ISLAMABAD: Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, the secretary-general of the Muslim World League (MWL) arrived in Islamabad late Sunday night for a nine-day visit to the country, Pakistan’s religion ministry said, during which he will lead the Eid Al-Fitr prayer at the Faisal Mosque this week.
The MWL is a Makkah-based non-governmental organization that represents followers of Islam around the world. Dr. Al-Issa is described by the AWL as a “trailblazer” for forging partnerships among different communities, faiths and nations. He is also a renowned Saudi religious scholar and has had the honor of delivering the Hajj sermon or Khutbah in 2022.
Dr. Issa and his delegation were welcomed at the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi upon arrival Sunday night by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood and Dr. Syed Ata Ur Rehman, the federal secretary of Pakistan’s religion ministry.
“Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa will spend Eid with orphans at the orphanage center in Islamabad managed by the Muslim World League,” Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony (MoRA) said in a statement. “The MWL secretary-general will lead Eid prayers at the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad.”
Dr. Issa will meet Pakistan’s Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa at the Supreme Court today before meeting President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday. The MWL secretary-general is expected to deliver the Eid sermon and lead the special prayer at the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad on Wednesday at 08:00 a.m. following which he would head back to the Ali bin Abi Talib Orphanage in Islamabad.
Dr. Issa will meet PM Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday before performing the groundbreaking of the “Seerat-un-Nabi Museum,” the first museum of its kind in Pakistan which would be dedicated to showcasing relics of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), on Monday, April 15. He will leave for Saudi Arabia the same day.
Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi said Dr. Issa’s visit will promote inter-faith and inter-sect harmony in Pakistan, as well as foster stronger ties between Islamabad, Riyadh and the Muslim World League.
“Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa leading the Eid prayers and that too specifically at the Shah Faisal Mosque is proof of the strong ties Pakistan enjoys with Saudi Arabia and the Muslim World League,” Ashrafi said in an audio message released to media.
Ashrafi said the MWL had always supported Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir and Palestine, and has always raised its voice for the oppressed.
Dr. Issa was conferred with the prestigious Hilal-e-Imtiaz award in 2022 by Pakistan’s then president Dr. Arif Alvi for humanitarian efforts and for his role in strengthening Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations.
The Hilal-e-Imtiaz or Crescent of Excellence is bestowed upon both civilian and military officials, and is open to Pakistani nationals and foreign citizens who have made significant contributions to the country’s security or national interests, world peace, cultural or other public endeavors.
