Hajj conference: Tehran, Islamabad to discuss pilgrim security
Iranian delegation invites Pakistan religious affairs ministry officials to discuss security issues for pilgrims.
ISLAMABAD:
An Iranian delegation, headed by Qazi Asghar, representative of Wali-e-Faqih (religious guardian) in Iran’s hajj and pilgrimage affairs department, has invited officials of the Pakistan religious affairs ministry to discuss security-related issues for pilgrims who visit holy shrines every year.
Asghar extended the invitation during an interaction on Monday with parliamentarians and officials of the religious affairs ministry. He briefed members of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Religious Affairs about his country’s hajj arrangements.
Religious Affairs Secretary Shaukat Hayat Durrani also briefed the delegation about Pakistan’s arrangements. Iranian officials informed the committee that they are preparing a proposal [a memorandum of understanding] to tackle all issues, including the security of pilgrims. However, they did not share any details about this proposal during the meeting.
The delegation will participate in the International Hajj Conference on Tuesday (today) and meet Religious Affairs Minister Khurshid Shah to discuss rising security concerns for pilgrims in the region.
The Iranian delegation will also meet delegations from other countries during the conference. Participants are flying in from India, Bangladesh, China, Afghanistan and Tajikistan, and will give a briefing on hajj policies in their respective countries.
The issue of pilgrims’ security will remain a focal point of this conference, said Joint Secretary Shahzad, who is preparing the agenda for the conference. “Security for visitors is the prime responsibility of religious guardians of all countries,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2011.
An Iranian delegation, headed by Qazi Asghar, representative of Wali-e-Faqih (religious guardian) in Iran’s hajj and pilgrimage affairs department, has invited officials of the Pakistan religious affairs ministry to discuss security-related issues for pilgrims who visit holy shrines every year.
Asghar extended the invitation during an interaction on Monday with parliamentarians and officials of the religious affairs ministry. He briefed members of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Religious Affairs about his country’s hajj arrangements.
Religious Affairs Secretary Shaukat Hayat Durrani also briefed the delegation about Pakistan’s arrangements. Iranian officials informed the committee that they are preparing a proposal [a memorandum of understanding] to tackle all issues, including the security of pilgrims. However, they did not share any details about this proposal during the meeting.
The delegation will participate in the International Hajj Conference on Tuesday (today) and meet Religious Affairs Minister Khurshid Shah to discuss rising security concerns for pilgrims in the region.
The Iranian delegation will also meet delegations from other countries during the conference. Participants are flying in from India, Bangladesh, China, Afghanistan and Tajikistan, and will give a briefing on hajj policies in their respective countries.
The issue of pilgrims’ security will remain a focal point of this conference, said Joint Secretary Shahzad, who is preparing the agenda for the conference. “Security for visitors is the prime responsibility of religious guardians of all countries,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2011.