Dinner reception held for Imam of Masjid Al-Nabawi

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, hosted a dinner reception on Friday at his residence for Dr Salah bin Muhammad Al-Budair, Imam of Masjid Al-Nabawi on Saturday.

The event was attended by a delegation from Saudi Arabia, including Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Secretary of Religious Affairs Zulfiqar Haider, Additional Secretary Dr. Syed Atta-ur-Rehman, Secretary Overseas Pakistanis Asad Saleem, and other notable guests.

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During the reception, Dr Salah bin Muhammad led the Isha prayer and offered special prayers for the attendees and for Pakistan, as requested by the minister.

Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman hosted a separate dinner at his residence in Islamabad for th Iman of Masjid al-Nawabi.

The dinner was attended by Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed al-Maliki and members of the delegation accompanying the Imam.

At the dinner hosted by Maulana Fazl, Dr Salah bin Muhammad expressed his deep appreciation for Pakistan. He talked about the “strong relationship” between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. “Pakistan is Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia is Pakistan,” he said.

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The evening commenced with the Maghrib prayer at Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s residence. The JUI-F chief spoke about his party’s ongoing commitment to anti-sectarianism, anti-extremism, and moderation as a religious and parliamentary party in Pakistan.

Notable attendees at the event included Chairman Senate Yusuf Raza Gilani and Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq.