ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has decided to confer one of the highest civilian awards of the country on Muslim World League (MWL) chief Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, a statement from Zardari’s office said on Sunday, in recognition of his services to promote interfaith harmony and cooperation among the Muslim Ummah.
Dr. Al-Issa, the secretary-general of the MWL, is considered a leading global voice for moderation, dialogue and cooperation between various cultures and faiths. The MWL is an independent organization based in Makkah, featuring members from all Islamic countries and sects, that fosters interfaith harmony.
“President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the conferment of the Nishan-e-Khidmat (Order of Service) on Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League,” the office of the president said in a statement.
“The president approved the award in recognition of Dr. Al-Issa’s contributions to promoting interfaith harmony, moderation, stronger cooperation among the Muslim Ummah, and his distinguished services to the Islamic world.”
The statement said Zardari also approved awarding an honorary doctorate in Islamic Studies and International Relations to Dr. Al-Issa by the National University of Modern Languages (NUML).
The Nishan-e-Khidmat, which translates as “Order of Service,” is recognized as one of the country’s highest civil awards that is conferred in recognition of distinguished public service or significant contributions in various fields.
The MWL chief has visited Pakistan in the past and held talks with the country’s senior leadership on promoting interfaith harmony and various issues concerning the Muslim Ummah.
