ISLAMABAD: National Assembly (NA) Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf on Tuesday inaugurated a three-day photo exhibition showcasing the Islamic architectural heritage of Hungary, organised in connection with the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Constitution.

The NA speaker said that the Hungarian nation was one of the first European nations, which demonstrated peaceful co-existence between Muslim and Christian communities. He said that the photographs reflected the rich Islamic footprints left by the Ottoman empire in Europe.

Organised by the NA Secretariat in collaboration with the Hungarian Embassy in Parliament House today, he said that Hungary was different from other parts of the Ottoman empire not only for economic and social but also for cultural reasons.

He also said that the peaceful co-existence of Christians and Muslims was well demonstrated by the law adopted among the first in Europe by the Hungarian Parliament in 1916 which granted Islam the status of a legally recognised religion of Hungary. He also appreciated cooperation between governments of both Hungary and Turkiye which were working towards preserving Islamic cultural heritage of the Ottoman Empire in Hungary.

He expressed hope that Parliament to Parliament contacts between both nations would enhance mutual close ties between them.

Member of National Assembly (MNA) Mehnaz Akbar Aziz, who is convener of Pakistan-Hungary Parliamentary Friendship Group thanked the speaker for encouraging inclusivity in Parliament.

While talking about close ties between Pakistan and Hungary, she appreciated the initiative of the Hungarian government for enhancing educational scholarships for Pakistani students in Hungary. She said that inclusivity was the hall mark of the Constitution of Pakistan and this exhibition also indicated the efforts of the Hungarian government to promote inclusivity, irrespective of religion.

Hungarian Ambassador Bela Fazekas appreciated cooperation extended by the speaker for organising this exhibition. He also said that Hungary had rich history of Ottoman architecture in a non-Muslim European cultural environment.

He further added that rich Ottoman Islamic architectural heritage represented by well preserved and renovated minarets, mosques and tombs were designed by the finest architects of the era.

Turkiye Ambassador Mehmet Pacaci said that Ottoman architecture in Hungary was a mix of eastern and western elements as Ottoman architects incorporated Islamic patterns. He congratulated and thanked Ambassador Bela Fazekas for exhibiting the commendable exhibition in the National Assembly of Pakistan.

Furthermore, he thanked the speaker for organising the exhibition. The inauguration ceremony was attended by parliamentarians, members of the diplomatic community and media.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2023