ISLAMABAD: Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, the secretary-general of the Muslim World League (MWL), is expected to meet with President Asif Ali Zardari today, Tuesday, as confirmed by an official from Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry.
The MWL is a Makkah-based non-governmental organization that represents followers of Islam around the world.
Dr. Al-Issa arrived in Islamabad late Sunday night on a nine-day trip aimed at fostering interfaith harmony and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s bilateral relations with Pakistan.
“It is his nine-day-long visit during which he will hold high-level meetings with Pakistan’s president, prime minister and minister of religious affairs,” Muhammad Umer Butt, a ministry spokesperson, told Arab News.
“It is expected that the visiting dignitary will meet President Asif Ali Zardari today,” he said, adding that Al-Issa planned to spend Eid at an orphanage run by his organization in Islamabad and lead the Eid prayers in Islamabad’s iconic Faisal Mosque.
“The MWL secretary-general will sign an MOU [memorandum of understanding] with the government of Pakistan for the establishment of a state-of-the-art Seerat-un-Nabi Museum in the federal capital,” he said, adding that Dr. Al-Issa would also perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the museum after signing the MOU on April 15.
The museum will be the first of its kind in Pakistan dedicated to exhibiting relics related to the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) life.
Butt said the visiting dignitary participated in an iftar-dinner on Monday night at the Saudi embassy where he interacted with Pakistani cabinet members and others high-profile officials.
According to the MWL’s Pakistan office, Dr. Al-Issa will also be the chief guest at a prize distribution ceremony among young “huffaz” who have memorized the Holy Qur’an at the Convention Center in Islamabad on April 13.
He will return to Saudi Arabia on April 15.
Dr. Al-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.
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.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong trade, defense, and cultural ties. The Kingdom is home to over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates and serves as the top destination for remittances to the cash-strapped South Asian country.
