Pakistan and Turkey agree to increase mutual cooperation in religious affairs

ANKARA: Minister for Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf met with the President of Religious Affairs of Turkey (Diyanet) Prof. Dr. Mehmet Gormez and exchanged views on ways to deepen the bilateral cooperation between their respective institutions.

Sardar Muhammad Yousaf highlighted the deep-rooted, multifaceted fraternal ties between Pakistan and Turkey anchored firmly in common faith and shared history.  He apprised the Turkish dignitary of the measures taken by Pakistan in the domain of religious affairs such as establishment of the Ulema and Mashaikh Council for promoting religious and interfaith harmony, reform of religious education and enhanced arrangements for Haj and Umra.

He also informed about the International Seerat Conference being organised on Eid Miladun Nabi at Lahore and personally delivered an invitation to Prof. Dr. Mehmet Gormez to participate.

Warmly welcoming Minister Sardar Yousaf, Diyanet President Prof. Dr. Mehmet Gormez underscored the abiding ties of brotherhood between Turkey and Pakistan and the tradition of mutual support going far back in history.

He expressed his deep thanks for the invitation noting that it would be a privilege for him to attend the conference and interact with Pakistani and international scholars. President Gormez also highlighted the myriad functions of Diyanet and provided details of the extensive work being done by it inside Turkey and abroad.

The two dignitaries emphasised the importance of regular exchanges of religious scholars, officials and students between Pakistan and Turkey. They agreed that such exchanges would benefit both sides in learning from each other’s experiences and best practices.