LAHORE, May 24: Imam-i-Kaaba Sheikh Abdur Rehman Assadeed is scheduled to arrive here on May 27 on a week-long state visit during which he will also pay a visit to Islamabad.

The Imam is arriving here on an invitation extended to him by the Jamia Ashrafia management to confer degrees upon teachers and graduates passing out from the seminary at a ceremony to be held at the Aiwan-i-Iqbal on May 28.

Jamia’s vice-principal Maulana Fazal Rahim told a news conference here on Thursday that Imam Assadeed would be given a protocol like a head of state.

During his stay in Lahore, the Imam will be meeting delegations and leading the Fajr prayers at the Jamia on the first two days. He will also lead the Maghrib prayers at Badshahi Masjid on May 28.

Flanked by Jamia’s chief administrator Hafiz Asad Ubaid, Maulana Mohammad Yousuf Khan, Maulana Akram Kashmiri, Hafiz Zubair Hasan and Maulana Mujibur Rehman Inqilabi, Maulana Rahim said the Imam would be accompanied by Sheikh Nasir bin Ali and Ustad Yousuf Mohammad during the visit.

Saudi ambassador and other diplomats would also remain present during the Imam’s stay in the city.