Iranian embassy observes Al-Quds Day

Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Honardoost hosted a large iftar dinner in the Islamabad Serena Hotel this week on Al-Quds Day, the last Friday of Ramazan.

Quds is the Arabic name for Jerusalem and it was initiated by Iran in 1979 in support of the Palestinian cause. Quds Day is marked in several Arab and Muslim countries, and by other, mainly Muslim communities around the world.

The event was well attended by local and foreign guests, including diplomats.

The chief guests on the occasion were former Senate chairman Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Punjab Governor M. Rafique Rajwana, Senator Mian Attique and other dignitaries.

“The Iranian ambassador has gained very high respect over the years he has been in Pakistan,” a local guest said.

Another guest said: “I am glad that Pakistan is close to Iran, it is an important neighbour to the west, with its long and strong cultural and religious traditions.”

A local businessman said that there is room for expansion of cooperation with Iran in many fields of the private sector.

“We can also learn from Iran’s impressive achievements in education, especially university education for women. They are far ahead of us,” said a Pakistani woman.

Azeri ambassador holds Children’s Day iftar

Ambassador Ali Alizada of Azerbaijan hosted an iftar dinner on the occasion of the International Children’s Day, drawing attention to children with special education needs, a concern of the Azerbaijan President Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva.

Ms Aliyeva is a goodwill ambassador to Unesco, and to Isesco, the Islamic organisation for the same sectors. The event in Islamabad was honouring special education children.

Mr Alizada said that Azerbaijan gives attention to children’s welfare and protection. In Pakistan, he said Azerbaijan began its assistance through the Heydar Aliyev Foundation with the building of a girls’ school in Kashmir and had since expanded its assistance to the socials sectors in all provinces. In his speech, the ambassador said that ‘disability is not inability, what they need is protection, support and love’.

Mayor of Islamabad Sheikh Anser Aziz was the chief guest on the occasion, and in his speech he said he was impressed by the Azerbaijan Foundation’s work.

Special children from different schools performed on the occasion, and at the end, dignitaries distributed gifts to the children.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2018