The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar, arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to participate in an extraordinary session of the OIC Executive Committee.
Arrival and Reception at Medina Airport
Senator Ishaq Dar landed at Medina Airport, where he received a warm welcome from Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Farooq, and the Director General of the Medina Branch of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ibrahim bin Mohammed Saeed. This cordial reception indicates the strong bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, built on shared respect and cooperation.
Religious Observances in Medina
While there, he availed himself of opportunities for religious observance at some of Islam’s most sacred sites; he performed Zuhur and Asr prayers at Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, or The Prophet’s Mosque — one of the holiest places in Islam. The calmness around this mosque offers peace conducive for meditation through toplications.
Besides praying inside the Prophet’s Mosque, Senator Dar also visited Mount The Uhud. This historic place bears significance within Islamic history as it saw the Battle of Uhud fought the ack in 625 AD. Paying tributes to those who laid down their lives during such battles as well as praising their contribution towards early Islamic history, awareness indicates high regard shown for these occasions & personalities among Muslims worldwide. The calmness around this mosque offers peace conducive to meditation through supplications.
Besides praying inside the Prophet’s Mosque, Senator Dar also visited Mount Uhud. This historic place bears significance within Islamic history as it saw the Battle of Uhud fought back in 625 AD. Paying tributes to those who laid down their lives during such battles as well as praising their contribution towards early Islamic history awareness indicates high regard shown for these occasions & personalities among Muslims worldwide.
Significance of the OIC Meeting
The ongoing OIC Executive Committee session, which Senator Dar is attending, is significant for member states. With 57 members, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation is the second largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations. It aims to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world while working towards international peace and harmony.
This gathering will address key contemporary challenges Muslims face today, focusing on political economy and social issues. The discussion will aim to foster greater collaboration among member nations through strategic approaches. Topics like the Palestine situation, Rohingya Muslims’ predicament, and ongoing conflicts in various Muslim countries are likely to dominate discussions.
Enhancing Bilateral Relations
Senator Dar’s attendance at this high-level meeting demonstrates Pakistan’s active participation in the OIC and its dedication to addressing the collective concerns of the Muslim Ummah. Moreover, his visit presents a chance to reinforce respective ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, which is viewed as one of the vital individuals from this association.
From the Pakistani standpoint, this major diplomatic engagement highlights the country’s proactive approach to international Islamic platforms and seeks closer relations with other Muslim states. As more talks and interactions occur during Senator Ishaq Dar’s stay there, so should we expect them to serve as catalysts behind increased involvement by Islamabad within the wider framework of OIC vis-a-vis its interaction with Riyadh?
