ISLAMABAD: The British royal palace has released some more information about the planned visit by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, to Pakistan, reflecting their interest in visiting a considerable number of locations in the country.
Scheduled to tour Pakistan from October 14 to 18, it will be the first visit by the young generation of British royals to Pakistan and first from the royal family since 2006 when The Duke and Duchess of Cornwell, Prince Charles and Camilla, visited the country.
The press release, calling the visit the most “complex” of all the royal tours taken, gave vague but promising details on the couple’s visit that will cover a lot of ground.
“Whilst The Duke and Duchess’s program will pay respect to the historical relationship between Britain and Pakistan, it will largely focus on showcasing Pakistan as it is today – a dynamic, aspirational and forward-looking nation,” read the release. “From the modern leafy capital Islamabad to the vibrant city of Lahore, the mountainous countryside in the North, and the rugged border regions to the West.”
The release states that the visit “will span over 1000 km” and will be focusing on seeing the country and meeting as many of the population as they can.
“As with previous overseas visits, The Duke and Duchess have asked that this tour allow them opportunities to meet as many Pakistanis as possible. Over the course of the visit, Their Royal Highnesses will meet a wide variety of people, including children and young people, leaders from government, business and the charity sector, inspiring conservationists, and well-known cultural figures and sporting stars.”
The royals will be visiting programs targeting young people, particularly in realms of education and building foundations with an emphasis on helping women achieve their highest potential. Additionally, they will be meeting with communities in Pakistan most affected and working the hardest to combat climate change, an issue the press release says is “a key area of interest” for the royals.
The royals recently attended an event at the Aga Khan Center in London as guests of Prince Karim Aga Khan, an event that was reported as part of the official announcement stating the royals’ plans to visit Pakistan.
Kate, William to explore much of Pakistan during ‘complex’ royal visit
Kate, William to explore much of Pakistan during ‘complex’ royal visit
- The tour will begin on October 14 and conclude on October 18
- The visit will span over 1000 kilometers, helping the royal couple meet with as many Pakistanis as possible
Pakistan to host week-long Qur’an recitation gathering at Faisal Mosque starting tonight
- Religious affairs ministry says ‘Mehfil-e-Shabeena’ will run from 21st to 27th night of Ramadan
- Daily recitations of four to five Qur’an sections to conclude with completion prayer on 27th night
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry on Tuesday said it will organize a week-long Qur’an recitation event known as “Mehfil-e-Shabeena” from the 21st to the 27th night of Ramadan at Islamabad’s iconic Faisal Mosque.
Mehfil-e-Shabeena is a devotional gathering held during Ramadan in which large portions of the Qur’an are recited at night in congregation. In Pakistan, such events are often organized during the final days of the holy month, with reciters completing the entire Qur’an over several nights of extended prayers.
“The seven-day Mehfil-e-Shabeena will formally begin today at Faisal Mosque,” the ministry said in a statement. “Each day, four to five sections of the Qur’an will be recited.”
The statement added that a special prayer will be offered on the 27th night after the completion of the recitation of the Holy Qur’an.
The event will be broadcast live on state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) and Radio Pakistan.
Renowned Qur’an reciters, known as qaris, have gathered in the capital to participate in the event.
Muslims around the world visit mosques more frequently during the last ten nights of Ramadan, considered the most blessed period of the holy month, when believers spend late hours offering voluntary prayers and reciting the Qur’an.
Muslims believe that one of these odd-numbered nights is the “Night of Power,” when the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The Faisal Mosque is a landmark of Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. Spread over more than 54,000 square feet, it can accommodate over 250,000 worshippers at a time.
It is the largest mosque in Pakistan and among the largest mosques in the world.
Unlike traditional Islamic structures featuring domes, it was built along clean modern lines resembling the tents used by nomadic Arab tribes, with sloping roofs and a distinctive angular design.
