KSA always remained at forefront to serve pilgrims: Ashrafi

ISLAMABAD: Special Aide to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Interfaith Harmony and Middle East Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi has said Pakistan has endorsed Saudi Arabia’s decision to restrict Haj pilgrimage 2021 in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.

“The leadership and people of Saudi Arabia have always remained at the forefront to serve pilgrims of Haj and Umrah from all over the Muslim world,” he said while talking to the media here on Sunday ahead of his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi said the Saudi government has made a right decision in the wake of alarming situation of the coronavirus pandemic across the world. “The Islamic Shariah also allowed to take decisions when situation becomes problematic,” he said.

He said in the prevailing scenario, when the coronavirus pandemic has put the entire world on lockdowns, the decision taken by the Saudi leadership in this regard with consultation of leading scholars of the Islamic world is laudable and the Government of Pakistan, Darul Afta Pakistan, Pakistan Ulema Council and leadership of all the religious schools of thought endorse the decision of Saudi Arabia.

Tahir Ashrafi also underlined that amidst prevailing circumstances, arrangements on part of the Saudi government for 60,000 Haj pilgrims is best undertaking.

Responding to a question, he said the Pakistan’s Ministry for Religious Affairs is in continuous coordination with the Ministry of Haj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia. He said Saudi Arabia used to take decisions on Haj and Umrah following the consultation of religious scholars of the Muslim world.

In reply to another question, Tahir Ashrafi said the Pak-Afghan Ulema Conference, which was held with cooperation of Saudi Arabia, will not either favour or oppose any particular group in Afghanistan. He said the Pak-Afghan Ulema Conference was held with sole objective of peace and stability in Afghanistan.

He said Saudi Arabia and the Muslim world used to play respective roles for peace in the world besides addressing confronting issues of the Islamic Ummah. He said peace in Afghanistan is very important for peace in region and Pakistan. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have the same desire to make an end to bloodshed in this region.

Commenting on a question of the media, Tahir Ashrafi said elements, who conspired to create disputes between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, have failed in their conspiracies.