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PESHAWAR, Jul 28 (APP): A high-level Pakistani delegation comprising religious scholars, Islamic clerics and politicians, led by Muhammad Ali Saif on Monday reached Beijing for a multi-day visit aimed at strengthening religious, cultural, and educational ties between Pakistan and China.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs warmly welcomed the delegation. As part of their visit, the delegation toured China’s first official mosque and met with senior officials of the Islamic Association of China, including its Chairman and Vice Chairman, according to a press release issued here.
During the briefing, the Chairman of the Islamic Association shared that China currently has around 35,000 mosques, 55,000 Imams, and more than a dozen Islamic centers.
In Beijing alone, 72 mosques are active. The Association operates through eight sub-departments across the country, which host nationwide competitions, and translations of the Qur’an and Hadith in Chinese are widely available. He also noted that 10,000 Chinese pilgrims performed Hajj this year, and many students have been sent to Al-Azhar University in Egypt for Islamic education.
The Chinese officials expressed heartfelt appreciation for Pakistani nationals whenever they met them, calling it a source of joy.
Saif thanked China’s religious leadership on behalf of Pakistan and termed the visits to cities like Urumqi, Kashgar, and Beijing highly beneficial.
The Pakistani delegation invited Chinese Islamic leaders to visit Pakistan and offered free education, accommodation and other facilities for Chinese students in Pakistani religious institutions.
The delegation also presented the message of “Paigham-e-Pakistan”, emphasizing its importance and gifted books related to the initiative. Both sides exchanged souvenirs, marking the visit as a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral religious, educational and cultural ties.