ISLAMABAD: King Faisal has offered to defray the total cost of the proposed central mosque in Islamabad, which was announced by President Ayub Khan at the banquet given by the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia at Hotel Shahrzad, in Islamabad tonight [April 21].

The President’s announcement was received with long and loud applause.

The President said that this “generous and noble offer has been accepted”, and he thanked the King on behalf of the people of Pakistan.

The Capital Development Authority plans to build a grand mosque in the heart of the Capital. The CDA has already asked Pakistan envoys in Muslim countries to suggest the names of senior architects in those countries for designing the mosque, it is learnt.

The CDA is likely to appoint a committee of these architects to prepare the blueprint for the mosque.

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies from Jeddah,] great display has been given by the Saudi Arabian Press to the brotherly relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan (as partly covered in ‘Dawn’ of April 21) and to the big welcome accorded to King Faisal in Karachi.

On April 16 the daily “Ukaz” said: “Pakistan is the only country in this world which was built on the basis of Islamic belief, civilisation and high values.”

Describing the geographical and social variations in East and West Pakistan, the paper said “with all these variations they are one and belong to one nation. They speak various languages but they greet each other with Assalam.o.Alaikum.”

“This Salam and Takbir unite them and make them members of one family. Their unity is an article of faith and not political slogan.”

“Al-Bilad” editorially welcoming the visit said: “This reminds us of our first contact with that region and the arrival of Mohammad Bin Kassem.” It also said: “May God save the country which is proud of its belief and people who are ready to sacrifice everything except Islam.”

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2016