MWL, WCRL Sign Cooperation Agreement

MWL, WCRL Sign Cooperation Agreement
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MWL, WCRL Sign Cooperation Agreement

MWL, WCRL Sign Cooperation Agreement

The Muslim World League (MWL) has signed a cooperation agreement with the World Council of Religious Leaders (WCRL), which aims to organize an international conference at the United Nations in the presence of a number of religious, intellectual and political leaders.

Secretary-general of MWL Dr. Mohammed al-Issa signed the agreement with Secretary-general of WCRL Bawa Jain on Wednesday.

Jain said the MWL has become a global and influential entity and the world has become attentive to it.

“The coexistence theories that MWL introduces has clearly become of great interest and influence,” he said.

Jain also described the MWL as the inspiration that spreads positive energy and its call for coexistence, tolerance and peace holds incredible, beautiful and influential meanings.

In this context, Adviser for international relations at the MWL Adel al-Harbi said the step constitutes a key shift in the framework of enhancing the global programs of the MWL.

The MWL has become one of the leading cultural and religious foundations around the globe in its capacity as an umbrella of the Islamic nations and its strong and influential relations, said Harbi.

He added that MWL has represented the Islamic World at a number of global forums and presented a civilized message that has maintained Islamic identity while positively coping with modernity.

The proposed conference is expected to be attended by international figures with special emphasis on environmental peacebuilding and purifying atmospheres from all materialistic and spiritual defects, including the confrontation of the extremist and terrorist ideologies that have affected intellectual moderation contexts.

This is in addition to the healthy environment that should be provided with requirements for healthy living free of any pollutants, especially the intellectual ones that unfortunately have produced extremism and terrorism that take hold of some Muslim youth from around the world, Harbi noted.



Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.