Speakers term Pak-Saudi relations vital for unity of Ummah

Say Muslim world needs to unite to face present-day challenges of economic, political pressures

Participants of a seminar at International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) describing Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as major players of Muslim unity stated that 1.8 billion Muslims across the world must address challenges with a collective approach and unison.

Seminar titled “Role of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Pakistan in Promotion of Muslim Unity and Social peace: in light of Muslim World League (MWL) international conference on Islamic unity — the perils of labeling and exclusion” was organised by Islamic Research Institute (IRI) of the university at the Faisal Masjid campus.

The MWL conference was organised in Mecca in the second week of December where intellectuals and scholars declared KSA the heart of Islam and called upon Muslims to create unity among ranks.

Describing Saudi Arabia as the center of Islam, speakers of the seminar showed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and appreciated its efforts for Muslim unity.  Speakers underlined the urgent need for the Muslim world to unite efforts and consolidate economic, social and political projects now more than ever. They called for bringing all Muslims under one banner and one word to face the challenges that surround them today.

Federal Minister of Religious Affairs an Interfaith Harmony Pir Nur Haq Qadri said that labeling is not Islam but a path of differences. He said Islam is a religion of collective opinion, mutual respect and these attributes are required to be disseminated across the world. He appreciated IIUI for spreading the Paigham-e-Pakistan narrative through the nation and said that it was being hailed across the world. Talking about the religious harmony, the minister said that the Premier had assigned a task to one of his envoys to work for a legislation on respect for religions.

Speaking at the seminar IIUI Rector Dr Masoom Yasinzai said that Pakistan and KSA share the common objective of Muslim unity which brings brotherly nations further closer.



He said that IIUI was an omen of strong bilateral ties between both nations. He added that university also reflects shared goal of both countries that is practical application of peaceful co-existence. Pakistanis have inexpressible love for KSA as it is a land of two holy mosques. He said recent successful visit of Pakistani premier shows that mutual relations between both Muslim states will further strengthen in future.

IIUI President Dr Ahmed Yousif Al-Draiweesh said that assembling of the seminar comes at a crucial time when the world suffers from dispersion, disagreement, fragmentation, fanaticism. He said that unity and harmony were prerequisites for maintaining peace across the world. 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20^th, 2018.