Masjid-i-Nabvi imam arrives in Pakistan on a 7-day goodwill visit

Published August 8, 2024
Dr Salah Bin Mohammad Al-Budair, the imam (prayer leader) of Masjid-i-Nabvi, arrive in Islamabad on Thursday.—Photo courtesy: Radio Pakistan
Dr Salah Bin Mohammad Al-Budair, the imam (prayer leader) of Masjid-i-Nabvi, arrive in Islamabad on Thursday.—Photo courtesy: Radio Pakistan

Dr Salah Bin Mohammad Al-Budair, the imam (prayer leader) of Masjid-i-Nabvi in Saudi Arabia, arrived in Islamabad on Thursday on a seven-day visit, the Ministry of Religious Affairs said in a statement.

Masjid-i-Nabvi, or the Prophet’s (PBUH) mosque, is the second largest mosque and the holiest site in Islam after the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah. It is revered by all Muslims across the world.

“The Imam of Masjid-i-Nabvi, Dr Salah Bin Mohammad Al-Budair, has arrived in Pakistan on a seven-day goodwill visit,” the ministry said in a post on the X platform.

The imam was received by Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhary Salik Hussain, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Saeed Al Malkiy, and Religious Affairs Secretary Zulfiqar Haider at the airport, it added.

Separately, the spokesperson for the ministry said in a statement that the imam will lead Friday prayers at Faisal Mosque in Islamabad.

“The imam will also meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and other leaders from the country,” the statement said, adding that Dr Al-Budair will also meet with scholars and visit universities.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share a strong relationship, with officials from both countries conducting frequent visits.

In April this year, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud had said that his visit to Pakistan would deliver “significant benefits” in the upcoming months by realising the potential of untapped economic development.

Separately, in a meeting between Presi­dent Asif Ali Zardari and the visiting Saudi defence minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, the two sides reiterated their resolve to work together and further enhance bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries.

Last month, Saudi Arabia eased tourist visa requirements with immediate effect for Pakistani travellers with applicants now only having to submit a bank statement showing a minimum monthly credit amount of $750 or equivalent.

Opinion

Editorial

A dying light
Updated 23 Jan, 2025

A dying light

Objections to the 26th Amendment must be settled quickly for the Supreme Court's sake.
Controversial canals
23 Jan, 2025

Controversial canals

THE Punjab government’s contentious plans to build new canals to facilitate corporate farming in the province ...
Killjoys
23 Jan, 2025

Killjoys

THE skies over Lahore have fallen silent. Punjab’s latest legislation banning kite flying represents a troubling...
Errant ECP
Updated 22 Jan, 2025

Errant ECP

THE ECP has once again earned a detailed reprimand from the Supreme Court. That it still refuses to correct course is ominous
Fast-tracking M6
Updated 22 Jan, 2025

Fast-tracking M6

GRAND infrastructure projects in Pakistan often progress at the pace of a bullock cart rather than a bullet train....
Gwadar airport
Updated 22 Jan, 2025

Gwadar airport

THE air connectivity established by the inauguration of PIA flights between Karachi and Gwadar is a major step...