ISLAMABAD: In June 1986, when Dr. Khalid Abbas Asadi was selected to treat engineers, laborers and their families working on the expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, he felt that his mother’s dream that he be able to serve the holy city had finally come true.
Asadi became privy to the job opening by chance when a Saudi friend shared news of the vacancy with him during his last days of studying medicine at a university in Egypt. He applied on a whim and was selected. Since then he has lived in Madinah, serving as a medical doctor at the renowned Dr. Hamid Sulaiman Al-Ahmadi Hospital.
“I was the selected doctor for the families of laborers, engineers and others working on the expansion project [of the Prophet’s Mosque], and this was the luckiest moment of my life because my mother’s dream came true,” Asadi, a father of four originally from Karachi, told Arab News in an interview.
The Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah is one of the biggest mosques in the world and can accommodate over a million worshippers at any given time. It remains Islam’s second holiest site, and has been expanded at least 14 times in the 1,400 years of Islamic history.
The expansion project he worked on, Asadi said, was a historic project during King Fahd’s rule and was “nothing less than an architectural miracle.”
“The expansion of the mosque is in fact one of the most beautiful gifts of the Kingdom to the whole Muslim world,” he said.
Asadi, who has written a lyrical book on Saudi Arabia’s ties with Pakistan, said the Kingdom’s people were “peaceful, hospitable and generous” and above all, loyal friends.
“They love their traditions and always find ways to help their Muslim brothers across the globe,” Asadi said. “Saudi people, like their government, love Pakistanis a lot … they have always contributed generously to help Pakistanis in difficult times like earthquakes, floods. They feel the pain of Pakistanis.”
“Being a doctor I have been in touch with Saudi people for the last 38 years and have always felt their profound love for Pakistan and Pakistanis,” the doctor added.
Asadi said Pak-Saudi relations had taken a new turn under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) under whose Vision 2030 the Kingdom was destined to become an economic superpower of the world, a scenario that Pakistan would benefit greatly from.
Right from King Abdul Aziz to Crown Prince Salman, Asadi said, “they all love Pakistanis and that is a great honor for us.”
“We all look toward MBS for deeper relationship … his vision for 2030 is a great plan,” Asadi said. “Saudi Arabia surely is destined to become an economic super power and we all pray for it.”
Pakistan looks to Saudi crown prince for “deeper relationship” — Doctor Asadi
Pakistan looks to Saudi crown prince for “deeper relationship” — Doctor Asadi
- The Pakistani doctor has lived in the Kingdom for 38 years, written a book on Pak-Saudi friendship
- Moved to Madinah in 1986 to look after engineers, laborers working on the expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque
Australia says father and son carried out Sydney beach attack as Pakistan condemns violence
- Australian authorities say at least 15 people were killed in the shooting, including a 10-year-old girl
- Pakistan says it stands in solidarity with Australia, condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations
ISLAMABAD: Australian authorities said on Monday a father and son carried out a mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach during a Jewish festival, as Pakistan expressed solidarity with Australia and condemned the attack that claimed at least 15 lives.
Police said the 50-year-old father was shot dead at the scene while his 24-year-old son was wounded and taken into custody after the gunmen opened fire on crowds gathered for a Hanukkah celebration at the popular beach.
“We want to get to the bottom of this,” New South Wales police commissioner Mal Lanyon said on Monday. “We want to understand the motives behind it.”
A 10-year-old girl was among the 15 dead in Australia’s worst mass shooting for almost 30 years, while 42 more were rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds and other injuries.
Pakistan’s government said it stood with Australia following the shooting, reiterating its opposition to such incidents amid renewed militant violence at home.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences to the victims and said Pakistan condemned “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”
President Asif Ali Zardari also conveyed sympathy to the victims’ families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
“Pakistan itself a victim of terrorism, stands in solidarity with & condemns violence against innocent civilians,” he said.
Pakistan has faced a resurgence in militant attacks in recent months, particularly in its northwest. On Sunday, Sharif praised security forces after they killed 13 militants in two separate operations in the Mohmand and Bannu districts, according to a statement from his office.
Australian police said the attackers fired from a raised boardwalk overlooking the beach, sending people fleeing in panic. Authorities later discovered what they described as an improvised explosive device in a vehicle parked near the scene, which they believe was linked to the attackers.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said tougher gun controls may be needed, including limits on the number of firearms an individual can own, after police confirmed the father held licenses for six weapons believed to have been used in the attack.
Mass shootings have been rare in Australia since sweeping gun law reforms were introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, but Albanese said the latest attack required authorities to reassess whether existing controls remained sufficient.
With input from AFP
