ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday met with Muslim World League (MWL) Secretary-General Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa and lauded him for his valuable contributions for the promotion of true image of Islam around the world, PM Sharif’s office said.
Dr. Al-Issa arrived in Islamabad on April 7 on a nine-day trip aimed at fostering interfaith harmony and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s bilateral relations with Pakistan. The MWL is a Makkah-based non-governmental organization that represents followers of Islam around the world.
In his meeting with the MWL secretary-general in Islamabad, PM Sharif thanked Dr. Al-Issa for visiting Pakistan on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr and conveyed his best wishes for King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“He [Sharif’s] also acknowledged the critical role of Muslim World League in developing unity among the Muslim Ummah, advocating for Muslim causes around the world and in spreading the message of peace, tolerance and inter-faith harmony,” the PM’s office said in a statement.
“Extending his best wishes to the Secretary General for the success of his ongoing visit, the Prime Minister assured him of Pakistan’s continued support and partnership with the Muslim World League.”
Sharif underscored that Pakistan attached utmost importance to its strong fraternal ties with Saudi Arabia that were rooted in common faith, shared values and culture, according to the statement. The MWL secretary-general praised the prime minister for his commitment and efforts to further strengthen ties between the two countries.
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.
Saudi Arabia has also often come to cash-strapped Pakistan’s aid by regularly providing the South Asian country oil on deferred payment facilities and offering direct financial support to help stabilize its economy and shore up its foreign exchange reserves.
During his ongoing visit to Pakistan, Dr. Al-Issa has delivered the Eid Al-Fitr sermon at the Shah Faisal Mosque in Islamabad and visited an orphanage in the Pakistani capital, where he shared the joy of Eid Al-Fitr with orphaned children.
In his sermon, Al-Issa called on Muslims to keep Palestinians close to their hearts and in their prayers as they celebrated Eid. He also spoke about the responsibility of Muslims to use their actions to project Islam in its true light.