ISLAMABAD, June 1: Imam-i-Kaaba Al Sheikh Abdur Rehman Al Sudais on Friday called upon Muslims to shun sectarianism and extremism because these traits had no place in Islam.

Stressing the need for adopting a moderate approach towards each other’s beliefs, he said that the Ummah was capable of meeting all challenges.

In his Friday sermon at the Faisal Mosque here, Sheikh Sudais called upon the faithful to forge unity in their ranks, and said: “For a single Ummah that faces one Kaaba there should be no reason for differences.”

Highlighting brotherly ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, Sheikh Al Sudais said both countries were citadels of Islam and were trying to resolve problems common to the entire Ummah.

He said that both Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were victims of terrorism and stressed the need for peace and security to counter extremism, He urged the Ummah to follow the teachings of Islam and the Sunnah and protect each other’s rights in the real spirit of the religion.

Hundreds and thousands of people from Rawalpindi and Islamabad and adjoining areas had assembled at the mosque for Friday prayers.

Imam Al Sudais said that solution to problems faced by Muslims in Palestine, Somalia, Iraq, Kashmir and Afghanistan lay in following the teachings of Islam in letter and spirit.

"Our states, economies and cultures cannot survive without unity among Muslim states," he added.

He said Islam protected human rights and promoted harmony and brotherhood and discouraged mischievous acts.

He called for resolving conflicts through dialogue and negotiations taking into consideration social and economic benefits that could be achieved by resolving disputes.

Among those who offered the prayers led by the Imam of the Kaaba were Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, PML president SHujaat Hussain, federal ministers and parliamentarians.

More than 1,500 security personnel, traffic police and medical staff had been deployed in and around the Faisal Mosque.

Walk-through gates had been installed and physical searches were carried out to ensure security.

Later, the Imam-i-Kaaba was the guest of honour at a lunch hosted by Minister for Religious Affairs Ijazul Haq at the Punjab House.