Minister of State for Religious Affairs & Inter-Faith Harmony of Pakistan, Pir Muhammad Amin Ul Hasnat Shah, met with the President of Religious Affairs of Turkey (Diyanet), Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş. Minister Pir Muhammad Amin Ul Hasnat Shah congratulated Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş on his appointment as the President of Turkish Diyanet. While referring to the deep-rooted and brotherly Pakistan-Turkey ties, he said these relations are anchored firmly in common faith and shared history. He hoped that both countries would work together for the common causes of the Muslim Ummah. The Minister also appreciated Turkey’s role as OIC Chair in raising voice for the plight of Muslims of Kashmir, Palestine and Mayanmar.
Pir Muhammad Amin Ul Hasnat Shah also informed about the International Seerat Conference being organized on the occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi in Islamabad on 2 December 2017 and personally delivered an invitation to Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş to participate in the event.
Warmly welcoming Minister Amin Ul Hasnat Shah, Diyanet President Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş said the abiding ties of brotherhood between Turkey and Pakistan are deeply entrenched in history. He emphasized that Turkey will not forget the support given by the people of Pakistan to the people of Turkey during the War of Independence. Diyanet President said that Pakistan has a special place in the hearts of all Turks. He expressed his deep thanks for the invitation, and said it would be a privilege for him to attend the Conference and interact with Pakistani and international scholars during one of his first visits abroad after assuming office.
The two dignitaries exchanged views on ways to further promoting bilateral cooperation between their respective institutions. They agreed to enhance regular exchanges of religious scholars and students. This would benefit both sides in learning from each other’s experiences and best practices. Turkish side also offered to explore more oppurtunities for increasing the number of Pakistani students to study in Turkey on scholarship.
Ambassador of Pakistan Muhammad Syrus Qazi attended the meeting, held at the Diyanet office in Ankara. Diyanet’s senior officials were also present in the meeting. Minister Pir Muhammad Amin Ul Hasnat Shah also called on Dr. Ibrahim Altan, Director General of Turkish Red Crescent (Turk Kizilayi) and discussed projects to ameliorate human sufferings in the region.