kaa’ba of Pakistani nation’s firm belief in rendering their lives for the protection of Haramain Sharifain.

“Pakistan’s every child, youth and elder is ready to render sacrifices for the protection of holy sites in Makkah and Madina.”

Condemning terrorism across the world, he made it clear that there was no space for terrorism in Islam.

Fazl also hinted at restoring the alliance of religious parties in the upcoming general elections; however, he didn’t mention if they are reviving the defunct Mutaheda Majlees Amal (MMA).

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq, while addressing the congregation the other day, said he left it to Maulana Fazlur Rehman to take a decision on the revival of the defunct alliance.



Speaking about better bilateral relations with neighboring countries, Maulana Fazl said: “We should strengthen ties with all neighboring countries including India and Afghanistan since it’s in the larger interests of nations on both sides of the border.”

Condemning the ‘shameful’ role of the UN to resolve the Kashmir issue, he said grave human rights violations were being committed on the defenceless people of Occupied Kashmir but UN agencies and international powers were yet to resolve the issue.

He criticised the US for attacking a “peaceful” Afghanistan and toppling the Taliban from power.

“The US has intervened in Iraq, Syria, Libya, and many other countries and spilled blood for the sake of controlling their resources,” Maulana lamented and asked the US and other foreign troops to vacate Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, addressing a large congregation in Lahore’s Badshahi Mosque the Imam-i-Kaa’ba said: “Islam is a religion of peace but it does not mean that Muslim cannot defend their religion and holy places.”

“It is a divine religion and Allah has promised to protect it.”

He said the Muslim Ummah was passing through trying times and added that there was no need to worry till the time Muslims were united and following the teachings of Islam and the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

The Imam-e-Kaa’ba led Maghrib prayers at Badshahi Masjad in which a large number of people participated.