Punjab

Islam does not allow extremism or terrorism: Imam-e-Kaaba

Imam-e-Kaaba Sheikh Khalidul Ghamidi delivers sermon, leads Friday prayers at Bahria Town mosque in Lahore

Rana Tanveer April 24, 2015

Express News screengrab

LAHORE: Thousands, including women and children, gathered at Bahria Town mosque in Lahore as Imam-e-Kaaba Sheikh Khalidul Ghamidi led Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque.

Sheikh Ghamidi gave a sermon after leading the call for prayer (Azaan).

“Islam is a clear and open religion which teaches peace,” the Imam said in his sermon.

“Enemies are propagating against Islam." Further, he said, “Islam does not allow extremism or terrorism.”

“Islam cannot be imposed by force, the Prophet (PBUH) treated non-believers with respect and gave them their rights,” he said, urging Muslims to give minorities their rights.

Express News screengrab of Imam giving Friday's sermon

Before the Azaan, the Imam-e-Kaaba was introduced to the gathering.

“Sheikh Ghamidi hails from the family of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He is offering prayers and sermon in Kaaba for the past 8 years. He was born in Makkah and is a PhD doctor,” the announcement said.

The Imam-e-Kaaba was previously the Imam of Masjid-e-Quba and Masjid-e-Nabvi. He is also a professor at Jamiatul Qura in Saudi Arabia.

Strict security measures have been taken at the Grand Jamia Masjid. Bahria Town chairman Malik Riaz is also present at the mosque.

Imam-e-Kaaba arrived in Pakistan on Thursday on special invitation of the government and is scheduled to stay in the country for the next five to six days.

Read: Imam-e-Kaaba to visit Pakistan

Express News screengrab of worshippers at the Grand Mosque

A local news channel quoted highly-placed sources in the Saudi government as saying the Imam-e-Kaaba will visit the country to defuse tensions between the traditional allies, which developed following the Parliament’s resolution rejecting the Saudi request of personnel support in Yemen recently.

Express News screengrab of Malik Riaz at the Grand Mosque

The mosque is billed as being the seventh largest of its kind. The main hall of the mosque can accommodate 25,000 worshippers and it has a total capacity of 70,000. It has 21 domes and four 165 feet high minarets.

Express News screengrab of Grand Jamia Masjid

COMMENTS (8)

Raju Indian | 9 years ago | Reply Boss - where were you all these years - you should have been speaking louder and more often and from each and every street corner of the so called Muslim world - sadly there are enough of your own who will not believe you

dr. shafique | 9 years ago | Reply Too little, too late! Much of the world's violent terrorism has Saudi origin and has exploited Pakistan's stupid policy of using terrorism as a foreign policy tool which is utterly wrong and self-destructive, as we see it happening in our midst. When are we going to learn to separate state and religion? That's the best way forward. I will not be surprised if the recent euphoria over China's potential huge investment in Pakistan turns out to be an empty bubble and, if something does materialize, Pakistan will have to pay a heavy price for its asymmetrical dependence on China. The Saudis, following the Americans, are getting tired of just emptying their goody bags into a country that looks like a bottomless barrel.

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Farhan | 9 years ago | Reply Better teach this lesson to Saudis. Your prince is awarding luxurious cars to pilots bombing Yamenis. It's not hidden from anyone how you have partnered with Israel behind scenes.

Appan | 9 years ago | Reply Welcome move. I wish this message is widely published. Will this be shown to all the terrorists who kill innocents in the name of Jihad? will they ever change?

Xman | 9 years ago | Reply So how come no one visited, to diffuse the so called "tension", when thousands of Pakistanis were being blown to bits by the extremist in the name of Sharia compliant Islam? Goes on to show religion once again is being used to forward political agendas. Hope atleast this generation of Pakistanis wakes up from the dogma induced slumber, and comprehend the bitter realities.

Sonya | 9 years ago | Reply The real estate tycoon's relationship with Saudi clergy and their fellow-in-faith networks in Pakistan needs to be examined. Bahria Town is stated to have renovated the Red Mosque and given several mosques in his estate to the same hardliner group.

pardesi | 9 years ago | Reply Must have received a plot or two in return.

asif | 9 years ago | Reply Excellent - how very appropriate!

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