Oman’s Grand Mufti conferred Pakistan’s third highest civilian award
Malaysia scholar Abdul Hamid also given award by president
Islamabad: Grand Mufti of Oman and veteran religious scholar Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalili has been decorated with Pakistan’s prestigious civilian award Sitara-e-Pakistan (Star of Pakistan) in recognition of his scholarship and contribution to society.
President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi presented the award that was received by Sheikh Ahmad bin Saud Al Siabi General Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs on behalf of Grand Mufti at the Aiwan-e-Sadr (President House) on the country’s national day, March 23.
The elderly cleric could not make it due to age and health issues. Khalili’s son and Director, Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Sheikh Abdur Rahman Al Khalili however, accompanied Sheikh Siabi to receive the award.
Pakistan’s political party, Jamat-e-Islami (JI) to celebrate the award announced for the Grand Mufti of Oman hosted a reception and invited Oman’s delegation as a goodwill gesture.
Ameer (President) of JI Sirajul Haq, Naib Ameer Mian Muhammad Aslam, Director Foreign Affairs, Asif Luqman Qazi, President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) Zahid Maqbool, Member ICCI, Zafar Bakhtawari, Dr Khalid Qadomi (Palestine), former Ambassador Syed Abrar, Brig (R) Nazir Mehmand, Barrister Aziz Nishtar, university professors, eminent academicians, representatives from High Commission of Malaysia, Embassy of Iran and Palestine, media and business community attended the reception.
Sirajul Haq while felicitating the Omani officials appreciated the Pakistani government’s initiative to recognise the contribution of Oman’s Grand Mufti. He is a respected figure and the entire Islamic world feels proud of the honour bestowed on him by the government.
The Omani delegation expressed its gratitude to the JI chief and his team for the reception.
They also mentioned senior Khalili’s fondness for Pakistan’s national poet Allama Mohammed Iqbal.
At the end, souvenirs were presented to the two scholars by Sirajul Haq.
Malaysian scholar also awarded
A senior and respected religious scholar of Malaysia, Muhammad Azmi Abdul Hamid was also presented with the same by the president.
Malaysia’s Deputy Head of Mission (DHM) in Islamabad Deddy Faisal hosted a dinner for Abdul Hamid to celebrate the award given to him by the Pakistani government. The reception was also attended by Deputy Foreign Minister of Malaysia Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar.
At the JI’s reception, Sirajul Haq also commended the contribution of the Malaysian scholar for peace and prosperity and unity of the Islamic world.
